Pitch Too Perfect

ON many occasions this season, Argyle have received plaudits for their pitch. However, manager John Sheridan is beginning to wonder whether it is too good for the players.

Following the 2-0 loss to fellow Sky Bet League 2 play-off chasers Oxford United, John spoke about how his team has not managed to use the facilities to their own advantage.

“We’re at home, on the best pitch in the league, and we can’t put two passes together,” he said.

“The pitch is like Wembley. So why do we struggle with the ball?”

Having left Luke Young, one of the better passers that Argyle have, out of the squad for the past two matches, John made it clear that he will not be omitted for the Easter games at Bury, on Good Friday, and home to AFC Wimbledon, on Bank Holiday Monday.

John said: “I've not put him on the bench and I've stuck with the players, but he's the only one who can pass it.

“Even if he's having a bad game, he might play that killer pass, and I've left him out today.

“He won’t be left out on Friday, believe me.”

The defeat to Oxford means that the Pilgrims have lost ground in the play-off race and, oddly, it is the home form that has been letting them down.

The Greens have lost only two of their last five away games, compared to three defeats from the last five home games.

“The pitch is probably too good for us,” said John. “We were not confident enough to zip [the ball] around.

“I might end up digging the pitch up and training on it every week.”