Gary Caldwell: Exeter City boss says Derby loss 'lesson we have to take'

Caldwell said that "having the ball is not enough", and that they need to be "more ruthless"

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell said defeat to promotion chasing Derby County was a "lesson we have to take".

Goals from Max Bird, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, and Tom Barkhuizen punished a wasteful City side, who had 70 percent of possession.

Caldwell said that "having the ball is not enough", and that his players need to be "more ruthless".

However, he added: "It's not a disaster losing to a team who are second in the league, and flying".

The Grecians' recent turnaround of form has seen them win five league games since the start of 2024, only one fewer than they managed from August to December.

And a result against Derby would have made it three consecutive wins for the first time this season.

'Punished for mistakes'

Caldwell noted his side "played well in two thirds of the pitch", but had opened themselves to counter attacks too often.

"They punished us for any mistakes we made," he told BBC Radio Devon.

"In those moments and against big teams you need to be more ruthless, you have to foul, and penetrate the back line more.

"They sat back and allowed us to have the ball, but we understand having the ball is not enough."

Caldwell said opposition sides from higher in the table have "the physicality, the speed, the power, and quality" to make the most of mistakes.

"We got punished three times and have to take that on the chin," he added.

Exeter are away to Lincoln City on Saturday before playing their next home game against Fleetwood Town on 24 February.