Taylor hopes extra time leads to Exeter improvement

Exeter City interim manager Matt Taylor hopes his first full week of training can help improve his struggling side.

The Grecians, who one place off the League One relegation zone, host Leyton Orient on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

Since Taylor took over as boss earlier this month the Grecians have had matches every Tuesday night until this week, interrupting the chance for extended work on the training field.

City have lost their last five games and taken just one point from their last seven matches.

"The players personality-wise, have been quite positive this week," Taylor told BBC Radio Devon.

"I think maybe a little bit of a break of no midweek game for the first time since I've come in has allowed us to do some structured work on the training pitch, and in amongst some structure some competitive work as well, going up against each other.

"I think this is the first time I've been able to say to the group of players 'show me what you've got out on the training pitch and be ready to play at the weekend - if you perform well in the week then you've got a really good chance of selection'.

"I've been pretty pleased with the way the week's gone, but I still want us to start the game well at the weekend and then to perform better for longer, and if we do that then naturally I think layers of the performance will build on top of it."

Exeter are on a 13-game winless run stretching back to their 3-1 win at bottom side Port Vale on 24 January.

In that time Gary Caldwell left his role as manager to take over at Wigan Athletic, with former boss Taylor returning until the end of the season after a brief spell with coach Dan Green in charge.

Exeter were 10th in League One after their victory at Port Vale - six points off the play-off places and seven above the relegation spots.

But having picked up just six points since - all from draws - Exeter find themselves above the drop zone on goal difference after losing at Caldwell's Wigan last week.

"Each week I'm trying to add to certain moments of the game," added Taylor.

"There's been a big set-piece focus, there's an out-of-possession focus, there's an attacking set-pieces focus, our in-possession style and way of moving the ball.

"I'm trying not to change too much, so I'm trying to add layers to the group without taking too much away from the familiarity of the majority of the season.

"It's worked well on the training pitch, but the proof is in the pudding of what it looks like on Saturday.

"Also you need the players to perform within it - you can give as much structure and instruction in terms of the plan, but then actual individual performance is absolutely key."