Small Consolations

JOHN Sheridan was delighted that his side managed to pick up a point on a difficult evening against Stevenage.

The Pilgrims struggled to carry over their excellent display on Saturday against Exeter City, and fell behind after 54 minutes thanks to a header from Boro substitute Connor Calcutt.

Graham Westley’s visiting side threw the Greens off of their usual fluid style of football, and seemed to have the game sewn up as the clock ticked into stoppage time.

However, Bira Dembele was then adjudged to have handled the ball inside his area, and Deane Smalley stepped up to smash home the penalty, earning Argyle an unlikely draw.

Whilst remaining disappointed with the performance, Sheridan was pleased with how his team refused to lay down and accept defeat.

“The only positive thing is that we got a point out of the game and never said die,” said John.

“If that game happened one or two seasons ago, we probably would have lost 1-0. We will hold our hands up and say we have not played well, but we have come out of the game with something.

“I did not enjoy the game one bit. I think everyone is just relieved that we got a point out of the game. The fans tried to get behind us and get us going, but we have not performed.

“We had to be a bit braver, and I do not think we were. No excuses – I am just happy to get a point. It is hard to talk about, but I will reflect on the game.”

After such a fine display and result in their last outing against the Grecians, John was disappointed to once again be talking about that magic word: consistency.

John said: “It was a big game, obviously, on Saturday, but then we come into tonight and we were very flat. We have got a point; I would have liked to get three, but I thought we were
very scrappy. I do not think we really got going at all.

“I beat myself up about it, and I probably keep coming out here, saying the same things and repeating myself, but we have just got to be careful, because it is all about consistency.”