Inglethrope on the Bulls

Alex Inglethorpe, the Exeter manager, has backed his players to bounce back from their latest setback, losing to Grays Athletic, even though he admits it will be a tough hurdle to overcome at Edgar Street.

"I have never doubted the character of this group of players," he told the Exeter Express and Echo.

"They have shown great spirit this season and I expect to see it again. Of course we were disappointed after the Grays result and as usual I have been looking at the video. But as far as the players are concerned that game has gone and we have fixed all our attentions on Hereford."

Inglethorpe went on a spying mission on Tuesday night when he watched the Bulls spring an LDV Vans shock by dumping Port Vale out of the competition in extra-time.

"I was very impressed. They pass the ball as well as I have seen anyone pass it this season. They make the pitch really big so it will be a very tough test."

The compliments stand in stark contrast to the swipe aimed at the Grecians at the start of the season by Bulls boss Graham Turner.

In an astonishing outburst, the former Wolves manager accused City of adopting long ball tactics in a bid to land the title.

While the barbs clearly riled City's management team, Inglethorpe refused to get involved in a war of words and instead said that Hereford were one of the teams likely to be involved in the title hunt.

"They weren't very complimentary about us but that is not to say we won't be complimentary about them," said the City boss.

"They are a big club and they have a good side and I hope we fall into that bracket as well. We don't go out of our way to be derogatory about any club, it's the way we operate."

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