Robbie's Off The Mark

THE scorer of Argyle’s first league goal of the 2012-13 campaign believes the winless Pilgrims have nothing to fear from npower League 2 this season.

Robbie Williams’ introduction as a half-time substitute helped change the balance of Saturday’s match at Oxford but could not alter the result after the U’s went into the break with a 2-0 lead from Deane Smalley’s quickfire double.

A goal by Willo, direct from a free-kick in 75th-minute, reduced the arrears, but the Pilgrims’ had given themselves too much to do against the divisional leaders.

“We were maybe unlucky not to get something from the game, but we can’t afford to give teams two goals to start with,” said Robbie, 27.

“They were poor goals, which cost us.

“We kind of dominated the second half and could have maybe got something but, as I say, you can’t give a team as good as Oxford a two-goal head-start.

“They are a good team and are going to be there or thereabouts, but I think we went toe-to-toe with them in the second half.”

Willo’s fellow full-back Durrell Berry also came on at half-time for his seasonal debut after injury, as manager Carl Fletcher successfully tweaked the Argyle formation.

“It spiced things up a bit, changed things round a bit, and gave us a bit more belief,” said Robbie. “We had nothing to lose because we were 2-0 down

“It showed we can do it, and we can play against the best team in this league. We have got nothing to fear.”

Willo’s previous goal was also directly from a free-kick, and also against Oxford, and he revealed that he had to persuade team-mate and fellow dead-ball specialist Paul Wotton to let him have a pot.

“Every free-kick, I fancy myself,” he said. “I wish we weren’t 2-0 down and it was the equaliser.

“The wall did fine, but I like going over the last man’s head and hit it with a bit of swing. It was a good free-kick.

“Paul fancies himself but I don’t think he can reach, these days!

“I said ‘Paul, I can do this – go around the wall.’ So he let me take it and it was a good result in the end.”

“We are just disappointed we gave them two sloppy goals to start with and gave ourselves a mountain to climb.”