Shez's Belief

ONE reason why John Sheridan has faith Argyle will soon emerge from their doldrums is that he believes in his players.

Saturday’s trip to Mansfield will be the Pilgrims’ ninth match since they last won, at home to Bristol Rovers on September 7, during which they have scored just three goals.

Much of the focus towards the end of that run has been on the manager. He, however, prefers to concentrate on his charges.

“I’ve got a group of players to look after and it’s important we stick together,” said John.  “It’s only the players, and me and my staff, that will get it out of us.

“I’m definitely on their side. I never openly have a go at the players. I normally keep it indoors;  whatever I have to say which is negative towards them, I say it indoors, and hopefully they will take on board what I say.

“I think we are as good as any team [in the division] on our day; I think our level of performance isn’t too bad; I think we’ve deserved more. That’s what I am going to take into the game, and tell the players, until we get the results we deserve.

“I have got to keep the positiveness into the players. It’s hard, because we are not winning and not scoring, but it’s no good sitting down thinking ‘we are never going to score, we are never going to win’.

“Their mood’s good but it will give them more self-confidence if one or two them can score a couple of goals, and hopefully it can bring a bit of confidence to the team, because I don’t think we have been playing badly.

“Their attitude is good. There are no problems. Everyone comes in with a positive attitude. Everything can be great in training, but Saturday is when you want to get results and when everyone notices how well you are doing.”