Manager Paul Hurst was scathing about his side’s performance after they exited the Carabao Cup to Exeter 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Asked whether he was particularly disappointed with the second half display, Hurst responded: “I was disappointed with the performance in the first half. We can pretend we passed it at times. I think we had a couple more efforts in the second half which tested the keeper more.

“It was too slow, too pedestrian, people were not really playing where they were supposed to. Therefore, didn’t make it anywhere near as fluid as it needed to be.

“I didn’t think we worked hard enough in possession, I didn’t think we worked hard enough out of possession.

“A couple of times, and the players will be shown, Exeter players were running past ours far to easily.

“I’m not having it that they’ve got players who were a lot faster or a lot fitter, stronger or whatever it is.

“So the players will be made aware of that, we’ll go through it. So, not just second half for me.”

He says home truths were told at half-time and at the end: “They needed to be. I’ve said what I am, I’m honest, I say what I think, say what I see. That’s what I saw.

“If we honestly feel that we were anywhere close to what we should be and lost the game, like I said, with all due respect to the players Exeter have got and they put out, it wasn’t their strongest team.

“We should have controlled that game, we didn’t. Another pathetic goal to concede and at the end one or two attacks but too little too late.”

Hurst says he hadn’t seen that display coming following the first two matches: “No, not at all. I made a couple of changes but again I don’t think that’s the contributing factor to that performance.

“I’m massive on the facts of what goes on between your ears and how you approach things and clearly our attitude wasn’t right for tonight.”

Following the game he says the players need to stand up and be counted and show a reaction.

“There are some massive games in front of us that in some ways people will, I dare say, say they’re good games for us, but if we play like that they won’t be good games for us, that’s for sure.

“And it’ll start at training, we’ll see now who wants to step up, who’s going to shy away and not be the type of character that we need moving forward. So yes, a lot of questions to be answered from tonight.”

He dismissed the suggestion that there might be an excuse given it’s a young squad which is in the process of gelling: “No, not at all.”

Are there enough characters in the squad? “That’s what we’ve got to clearly have. As I was just saying, if one or two are trying to ease their way in they’ve got to step up quicker, find their feet, find their voice, find the performances to make a difference and do what they want to do.

“I spoke before about people being at the football club not to be the limit of their ambitions. But performances like that and there’s only one way everyone will go and that won’t be moving on to better things.

“So we’ve got to dig deep, do some soul searching. Again I really like the phrase about looking in the mirror and being honest. Have they given everything? Have they prepared correctly? All of those things.

“Because somewhere along the line clearly something wasn’t right in terms of that performance.”

While most fans will understand it’s going to take time for the team to come together after the summer changes, some will be starting to get concerned after three games without a win at the start of the season.

“Yes, of course, and that’s natural. That performance worries me,” Hurst admitted. “But I don’t think it’s a true reflection of what we’ve got, in all honesty.

“I think we’ve seen that in the other two performances. Take the result aside from Rotherham, the performance for large parts was good and encouraging.

“But that, like I say, was night and day in comparison. I understand people having concerns.”

Will he be getting the players in for extra training in the next few days having flown back this evening?

“The issue is as much as we’re trying to do things right and get back as soon as possible, I’m not sure getting them in tomorrow is particularly the right way forward, so I think we’ll wait until Thursday,” he said.

“But we won’t be not working hard, that’s for sure. Like I said, some of the players will be shown some things as well that are unacceptable and I don’t want to see them again.

“As hard as it was to take losing the game on Saturday, you can get over it slightly because I felt like players gave their all, there were just some moments where we didn’t take advantage. Tonight I didn’t think I saw that.”

Does he believe complacency was a factor, some players perhaps believing they just needed to turn up to win away at a League Two club?

“It looked like that and I’ve got to concentrate on my team so I’ll not take anything away from Exeter, who have had a great pre-season, haven’t been beat, won their first two league games and are a team clearly in confident mood,” he added.

“But I thought we had some bits of play early on that we showed that we should have control of it, we got ourselves in front and then really you’re looking to kick on from that. But I didn’t see any evidence of that.

“We had one or two bits of pressure but at the same time they also looked like they could add to the scoreline.

“So it has to come into it, it’s got to because if we were our best then I think we win the game.”

Does the display change his thoughts regarding further recruitment? “I think every time you set foot on the pitch and you witness things unfolding in front of you, naturally you’re always assessing.

“I’ve got to do that and got some time before Saturday to think about that and what’s the best way forward for us.

“But, yes, it certainly throws up some questions I’ve got to try and answer. Obviously we’re in a position where there’s only so much business we can do and we’ve got to try and get that right.”

Hurst says there’s nothing new on any ins or outs on loan: “Not as we speak now. Like I said, things can happen very quickly but on tonight’s evidence we need more in than we will do, I’m sure.

“But I’m sure I’m expecting some of those players to step up and show they’re much better players than they did tonight.

One positive on the night was the return of Teddy Bishop and Danny Rowe as subs after long spells out.

