Upbeat Shez

ARGYLE manager John Sheridan is remaining upbeat, despite losing 1-0 to Burton Albion.

The Sky Bet League 2 game was decided by a single, well-taken, goal by Adam McGurk in the 12th minute which ended the Greens’ eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

However, the home side outplayed Burton for the majority of the match – particularly in the first half – a level of performance which has given Shez good reason for optimism.

John said: “Burton made it very difficult, but I’m very positive with the way we played.

“Obviously we want to win every game, but I think, apart from the goal – which was very poor on our part – we went about the game very well, and I’ve told the players that.”

Argyle played considerably better than the final score suggests, knocking the ball around the park with ease for large periods of the match. Despairing Burton blocks on the goal-line and a lack of luck in the final third prevented them from getting a well-deserved point, or even three, from the game.

Despite not being able to find the net, Sheridan refused to be critical, praising the new, more positive mentality around the squad.

“I think there’s a difference in us now, and you can see that in the players, with the way we wanted to try and win the game” he said.

“No-one was hiding, everyone was on the front foot, and I think we should’ve won the game, so that’s the way I’m going to look at it.”

The defeat for the Pilgrims leaves them 15th in League 2, but only three points away from being in the top half of the table.

The manager believes that, if the players continue to put in performances like they are, losses such as this one will be rare occurrences.

John said: “I thought the whole team performance was a very good one, and that’s what I’ll be taking from it.”

“If we carry on the mentality that we’ve got at the moment, with that desire and will to win, we’ll win more games than we lose.”