All Systems Go

FOOTBALL managers are fond of saying that games are about players, not systems...

...but there is no avoiding the fact that Argyle’s fortunes have considerably since John Sheridan switched to three at the back.

Five matches; three clean sheets; just one defeat; only two goals conceded – the stats suggest the move was as smart as it was brave, coming as it did in the televised Dockyard Derby against Portsmouth.

“The lads are getting used to it and I think it enables one or two of the players to get in the game and express themselves a bit more,” said John.

“Youngy [Luke Young] is one; it helps Neal Trotman with three at the back; and I think, more than anything, it enables us to try and get bodies more forwards.

“We are looking quite comfortable. People are getting used to the system now. Jamie [Reckord] was a bit raw with it, [and] one or two others. If you are comfortable and you break, you can pass the ball around in that system – we look alright with it.”

Not that John is taking anything for granted.

He said: “Things are going okay, but I know what football’s like – things can change ever so quickly, so I won’t get carried away: I don’t think we’re playing great, and I don’t think we are playing badly.

“We’ve worked hard and we’ve got points on board, which is the most important thing. I don’t even think it’s about performances now – it’s about getting points and trying to get that little bit of consistency, whether you are winning 1-0 or 3-0.”