“Good to get them back out there, they’ve both been missing for some time and in some ways I felt for Teddy in terms of missing the penalty but apart from a natural disappointment he doesn’t need to be too down about that,” he said.

“Yes, if it gets to that stage you want to come out on the right side of it, but it should have been over before that. So I’m pleased for them and a step forward in the right direction for them.”

Are the duo in consideration for the 18 in the Championship? “Again that’s something I’ve got to really give some thought to. Can they give us enough off the bench?

“You don’t have to put them on straight away but if they are on there and something happens, then have we got the options; if it was an early substitution it wouldn’t be one of them.

“That’s part of what I have to consider. I’ll guess I’ll mull that over the next day or two.”

Exeter manager Matt Taylor was delighted that his side claimed the win, believing they got stronger as the game went on.

“Obviously pleased," he said. "First-half I felt we showed them a little too much respect, stood off them a little bit, but still created some good chances.

“The substitutions freshened us up, gave us real fresh legs and we looked like a running team for the last half hour and we probably looked like the stronger team going towards the end.

“We created some good chances. When it goes to pens it's pot luck to be honest with you, but we held our nerve, delighted for the three young boys getting game time.”

Photo: TWTD

marco007 added 08:56 - Aug 15 For me the most worrying fact was that PH seems to be questioning the players attitude and hunger. Understandably we are miles away in terms of being a joined up unit regarding tactics and formations but mental application is something else. More worrying is that these 9 new recruits are all our manager's signings and you would have thought/hoped that he would have signed players with character as well as ability!

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KiwiBlue2 added 09:02 - Aug 15 With what we have at the moment I wonder if we are best suited to 3-5-2???? Bart Nsiala Chambers Kenlock Edwards Nolan Chalobah (defensive cm) Dozzel Edun Harrison Jackson This would at least give us some more firepower and pace overall.
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BlueParadigm added 09:03 - Aug 15 It's all very well being open and honest by being critical of the team in public but how about some self reflection Paul? You brought in the new players; you lead the coaching sessions; you selected the team; you set out the formation and you set down the tactical plan you expect to be delivered for each game. Another key part of your role is to inspire and motivate the players so why aren't they listening to you?

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BlueBlood90 added 09:09 - Aug 15 He can fume all he wants but he's as much to blame. He's brought in many players where Exeter was their level last season so you can't expect us to turn and up win 4-0. Donacien doesn't even look like a League Two player to me so far, never mind a Championship player. Very concerned about him. Josh Emmanuel is far better and proved it at a higher level last year.
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Dissboyitfc added 09:15 - Aug 15 Martin587... Nsialla was the better of the 2 CB's Chambers being at fault for the freekick which led to their goal. Also i dont know who the 3 disinterested players were? It just looked disjointed to me with players clearly not carrying out their roles as instructed. PH cannot lay all the blame on the players, having reached the full time whistle and the penalty stage we should have been prepared. He said he was not going to practice penalties in his pre match conference on Monday. For a manager is seems to leave no stone unturned this disappointed me and surprised me! Awful Penalties, any one of us could have hit a better penalty than Chalobah,s attempt, he missed by a country mile! Having said all this, i am going for us to get something out of Saturday's game, in typical town fashion we always do better against the better sides.

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Bradleyblue89 added 09:19 - Aug 15 First off let's give it more than 3 games. League cup games through up all sorts of odd results. Some of the players could have been complacent and others lacking confidence. Not in any way an excuse for a poor performance, and quite rightly Hurst has come out and condemned the players for it. I'm much happier in him doing that and letting them know what is expected. Impossible to say for now whether or not he's the right man for the job. But even if he isn't it doesn't automatically follow that we were wrong to get rid of McCarthy. No matter what happens this season, McCarthy's time was up for both us and him. Let's see how we sit at Christmas and make our feelings know then.

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Bradleyblue89 added 09:20 - Aug 15 *throw
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wherescounago added 09:32 - Aug 15 You picked that team Mr Hurst, fume at yourself!!!
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Pezzer added 09:48 - Aug 15 From memory I recall PH saying he wanted to play on the front foot and include the academy players. Nydam, Downes and Dozzell had already broken through into the first team so disappointing that after saying all the right things he hasn't delivered this, with a lone striker and no N, Ds or D in the first team. I believe it will take time but as you say he won't deliver his early promises with one up front and loans rather than home grown. Not only would playing the home grown players (who we all believe are good enough) and two up front increase our chances of winning, it would also keep the fans on side and create more positive support behind the team.

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TimmyH added 10:13 - Aug 15 At least it's nice to see Hurst let rip...obviously not happy in the post match interview. You rarely got that from Mick after bad matches. As a few others have mentioned drop the culprits and by all sounds of it Chambers and Knudsen were particularly poor.
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gibbo added 10:16 - Aug 15 The only that concerns me so far with Hurst is the lack of a plan B, things are not working in front of goal so why not change things and play 2 up front instead of the like for like changes.
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Bert added 10:33 - Aug 15 Very worrying but I am not at this early stage going to attack the Manager. Evans did what most wanted but it was a risk. An even greater one now that we have given away our hard nosed strikers. Really pleased what I saw at the West Ham and Blackburn games but the Championship is such a tough league for all our newbies. Time will tell but we have no option but to support our team.

