Rock On, Rubes

THE arrival at Home Park of on-loan forward Caolan Lavery should not be taken as an indication of John Sheridan's dissatisfaction with his current strike force.

Reuben Reid netted the first hat-trick by an Argyle player on Wednesday, when the Greens brushed past non-league Lincoln City 5-0 in their FA Cup with Budweiser first-round replay at Home Park. His strike partner, Lewis Alessandra, also bagged two goals as Argyle more than doubled their tallied of goals at Home Park this campaign.

It took Reuben's tally for the season to six, which John thinks is a little below par for a player of his ability and work-rate who has won over his early-season detractors with some towering recent performances.

“Reuben knows I think he should have more goals – I’ve told him that,” said John. “I think he’s one of the best strikers in the division on his day.

“I’m pleased he got his goals the other night and I’m hoping it will give him a big, big lift. They were good goals. With his all round game, when he’s on his game…like I say, he’s one of the best.

“We’ve all taken criticism. Sometimes you have got to stand up, take it, and prove people wrong, which we are all trying to do.

“Our defensive record is very good, one of the best in the division: we can keep clean sheets, but we’re not scoring goals (in the league).

“You’re always in the game when you are keeping the ball out of your net. Hopefully, that will continue, and, if we keep creating chances, goals will come.”