Exeter City Senior Player Reece Cole Emphasizes Leadership Role Amid Youthful Changes
Reece Cole has acknowledged his increased responsibilities as one of the senior players for Exeter City this season. The 28-year-old veteran was among the most experienced members of a youthful Grecians squad that recently suffered a 1-0 defeat to Grimsby Town.
With the club undergoing significant changes following relegation and a series of summer departures, Exeter City has shifted towards integrating younger players into the team. Cole, who is starting his fourth season with the club and has made 110 appearances across all competitions, expressed his surprise at being one of the oldest players at the team.
“I’m one of the oldest boys, which at 28 years old is quite surprising,” Cole shared in an interview with BBC Radio Devon after the match. He emphasized the importance of being a supportive figure for the younger players, especially in challenging times. “I’ve got to be a shoulder for the younger lads to lean on and try and lead them in training, showing them the ropes like players did for me when I was younger.”
Cole noted the presence of a strong group of senior teammates, including Jack Fitzwater, Jake Doyle-Hayes, and Jack Bycroft, all of whom have a pivotal role in guiding the younger players. “We need to focus on our own performances while also helping the youngsters as they adapt to the demands of the season,” he stated.
He expressed optimism about the younger players’ ability to transition quickly into League Two’s competitive environment. An increased number of academy players are receiving more opportunities with the first team compared to previous seasons.
“League Two is not an easy league; it’s a very physical league,” Cole remarked. “The young lads have to learn very quickly. We’ll guide them as much as possible and provide everything they need to excel and perform within the team.”
Additionally, he highlighted the need for unity among the squad, which has only spent a short time training together. “We’re a new team. We’ve spent the last six weeks together, and the more time we have on the training pitch, the better we can prepare for our upcoming matches to earn those crucial three points,” Cole concluded.
Reece Cole says he understands his additional responsibilities as one of Exeter City’s senior players this season.
The 28-year-old was one of the most experienced members of a largely young Grecians side that lost 1-0 at Grimsby Town on Saturday.
Advertisement
Having seen a number of departures over the summer following relegation, financially-stretched City have been forced to bring in younger players.
Cole is beginning his fourth season at the club and has played 110 times in all competitions.
“I’m one of the oldest boys, which at 28 years old is quite surprising,” he told BBC Radio Devon following the game.
“At most teams you wouldn’t be one of the oldest, so I’ve got to be a shoulder for the younger lads to lean on in times like today and try and lead them in training and show them the ropes, like players have done with me when I was a youngster coming through.
Advertisement
“We’ve got a good group of senior boys, myself, Fitzy (Jack Fitzwater), Doyler (Jake Doyle-Hayes), even Jack Bycroft. We’ve got a step up to the plate and focus on our games, but then also help the youngsters.
“We’re going to need them this season, you can see there’s a lot of youngsters on the bench, there’s youngsters in the team, so they’ve got a step up to the plate but also we have to help them.”
Cole is hopeful Exeter’s younger element will swiftly adapt to the rigours of League Two.
A number of the club’s academy players are getting more chances for exposure to the first team than in previous campaigns.
Advertisement
“League Two is not an easy league, it’s a very physical league as you can see today, so the young lads have to learn very quickly,” he said.
“We’ll guide them as much as possible and give them everything that they need to learn and to come into the team and perform, so hopefully we can help them do that.”
He added: “We’re a new team. We’ve spent the last six weeks together, so hopefully the more time on the training pitch that will help guide us in the right ways for Saturdays and Tuesdays to ultimately get three points.”
[/gpt3]