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martin587 added 10:58 - Aug 15 Dissboyitfc, You really answered your own question,players not carrying out instructions.That has to be rectified ASAP.That is down to Paul. Yes I agree we will come good and I do think we will get a result on Saturday.
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jimmyjames added 11:30 - Aug 15 Let's move on, focus on the next game and turn it around. I'm confident it'll come good. Nice to see some passion from a manager. If we outclassed them I think PH would have been the type to be proud and heap praise, so he has the right to say this isn't good enough when a really crap performance comes along. They are on decent wages, more than most of us could dream of, and tonight's performance was a sackable offence for some of the lads. In other jobs we'd have been given a warning if we were lucky if we put in an equivalent shift ... that's what PH has done here. Given them a warning. Good on him.

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timspencero added 11:37 - Aug 15 Chill out, guys. Early days. Playing totally different football. We're playing the right way. Couple of loans, start putting away one or two of the many chances, and it'll be game on...
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marinerswagepacket added 11:37 - Aug 15 most fickle fans I've ever met , it's time to come together and support our football club not bicker like little kids throwing ya toys out of the pram .... we've had 13 players leave and out of them waghorn wanted to go garner wanted to go and mcgoldrick wanted to go ... Hurst brought in players from the lower leagues the top players from the lower leagues what we all have been asking for for ages , the problem is the likes of knudsen , ward , sears our not stepping up to the plate , it takes time to blood all these new players together and I suggest 2 more in the loan window ... Hurst will sort it all out ... so get behind our football club , and come 2nd Sept when we stuff the buddies and go on a run let's all do it together ..... I.T.I.D.

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Gandj64 added 11:41 - Aug 15 Please let's show some perspective......as a supporter of 44 years I've seen and experienced a lot of good and bad times but please let's give the manager and the players a bit of time to settle ? If the fireworks are going off and the John Lewis ad is ready to air on the X factor and we are propping up the table and or not playing well ? Then fair enough have a pop ! Until then let's show some patience as I have had to in the last 44 years and get behind the team and the manager !

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TimmyH added 11:50 - Aug 15 hahaha! ...just read the EADT,marked Chambers 7 'tried to rally the troops' - really!?! though I wasn't there last night going from what I've read from posters who were there I should think they wouldn't agree.
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BigHibbs added 12:02 - Aug 15 Everybody moaned about Mick signing championship experience, now they're moaning about hurst signing Young lower league players. The upshot or it is nobody desireable wants to play for this poo
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Cakeman added 12:22 - Aug 15 Certainly time for patience. I like how Paul Hurst is open and honest. He is very respectful to the fans as well which makes for a pleasant change. I appreciate the relationship with fans can quickly change but we must remember there has been a massive change of personnel both with management and players. This rebuild could take all season and it could be that we end up in div 1. If that's the case so be it. We can climb back as long as we stick with the management and owner for that matter. If the supporters start to turn this quickly we shall be in trouble.

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Bildestoned added 12:57 - Aug 15 I'm always sceptical here whenever I see the words ‘I have it on good authority' and generally consider any such comments that might follow as entirely made-up BUT in this case I DO have it on good authority cos it came to me from the flippin' dressing room! Basically Hurst's post-match reaction went down very badly with both senior and junior players, and although I don't think it was mentioned here he threw in a ‘you're only in it for the money' insult for good measure. I'm a bit concerned tbh.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:10 - Aug 15 Assuming Dozzel and Bishop are not yet ready to start, how about: Knudsen, Nsiala, Chambers, Emmanuel; Edun, Chalobah, Nolan; Jackson, Harrison, Edwards? Given that we still seem to be hoofing quite a bit from the back, we need some midfielders who can put their foot on the ball and look around for a pass. Edun fits that bill for me, and I think he'll improve further. Nolan is also a ball player of sorts, while Chalobah can do the stopper's job. And yes, that's "two up front."

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Dissboyitfc added 13:17 - Aug 15 Martin587... players not sure or unaware of what is required of them is not the same as people not trying or caring! Its going to take a while for players to grasp the new way of playing!
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NITFC added 13:28 - Aug 15 The way I see it, we have two groups of players who are still learning and trying to make it at Championship level:- 1. Nine players that have, mostly, come from lower leagues. We have taken a gamble on their ability and previous coaching methods (possibly Nolan and Toto aside) 2. Our own young players who have grown up with the club with (presumably) excellent coaches - and for the likes of Dozzell, Downes, Nydam, Morris, etc, England youth coaching too I would suggest that our own young players just might be less of a gamble, but they are no where near the tea. Very frustrating.

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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 13:35 - Aug 15 Hmmm. Enough said.
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