Troy Brown: It’s been a good season for Exeter City and Ollie Watkins

With just two games of the League Two season remaining, Exeter City defender Troy Brown spoke to Shoot about his end-of-season disappointment and young star Ollie Watkins.

The Grecians slipped out of play-off contention last weekend, following back-to-back defeats against Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers, having previously been 10 unbeaten.

That run had taken Exeter from 14th to ninth in the standings in just under two months, collecting 22 points allowing the way, but, ultimately, Paul Tisdale’s side fell short in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Despite the team’s frustrations at how the last two weeks have panned out, though, former Ipswich Town defender Brown told Shoot that it’s been a good season for the Devon outfit.

“It’s been a disappointing couple of weeks. We’re not in the play-offs and we’re upset with that, but we’ve had a good cup run in there, the club’s generated a lot of money, and we’ve seen some young players come through.”

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke battles with Brown during the two sides’ FA Cup clash earlier this season. Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside.

One of the players Brown is keen to praise is 20-year-old forward Watkins who, after a year on loan at National League South outfit Weston-super-Mare, has made his mark on the Grecians’ first team this term – netting eight in his last 11 appearances to be named as the Football League Young Player of the Month for March.

And Watkins’ more experienced team-mate has been impressed with his progress in the latter part of the campaign.

“Ollie’s done well – you see it day in, day out in training that he’s got something,” Brown continued.

“He’s obviously scored a few goals, and he’s done other parts of the game that have been brilliant for us. Long may that continue.

“As long as he keeps his feet on the ground, and I’m sure he will, he’ll go on to do very well.”

While Watkins has already spoken of his ambition to play at a higher level, former Welsh youth international Brown is encouraging the young front man to just keep working hard.

“You never know – if he keeps doing what he’s doing, [he can go] all the way. He’s done very well in a short career so far.”