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

martin587 added 13:38 - Aug 15 Dissboyitfc, I did not use the words("not caring").Yes, as I've said in my previous posts it will take time to adjust and it will eventually come right. I was at the game and I will stick to what I said.This is NOT a criticism of the players but just my personal observation of the match. Deep down we all believe we are managers and see the game differently from others.I'm respectful of your opinion and you should respect others like,I do.!

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Essexipswichboy added 14:07 - Aug 15 This is now dire 6 of starting 11 were his own new recruits and he already saying players not good enough.... That was against lower league opposition So what about championship teams and ex premiership teams Maybe time for him to stop his arrogance The most concerning thing for me is he wants another couple of his players in meaning we could start with a whole team of, (goalie excluded,) newbies from lower leagues who just need to gel. Too many too soon especially with an inexperienced Manager running it I can see mm back at Xmas But sorting this out...... Impossible

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JewellintheTown added 14:35 - Aug 15 Wish people would stop raising the need for patience and time to gel. The guys are all professional footballers with years experience, not pub league players. They know their decently paid jobs, they know whats expected, they know their positions & what the manager is telling them, so no excuses. It's not their first rodeo. Time to gel to the club and surroundings, yes, but not to the game.

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runningout added 14:38 - Aug 15 noticed certain ex town player bothered about our new manager throwing criticism at our below par players. It's 2018 now, and if players can't handle it they need to take a long hard look at themselves.
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Suffolkboy added 14:42 - Aug 15 Have only just seen the ' live ' interview with PH after last night's unfortunate loss ! The attitude from PH speaks volumes , and only reinforces the reports of him ' already losing the dressing room' .Franlky ,as a supporter from way back ( first went in 1954 ) I'm exceptionally disappointed in his language , his conduct and his apparent lack of objectivity ! he needs to be able ,and forced ,to stand back and take a cool long hard look at what is going on ; to admit the dressing room didn't offer up a response is a pointer already to what needs to be examined : nobody thought the team gave less than 100% even if we failed previously , yet suddenly PH is complaining .Sadly he's too close to it ,a bit Magilton like , and the current intellectual challenges seem to defeat his outlook ; formation static, set ideas ( or is it Yorkshire stubbornness ?) and an apparent rigid determination to ' do it my way ' will be his downfall if he isn't careful . As I see it many if our players are very good characters, honest and frequently evidently intelligently articulate -- he needs to drastically improve HIS relationship with the squad , and ALL of them , ensure that communication is a two way affair & appreciate that though he's the Manager he also has a DUTY to listen ! For us supporters it's right we express our take ,but we mustn't deviate from patience , humour and support and a willingness to show those instincts and appreciation pitch side !! Faint hearts never won a fair maiden , and we DO want our boys to be good to watch , and to win and our encouragement is a must ! PH and his team would do well to mirror this and think really hard before ' letting go ' in or to the public forums in future ; having played sport to a reasonable level I think I'd be absolutely furious if this sort of thing continued !PH has indicated already there's matters that need to be ' kept private ' , he should now contemplate those words and quit playing to the audience . Come on PH and your team , please show us our faith is not misplaced , and get everybody pulling in the same direction --- that's your job and your job alone !! Up the Blues !

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midastouch added 14:58 - Aug 15 I'd love to know what the players are making of Paul and his team so far. If they're not buying into his philosophy and style wholeheartedly it's going to make life very difficult indeed. If it gets to the stage where irrevocable damage is done either way there could be breakdown in mutual trust and confidence and when it gets to that point it makes it very difficult to build bridges again. Hopefully it's nothing like that but Paul does need to pick his fights carefully as if you try and wage war on too many fronts eventually you get engulfed in flames you can't extinguish. If words were said in the heat of the moment last night which anybody regrets hopefully the team can clear the air a bit today or tomorrow (ahead of Saturday) once the dust has settled.

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BlueBlood90 added 15:09 - Aug 15 I really don't think Hurst has approached his interviews well at all from a players perspective. Not once did McCarthy ever dig his own team out in public to the media. It shows a lack of loyalty to them and he isn't going to gain much respect with the approach he's taking. We appreciate it as fans but he's chucking his players under the bus a little bit and taking no responsibility for the players he's brought in himself under performing.

