Gary Caldwell delighted with Exeter’s impressive victory over Peterborough

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell heaped praise on his side after their convincing 3-0 win left Peterborough still seeking their first League One win of the season.

Jayden Wareham got the ball rolling with the Grecians’ first after 31 minutes before Josh Magennis powered home two second-half headers in the space of three minutes to seal a comfortable win for the Grecians.

“I thought we were good right from the start,” Caldwell said. “I thought our out of possession game really put them under pressure, it was really aggressive and we put a lot of energy into the first half and set the tone for the game.

“I thought we could have been more in front at half-time and 1-0 was a risky scoreline and in the second half, we were more pragmatic with how we pressed, we sat in a block more, but the understanding of how we could win the game was great and then we hit two goals from crosses that we have been working on this week and from then on in, it was comfortable.

“I’m delighted with the result. The clean sheet is always good but, like I said, a big foundation of what we did today was our out of possession work, not just defenders, but from the top end of the pitch with the four number nine’s that were on the pitch.

“We set up to be really aggressive from goal kicks and open play and to do that, you need full commitment and energy. You have to win duels and make contact, but so much of our work was outstanding, especially in that first half.”

It is now six without a win for the Posh and manager Darren Ferguson said: “Goals clearly change games and what I was surprised about was really what a lack of belief we have – maybe it is affecting us more than I thought.

“Sadly, when the first goal goes in, we don’t react to going behind. And then we lose a poor second and third goal.

“There was nothing in the game first half. I thought it was quite a poor game, a timid game, actually. We then concede a poor goal by not doing the basics and when you have a team that is not creating chances, it’s a sign that they are really lacking confidence and belief to take risks.

“First half, I thought we were poor and had to up our quality on the ball. I spoke at half-time about that and I felt if we did, we could go and get something from the game, but we didn’t offer much at the start of the second half, I made changes and play with wing-backs and then concede a second and a third. It was really poor.”