Riding the Waves

JOHN Sheridan may be more Oasis than Beach Boys, but the Argyle manager is picking up good vibrations at Home Park.

The Pilgrims entertain Burton Albion on Saturday, looking for a fourth successive home win and to extend a very handy unbeaten run to nine matches.

That streak has taken them a comfortable mid-table position in Sky Bet League 2, seven points and seven places shy of the weekend’s visitors, who currently occupy the final of the four play-off places.

“There’s good vibes,” said John. “Everything is good about the place at the moment.

“We just need to, if we can, get a string of wins and try to get up there, close to the teams in and around us at the top. Things are really good regarding training and positiveness, and the attitude of the players.

“I don’t think it’s ever been bad. We’ve played better than we are now and haven’t got results. We’re on a run and getting a confidence and consistency about us.”

The Pilgrims have not tasted defeat at Home Park since mid-September and have drawn their last two tricky away league games, at York and, on Tuesday night, Torquay. 

“If you are trying to get out of the division, your home form is vital,” said John. “You have got to win your games and, if you can pick up something away from home, it’ll stand you in good stead.

“We want to win our home games; we want to make it as difficult for teams when they come here. We want them to be wary of us.”

Burton’s fine form comes after a fairly major summer revamp. They got themselves into the post-season play-offs last year, and are looking good to do it again.

John said: “They are a good team with good players for this league who got in the play-offs last year, so they know what it’s all about. I’m expecting a really tough game, but, like I always say, we’re the home team and we’re going into the game confident.

“They have got strikers who know this division. I’ve always liked [Billy] Kee; Rene Howe, who hasn’t figured too much; [David] Symes, as well; and [Adam] McGurk, who I always liked at Tranmere.

“It won’t have done them any harm, getting into the play-off last season. It might have hurt at the time, getting beaten, but sometimes that stands you in good stead and they are showing that now because they are in a play-off position.

“We need to take three points; if we do, that point on Tuesday will look a really good point. We’re on a little bit of a run and hopefully we can continue that.”

Wouldn’t it be nice?