It has certainly been a difficult week for Exeter City manager Neil McNab. Last Saturday his side produced an encouraging display at leaders Hartlepool before agonisingly conceding two late goals in a 2-1 defeat. Then on Tuesday night, the Grecians felt aggrieved when a controversial Martin Gritton goal was allowed to stand in the 1-0 defeat at local rivals Torquay. With only Bristol Rovers and Swansea below them in the Third Division table, McNab is well aware that points are vital, and the former Spurs star recently said of the remainder of the season: "We've got 16 games left and 16 wars to win. They are all cup finals from now and I don't want to be saying that with three games to go- the time to get out of trouble is now." Givemefootball's Mark Shail sought the views of McNab before and after the first of those 'cup finals' - the weekend's lacklustre performance in the 2-0 home defeat by Boston United.
Q. WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS GOING INTO THE BOSTON GAME?
A. I never normally say to the players how important games are, but I told them Boston was a vital one. I wanted us to play well, obviously, but reminded them the win was the all-important thing. I've been a bit disappointed with our form at home, we've been playing better away from home but in the last couple of games we hadn't been playing like a team at the bottom of the table.
Q. AND YOUR FEELINGS AFTER THE GAME?
A. It's hard to put into words how bad I thought we were. I am just disappointed at the lack of drive, of enthusiasm and the lack of self pride.
Q. GENERALLY THOUGH, HOW HAVE YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME IN CHARGE AT ST JAMES' PARK?
A. It's fair to say that I have experienced some ups and downs. The first month was the hardest but now things have settled down and I'm enjoying the challenge.
Q. YOU RECENTLY SIGNED STRIKER SEAN DEVINE FROM WYCOMBE, HE SEEMS TO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE?
A. Yes he has, and with more games he will only get better. He is a natural goalscorer who comes alive in the box and is a natural finisher. He formed a good partnership with Scott Partridge, who we had on loan from Rushden, but unfortunately Scott's wife became ill and he had to go back home. Before that Scott was playing very well and had said that he wanted to stay at the club, so perhaps we can bring him back in the future.
Q. ARE THE PLAYERS STILL IN A POSITIVE FRAME OF MIND?
A. Although we are in a difficult position the players have every reason to stay positive because, despite our last few results, we have been playing well and our recent defeats are the only times we have been beaten in our last ten games. The way the players performed against Hartlepool and Torquay, they thoroughly deserved to get something from both those games.
Q. IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT AS MANY AS SIX CLUBS ARE INVOLVED IN THE BATTLE TO AVOID THE DROP?
A. Because the teams at the bottom have been picking up points more and more teams are getting dragged into the relegation issue. The improvement shown by some of the sides at the bottom could mean that there are as many as eight clubs in the frame.
Q. FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW, HOW DIFFICULT IS IT MANAGING A CLUB LIKE EXETER?
A. It's not easy, but these are the problems you have to deal with at clubs like ours. I knew that there were financial problems before I took the job so I'm not too concerned. At the end of the day the priority is to avoid relegation this season then look to improve things next year.
