Lenny vows to fight for place

EXETER City's new goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley has pledged to battle for his place following his summer switch to St James's Park.

The former Chelsea keeper will compete with Polish stopper Artur Krysiak for the League One club's No. 1 spot.

Grecians boss Paul Tisdale yesterday confirmed that Krysiak will start the 2011/12 season as his first choice keeper.

But Pidgeley, who turned down other clubs to join City, is determined to stake his claim by impressing during pre-season.

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"Artur has been here for a year and has been patient," Pidgeley told Echo Sport. "So the club are looking to give him a chance to play, which I fully understand.

"But I will be giving 100 per cent in every training session and every game and I will be knocking on the door for an opportunity as soon as I can.

"I am experienced now and this is an important year for me. I really want to get back playing regularly, so I am not coming here to sit around or be a No. 2. I am coming here to play.

"I think a club like Exeter is a good place for me to establish myself and I am raring to go.

"If Artur is favourite to start the season, then fair play to him. There is not going to be any animosity between us.

"In training I will try and help him and I am sure he will do the same for me.

"I am sure whoever does the best in pre-season will start the season."

"I don't know Artur, I have never met him or played against him. He is younger than me and I can't wait to work with him."

Pidgeley is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with City defender Richard Duffy as the pair played together at Millwall during the 2008/09 season.

He has also faced midfielder David Noble on several occasions and says both players have nothing but glowing praise for the way City operate.

"I have played with Richard Duffy and I have crossed paths with David Noble a few times. So they are two of the lads that I know and I am looking forward to meeting up with them again.

"They know what I am about and I know what they are about. They have nothing but praise for the club, the management staff and the way the club is run.

"They are really upbeat about the club and have committed their futures, which is great going forwards. When you see a lot of players signing new contracts and staying at a club, it gives you an idea as to what kind of club it is.

"They have been singing the praises of the staff and how things are done."

After City narrowly missed out on a play-off place by a single point last season, Pidgeley remains confident that the Grecians can go one step better next season.

"You always try and achieve higher standards than the previous season," he said. "The club is going in the right direction and I would say the play-offs are definitely a possibility next season."