Caldwell defends Exeter playing style after Port Vale loss

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has backed his team's passing style of play, despite criticism from some sections of the fanbase.

The Grecians lost 2-0 at home to Port Vale on Saturday having conceded two first-half goals at St James Park, suffering a fifth loss in eight League One games this season.

It led to boos from some areas of the ground at half-time as Exeter lost for the third time in four games.

"Players are going to make mistakes, you have to support the players," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"I take ultimate responsibility because I ask the players to play this way.

"This is why we're four seasons in League One, because we ask questions of the opposition, we give them problems that, yes, today we made mistakes, yes, there's a frustration from me, from supporters, but I don't go in at half-time and berate the players.

"Whenever we kicked it up the park we didn't win the ball either - we don't have the physicality, we don't have the legs to be a direct team.

"Whenever we sucked them out and we played beyond, then that was when we created our good moments.

"So the supporters have to stick with the players for longer. I understand the frustration because I'm frustrated myself, but these players are trying.

"They can't have more anxiety, more pressure put on them from the stands when we're asking them to play this way, and if you want Peterborough, Blackpool and some other brilliant performances we've had over the years, then you have to stick with them in difficult moments as well."

The loss saw the Grecians slip to 16th in League One as an early goal from Ruari Paton and a strike from Devante Cole just before half-time secured a first league win for Port Vale this season.

Caldwell said he hoped the loss could be a "line in the sand" for his team giving away chances and that they could become more secure going forward.

"It's another one I feel like we've kind of gifted the opposition," he added

"We've given them really poor goals, they didn't have to create the opportunities.

"We made mistakes that allowed them those moments, and then I thought the players gave everything second half to try to get back into the game.

"But at 2-0 it's not going to be easy to do that so another game where I feel like we've given it up rather than the opposition have come and beaten us.

"We just had a good chat in the changing room, everyone, that we have to draw a line in the sand and this can't keep happening.

"We need to start games better, play with more belief, play with more confidence and do the right thing more often to allow us to get a foothold in games."