I think if we are honest we would hate this current situation if we hadn't got promoted.
It's a lot easier to wish your rival "well" when we have done the double over them and are already promoted.
They are one of the best footballing sides in the division to watch on the eye. They pass n move with intent because they have players like Wakins that can hurt you. They keep hold of the ball rentention wise much better than Argyle. Something we could learn from. It's looks simple but Argyle make it damn hard work and would benefit from being less careless.
However, if you watch both games just as you think why didn't they finish in the top 3 the answer stares you in the face. Yes, they were by far the better side in both games BUT they crumbled TWICE all too easily. Carlisle were dead and buried in both games. Yet, to their credit, they came back. You could argue that shows great character but you must also look at the defending. Both 3rd goals Carlise scored (home & away) were from good crosses but a physical presence in the box seemed too much for Exeter to handle. Blackpool have a couple of big units so will be interesting to see how they handle them. Wembley though should suit Exeter's game.
I can now see why Argyle though beat Exeter. For whilst they probably played a better style/brand of football than Argyle throughout the season, Argyle were a much more resilient, battle hardened team. You can argue, at times we were fortunate, e.g. Doncaster away, but it has to be said we were better as a defensive unit it would seem. When we went 1-0 up, we would normally take something out of the game. We would, especially away from home, kill the game off. It's an art. Something where l do wonder if this Exeter side can do after losing 2 goal leads twice and all too quickly.
At the start of the season l said somewhere on here they were my dark horses to watch in this league. I do want them to get promoted for two reasons. One, as l often said lm don't see them as serious rivals which is maybe why l can say they have played some of the best football, along with Doncaster & Portsmouth, but done it on an incredible less sizeable budget. Two, l had a cheeky bet on them to get promoted via the playoffs because l thought with Wheeler, Watkins, Grant and Reid they would have enough fire power to score the goals to get them over the line. Although when the big game came, he dropped Reid so l found that was interesting.
I look back last year when we made it to Wembley. I was buzzing. However, if you lose it makes the whole event/day really sickening. The stress and emotions you go through are a real torture, even if you win. Yes it's a great day out. Yes it's a brilliant way to get promoted but you then your still 3/4 weeks behind everyone's else as preparation wise teams get a head start on you knowing what league they are in next season. Your always playing catch up. The europhia of winning wil probably get you through the summer and help you into a brand new season. Yet if you don't win, it can have the reverse effect. That's what makes what Adams did even more remarkable when you look back this season.
He had less preparation time to build a squad than other managers. He then recruited a whole brand new playing squad, except a few core individuals he wanted to remain onto. He then had to get the club over the emotions of losing a playoff final and a terrible start of this season's league campaign. Finally, he then eradicated the memories of last season by not limping over the line.
So while City now have their day at Wembley, and good luck to them, lm for one glad it isn't us and that our season was completed a few weeks back and we can just sit back and enjoy what pre-season has install for us.
Oh and if we are looking for a player who can cross a ball, look no further than Carlise's Adams. Makes Wylde look very average when you see his quality of deliveries. A terrific player. Him and Carey in the same team would be very exciting.