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tractorboy2421 added 15:26 - Aug 15 Good .. at last - for to long players have being taking the money & doing sod all, I would rather lose with players giving it their all, rather than lose without trying.just hope he has the balls to drop them
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Swn98 added 16:10 - Aug 15 MattinLondon they will soon clear off don't worry about that and leave true fans to witness the demise of our once great club.
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Swn98 added 16:16 - Aug 15 Essexipswichboy MM could sort it out however i doubt if he would want to after the way some fans treated him Be careful what you wished for numbskulls.
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Swn98 added 16:21 - Aug 15 For the first time in 45 years ive backed the away team to win on saturday.
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Dissboyitfc added 16:22 - Aug 15 Martin587...at no point was i disrespectful of your post i just offered my oponion against yours!
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woohoo added 17:06 - Aug 15 Welcome to our world Paul...
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jas0999 added 17:31 - Aug 15 Although I agree there needs to be a degree of patience, we really do seem to be struggling and the question is, how long will it take for the new players to bed in and gel? We can Ill afford to be bottom three in two months and several points adrift. Sadly, the new players need to hit the ground running and we need to produce now. This was always going to be the problem with selling experienced p,Ayers and replacing with promising albeit inexperienced additions. Hurst is however right to be very disappointed with yesterday's poor performance. No excuse against a weakened Exeter City.

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Gcon added 17:55 - Aug 15 I wish him well but I do question him being so public in his opinions, and quick to berate his players. He needs to take some responsibility himself. Not all players will respond to this, some need encouragement more than a roasting. I worry that he could very easily upset players and lose the dressing room.
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jocasaja added 18:33 - Aug 15 Time for strong nerves and guts !....I will only start to make any judgement on our new team and manager after at least 10 games have been played COYB !
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midastouch added 18:49 - Aug 15 Perhaps time for somebody at the club to leave a copy of this little gem on Paul's desk! https://www.amazon.com/Score-Takes-Care-Itself-Philosophy/dp/1591843472/ As one of the reviews says: "Phenomenal insights into leadership and converting a losing organisation into a winner."
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warktheline added 19:13 - Aug 15 @cat, don't hold back!😂.....very disturbing ( swn ) has been on a 'high' today! Way too many 'silly' uninteresting posts!
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shakytown added 19:41 - Aug 15 Toxteth. What are the other options then?????? Our young players are not ready for this level yet so who is going to be the creative influence or find the classy touches?????? Can't wait to see what Villa do to us.
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CorfeBlue added 19:42 - Aug 15 I am in the camp that once we start playing as a team we will see a vast improvement and I am prepared to be patient for a while to see if this happens. Having said that, Paul Hurst needs to take some blame for this defeat, one up front against Exeter? Not sure this was the best plan imho.
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warktheline added 20:27 - Aug 15 The job in hand is massive, especially when you take stock of the last 8 years or so! Losing mentality throughout ( bar McCarthy's iron fist ‘period' ) . Thus it's gonna take an exceptional individual to turn the tide! Hurst for sure will be realising the ‘honeymoon' has come and gone, and the realisation of the magnitude on his shoulders has already started to cause ‘backache'! Anyhow, Cometh the hour, cometh the man, or my kingdom for a horse!!!!!!! Time is for sure, gonna tell!

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cat added 21:16 - Aug 15 Walktheline didn't say anything, honest!!!! (lol) looks like a serious case of bleating occurred.
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BlueParadigm added 22:11 - Aug 15 Thanks Suffolkboy for the most articulate and perceptive post getting to the root of the current problems
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ITFCsince73 added 22:28 - Aug 15 It's not the ex L1, L2 players that's the problem. It's the proper blokes left from the MM era, that continue to hold us back and under perform. Skuse, Chambers, Knudsen have under performed for years. Sears was ruined beyond repair it seems. Shame no one came in pre season, for any of those 4. But who would? Quality is non existent from any of those.
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Swn97 added 23:06 - Aug 15 I just like to come on here and talk nonsense, from time to time.
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