Be Positive

THE final instruction to the Argyle players before they go out to face Barnet at Home Park on Saturday will be a simple one: “Be courageous.”

At a time of the season when nerves on and off the field are stretched to breaking-point, John Sheridan wants his players to show no fear as they continue their mission to stay in the Football League.

“I’ve told the players that they need to be courageous; if you make mistakes, just get on with the game, don’t worry.

“When we’re at home, you’ve got to take the game to the opposition and that’s what I’d like to see us do.

“You’ve got to be more positive, not be frightened; get on the ball a lot more; and create opportunities because that’s what the home supporters expect you to do. I don’t think we’ve done that. 

“Whatever team I play, I expect us to go and be a lot more positive.

“I don’t think that if we lose the game we’re out the equation and we’re going to get relegated but if we win, it’ll make life a little bit easier and hopefully it’ll get us closer to the teams around us.

“We’re in a vulnerable position. We’re bottom of the table, so we need to win football matches.

“Even drawing, I won’t accept at home. We need to take three points from games. We want to stay in this division and do well.

“We’ve been very lethargic at home and, other than my first game, I can’t pinpoint where we’ve played well.

“So  we need to get a bit more drive and endeavour and the tempo of the game needs to be higher for us.”

“If we lose the game, we lose the game. But, if we show an attitude similar to our away performances – to try and win the game – that’s all you can ask for.

“We need to be courageous; we need to be brave; we need to take chances.”