Exeter City can strike transfer gold with Deme Mitchell repeat | OneFootball

Exeter City have a problem in both wing back positions and Gary Caldwell needs to find the next Demetri Mitchell - and quick.

It's going to be a nervy and busy few days at St James Park.

Exeter City are working hard on bringing in a few new faces before the summer transfer window closes.

Manager Gary Caldwell's focus will probably be on a new No.10 and a wing back or two, certainly at least one right-sided one.

The Grecians have put in a number of underwhelming performances so far this season but have picked up two wins from their five League One games heading into this weekend's clash with rock-bottom Peterborough United.

City have failed to score a goal from open play in five of their six outings in all competitions this term and, frankly, it doesn't really look like they've got a plan going forward, at least not one that's working.

If they can't nick a goal from a corner, rely on some Reece Cole magic or take advantage of barmy own goals, they look devoid of ideas.

It seems that Caldwell's beloved three at the back with wing-backs system relies solely on not conceding and pinching a goal, exploiting athletic wing backs to lay it on a place for the forwards.

The problem with that plan is the personnel currently aren't capable of carrying a large share of the side's attacking hopes on their shoulders.

Ilmari Niskanen got in down the right a couple of times in the poor 2-0 loss at Northampton Town last week but was unable to deliver the killer ball.

Ryan Rydel looks off it at the moment on the left, but he's had a bit of an injury during pre-season, so will hopefully start to show the quality promised by Stockport County fans when the deal to bring him in on loan for the season was confirmed.

Jack McMillan has filled in at right wing back, and in pretty much every other position available already this season, but he's a defensive-minded player who probably isn't quick enough to cause too much threat on the break.

Exeter City desperate for wide signings

For a manager and formation that relies so heavily on those wing backs making things happen, Caldwell and City have a dearth of quality at the moment, especially in the final third.

It's been one of the former Scotland defender's blind spots, but it started so well as he inherited Josh Key from City's academy and brought in Demetri Mitchell during his first window at the club.

While injuries ruined Mitchell's spell in the South West, Key's quality was evident, and he's holding his own in the Championship with Swansea City, starting all three of their league games this season.

City have been linked with wide players this summer, specifically players more known as wingers, such as Oxford United's Owen Dale and former Wycombe Wanderers wide man Kieran Sadlier, who's currently a free agent.

There are also murmurs about a swoop for Crystal Palace youngster Franco Umeh, who's able to play on the right or the left but is mostly considered as best on the latter by the Eagles hierarchy.

The first two names would bring experience, while Umeh would be a complete gamble - and that's the last thing City need right now. What City really need is a new Mitchell.

Deme Mitchell had attacking quality

They need someone to come in tomorrow and be able to put in quality performances in the attacking third to get the Grecians causing opposition problems.

The 28-year-old is now at Leyton Orient and has struggled for game time after a stop-start beginning of the season due to injury, but he was brilliant for Exeter before suffering the first of two knee injuries after joining from Hibernian in January 2023.

In those 10 months of peak fitness before limping off against Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup, Mitchell featured 33 times, scoring five and setting up six.

In his final 28 games during the 2024/25 season, he scored a further seven and assisted one more.

Those numbers, all in all, are not earth-shattering, but he brought quality, pace and directness that would throw opposition off balance and at least make it feel like something was about to happen.

In terms of pure ability, he has to be right up there as one of the best to pull on the red and white this decade and Caldwell simply has to unearth someone close to his ability if his insistence on five at the back is going to work this term.