Tough, But Sensible

CARL McHugh was feeling very positive after Argyle’s 2-1 defeat to Yeovil Town, giving praise to his team-mates and the club's pre-season preparation.

The 21-year-old started at left-back for the penultimate friendly before the season gets underway, and watched Reuben Reid slot home a superb individual effort on ten minutes to open the scoring.

Yeovil, though, hit back, with a long-range curler from Liam Davis making it 1-1 before a deflected effort from Sam Hoskins agonisingly found the net with nine minutes to go.

Despite the defeat, McHugh was very pleased with the performance against the Glovers, and believes there is plenty to take from the game.

"Whatever the score was, I think we did quite well in stages,” said Carl. “We passed the ball around really well at the start of the second half. There were just a few sloppy moments that could have been avoided.

“I think there are a lot of positives to be taken out of the game. There was not a lot between the two teams, apart from a few sloppy mistakes that we can iron out as we go forward.

“I do not think there was much anyone could have done for their second goal, but there are still a lot of positives moving forward.

Much like his manager John Sheridan, McHugh singled out Jason Banton as a player who impressed on the night, as well as someone he relishes linking up with on the field.

“I enjoy playing behind Bants. He was brilliant in the first half tonight,” said Carl.

“He is a real threat going forward, and I think he will cause full backs a lot of problems in this league. He will be a big player for us.”

The Irishman believes the good performances shown this pre-season against opposition in higher divisions is a result of excellent preparation on the training field – led by Sheridan, John Harbin, Shaun McCarthy and Paul Wotton.

“We have had a really good pre-season with John (Harbin), the gaffer, Macca (Sean McCarthy) and Wottsy (Paul Wotton),” he said. It has been really tough, but sensible at the same time.

“There has been a lot of football work and match-related stuff, so it has been enjoyable but tough. Hopefully we will feel the benefits of it.

“Friendlies are great but nothing beats competitive games, fighting for three points. I think we are all just counting down now to that first day of the season.

“Hopefully we will have a good performance on Saturday, get another week of training under our belts, and then it is full steam ahead.”