‘Underdogs’ Exeter can cause Forest upset – Caldwell

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes his side can cause an FA Cup upset when they host Premier League Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

The Grecians have reached the fourth round for the first time since 1981 but face a side third in the top flight who are fresh off a 7-0 thrashing of Brighton and Hove Albion last week.

Exeter beat Championship side Oxford United in the third round last month as they prepare for a fourth successive home tie.

“We know we are massive underdogs,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

“But with the magic of the cup there is always that possibility of an upset and we believe that at our very best we can do that.”

Caldwell, who helped Wigan Athletic win the FA Cup in 2013, is aware of the pluses and minuses of hosting Forest.

The game on Tuesday is likely to be a sell-out at the 8,200-capacity St James Park.

It is the biggest game to be hosted by City since they drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the third round of the same competition in 2016.

“At home, football-wise you’ve got a better chance of winning [but] financially it’s less positive for the club,” said Caldwell, whose side will not have the chance of a lucrative replay at the City Ground after new rules scrapping second games were brought in this season.

“It’s a Premier League team that is doing extremely well, really surprising people this year with how high they are up the table, pushing for a Champions League place,” he said.

“So not just any Premier League team, but a Premier League team that is showing what a good side they are week in, week out – only last week winning 7-0.

“That doesn’t happen often in the Premier League, so we know how difficult a task this is going to be.

“We’re really excited and really looking forward to it.”

St James Park has had the eyes of the world on it for FA Cup ties before.

As well as that 2-2 draw with a youthful Liverpool side nine years ago, they also hosted a replay against Manchester United in 2005 after a famous goalless draw in the third round at Old Trafford.

Caldwell feels the chance to have global eyes on the game – as well as a large domestic television audience – is one the club must take positively.

“I don’t think you get this opportunity much as a League One side to show your club off on an international level.

“So I think it’s important that we show us in our very best light – not just the team on the park, the supporters in the stadium, the club as a whole and the story that we’ve had over the last 20-odd years and what a remarkable story it is.

“To show that off and to show that at it’s very best would be brilliant for the football club.

“Hopefully it’s a really special night where everyone gets to see the good in this football club.”