Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss set for 'biggest' transfer window since joining club

Exeter's defeat at Reading was their 11th loss from their past 16 games in League One

Gary Caldwell says this month's transfer window is the biggest he will face in his time as Exeter City boss.

The Grecians - who were top of League One in September - slipped into the relegation places after a 3-2 New Year's Day defeat at Reading.

City have won just one league game since mid-September.

"What the team needs is support, in terms of numbers, to create competition and quality to increase the overall quality within the squad," he said.

"Every window since I've been at the club we've managed to do that.

"This one is probably the biggest one because of the situation we're in and the need for numbers, because of the injuries we've had all season.

"We have to work extremely hard at the club to try and make that a reality come the end of January."

But Caldwell says Exeter fans will have to be patient as the club tries to get the players they feel they need to improve in the second half of the season.

"As much as we want to bring players into the club it's going to be a difficult window," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"We have some funds to spend, but so does every other club and we're in a market where it's difficult to get the right players in.

"Marcus Flitcroft [Exeter's head of recruitment] is working extremely hard to identify those targets and get us a list, but everyone else is looking at the same players.

"So we have to be patient and we have to make sure that any player that does come in to the club is the right player for the club, to take us forward and make this a successful season."