Keeping The Baby In The Bath

IF ‘never change a winning team’ is one of the most popular footballing mantras, the reverse is not necessarily true.

Certainly, Argyle manager John Sheridan is not about to throw the baby out with the bathwater following last Saturday’s disappointing 3-0 home League 2 defeat by Wycombe Wanderers.

“I won’t be changing much,” he said, as he prepared his players for the visit to Scunthorpe United. “I will stick to my beliefs and the way I want to go and the way that will be successful in this division.

“I don’t change the way we are going to play week in, week out. I tell the players the same old thing: ‘Go out; be positive; express yourself; don’t be frightened of making mistakes; get on the ball; move the ball when you have to; put balls in the box when you have to; and defend.’ I try to make my instructions simple, but sometimes we make them look difficult.”

Not changing much leaves John the option of tweaking both or either shape and personnel at Glanford Park. He is taking a 20-man squad north, which gives him plenty of scope.

“Everyone’s fit,” he said. “I’ve got a big squad to pick from. Everyone’s fighting for places. There are opportunities for individuals to come in and hopefully get us back to winning ways.

“I want them all training brightly and be ready if they get a chance.”

“Whether I look at playing different players away from home and changing it when we play at home...I will do that if I feel we need to do that.”