My AI pal thinks the same as you. So for starters I'll go with 1-1 too. I'll pick the scorer when I've seen the team. The bookies have us finishing around 16th. It's a big step up for us and that's about as much as we should expect. Though GM has a habit of getting more out of the team as the season progresses. Here's to living in Hope again.

Exeter were initially called St Sidwells United. The church and club being outside the city walls of Exeter. Thus likened to the Greeks entering Troy

The starting eleven may contain some surprises - to me, the only ones I think that are certain to be there TLT, full backs Sterry and Maxwell, Bailey in mid-field (McGrath if he was fully fit), and Molyneux on the front line.
I'll be positive (or should that be optimistic?) and say 2-1 to Rovers. I'll also say Molyneux to score, as he is the only one I'm convinced will start!
I really would like Ironside to start and score, but think one of the new guys will get that starting role. Would also like to see Ajayi out on the left wing!

Afternoon all,

Great to see everyone here for the start of the new season.
I think this will be an interesting test. Exeter are an established L1 side now and seem to be confident heading into the new season. I'm going to go with my usual 2-1 to Rovers though. Middleton with the first.

It is going to be interesting - four players I do not know at all other than from pre-season reports.
I'll have to have my team numbers sheet out so I know who is who!

Greetings fellow 606 era
Great weather through the summer months which saw the upper Wharfe down to a trickle 😎
I'm hoping the Rovers are hot today.
Rovers 2-1 Exeter
Hanlan to score⚽

Confirm 1-1, Hanlan

Losing Sterry was a blow to the hopes of Rovers attacking ambitions.

Overall there was plenty of effort by most of the team. O’Riordan was disappointing and far too often failed to make positive passes. He was as bad as Close, never risking the attacking option. Hanlan’s virtues were not very obvious and no one in midfield seemed able to take control. Broadbent was fairly anonymous. In attack, Middleton was energetic as was Clifton, but no one amongst the new players who started seemed to have enough skill to stand out. Molyneux missed his partnership with Sterry.

When Sharp and Ajayi came on they provided 2 sets of quick feet which seemed to improve our chances of scoring. Gotts does look a bit like Sbarra, but seemed stronger and not so easily outmuscled.

Pearson did not do a lot wrong, but Bailey was less prominent than normal.

I suppose one should credit Exeter for being more efficient in defence than most of our opposition last season.

McCann will learn from this and perhaps change his front line to give it more punch. I’d include Ironside and Ajayi from the start. Sterry seemed to have sustained a head injury and I do hope he will recover quickly. Middleton’s aggression is a useful asset

When I read the DFP's "Player ratings" I often wonder if I have watched the same game! - very much the case today.
My first impression was "How did Mols have so many assists last season as his crosses and passing were at times poor - especially too many over-hit crosses?"
Of the new players, I thought Middleton and Ajayi showed some usable skills, and I agree with Donaldo about starting Ajayi, as I said it was my wish before this game (+ Ironside).
Last season we had strength and depth at centre-back, I'm not totally happy with the new guys. Hopefully McGrath will be fully fit soon.
Does not sound good for Sterry, although a broken cheekbone is better than a serious head injury.

GM reckons 7-10 days for Sterry to be back in contention. Seems very quick but maybe he'll wear a protective mask.

Interestingly O’Riordan got top marks from most people who obviously do not expect much from his passing. Modern defenders who don’t advance the play are surely lacking an important quality. Even Anderson would run with the ball when there was space in front of him and not play the safe sideways pass.

Having seen the replay of the handball incident, I think we were very fortunate to get the penalty which would have been hotly disputed if it had been to our detriment. But of course the typical fan would not agree.

Charlie Crew back at Rovers. Good news I think. Seems to be fast and skilled with a good football brain.

I agree with you on the handball, Donaldo. It could just as easily not have been given. Clearly the ball was blocked from going towards goal but it is questionable as to whether it was deliberate.

Sterry's injury sounds nasty. Latest estimate is that he'll be out for 3-4 weeks.
https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/grant-mccann-provides-injury-update-on-doncaster-rovers-defender-jamie-sterry-5261502

To me, 3-4 weeks seems on the optimistic side, even with a protective mask.
I've not watched a replay of the event so cannot remember with what part of the GK did he collide. I know two bodies going in opposite directions that collide can terminate a lot of momentum, but the injury seems very bad for a "normal" collision.