Exeter need to be 'determined not desperate' - Taylor

Exeter City boss Matt Taylor says his team need to be "determined, not desperate" after narrow defeats in their opening two matches. The Grecians conceded late goals in their 2-0 Carabao Cup first round defeat at local rivals Plymouth Argyle. Taylor's relegated side then lost their opening match back down in League Two 1-0 at promotion hopefuls Grimsby Town. "I need to ease off the team in terms of the pressure and expectation, because we've got to be determined but not desperate," Taylor told BBC Radio Devon. "There was a little bit of desperation too often in our game last weekend. So keep that determination and we want to do really well, but don't play desperate." The club lost a host of experienced players following their relegation from League One, but were able to bring in wing-backs Vincent Harper and Lakyle Samuel last week. Taylor confirmed those deals were made possible by TV money the club received from their recently televised cup tie with Plymouth. "It's great that the club has put that straight to the budget. We're still working towards what we can also do between now and the end of the window. "It's difficult with you're planning because you want to know what you can bring in and when, but this window will be moving parts." The Grecians host last season's 16th-placed side Accrington Stanley on Saturday, ahead of a trip to newly promoted York City. Taylor says his rebuilt squad is still a work in progress. "The way the team looks in terms of how long they can control periods of the game for still isn't where I need it to be," he added. "Not once in pre-season or even on the training pitch have we been able to say we're an opposition-half team, or a final third team and we're pressing a team back consistently. "Part of that is physicality, and part of that is execution and maintaining and sustaining it, but that will come over time". Exeter squad need time to adapt - Taylor Grimsby Town 1-0 Exeter City Listen to Exeter City content on BBC Sounds All the latest Exeter City news