We will need to play well says Turner
Graham Turner has told the Exeter Express and Echo that his team will have to significantly raise their performance against what he describes as a "good" Exeter side.
"We didn't play well against Exeter on Boxing Day and we were punished," said the Bulls manager. "The most worrying thing was that we didn't work hard enough. They were a lot more industrious than we were and that is something we can't allow to happen in the re-match.
"We responded in the right way with a win over Leigh RMI which was what I was looking for.
"But we must ensure that we don't undo the good work by performing like we did on Boxing Day. Exeter are a good side so we need to play well."
The paper reports that Turner locked his players in the dressing rooms at St James's Park for almost an hour as he unleashed his post-match rant after the defeat. However the Bulls have only been defeated twice at home so far against promotion rivals Halifax Town and Stevenage Borough and have won their last four home games.
It suggests that if two sides can reproduce last season's cracking contest that was televised live over the festive period then the outcome will be too close to call.
"It was a great game last season," admitted Turner. "This fixture always seems to serve up some drama."
Meanwhile Exeter's loan striker Kezie Ibe, who made his full debut with a goal at Tamworth last Tuesday, is desperate to take the fizz out of Hereford United's New Year celebrations by firing the Grecians to a seasonal double at Edgar Street tomorrow.
Ibe believes his adopted side have a psychological edge ahead of the New Year encounter.
"We have already beaten them once so the lads are full of confidence," he said. "Hereford are a good team but we walked all over them and that bodes well for tomorrow's game."