Down to Them

JOHN Sheridan’s tactics are as responsible as anything for Argyle’s surge towards the Sky Bet League 2 play-off zone but the Pilgrims’ manager has been keen to pass on the praise.

Two away wins in four days, at Dagenham & Redbridge and Fleetwood, has seen Argyle rise to their highest position in the division in which they are playing since their Championship days.

A recall to arms for Paul Wotton; reversion to three at the back at Dagenham; one holding midfielder at Fleetwood; and other tweaking and tinkering by the manager has assured the Pilgrims are on the on the coat-tails of the promotion contenders.

Yet John plays down his part in the six-point haul.  He said: “It’s down to the players, more than anything else. I can talk all day. The players have showed a bit of character this season. When we are not in games and we get something out of them, it is always a good sign.

“The other night, I was watching people working really hard in the last two or three minutes, running 60-70 yards to stop the opposition scoring when we were 4-0 up. Those are good signs, for me. Probably other people don’t notice things like that, but that’s what I want from my players – determination and a will to win.

“If you have got that, going with the ability you have got a good chance of being successful.

“I have always had a really good dressing-room. I think I’ve got a good group of players. There are none who will try to spoil anything because we won’t let that happen. They are fighting for each other, which is a good sign, and people can see that.”

It is that will to win that gives John belief that the Pilgrims can get enough points in the 14 games left in their regular season to extend the campaign.

“I have said we have got to win as many games as quickly as you can and get yourself in a position where you think you’ve got a chance,” said John. “We have got to continue doing that. I believe I have got good enough players to be near the top of the table, rather than the bottom.

“We have done nothing at the moment. We are on a good run; we have got ourselves in a decent position – 14 games to go; plenty of points to pay for. There is a bit of a chance there and we have got to aim for that.

“I have said there is always going to be someone who comes out of the pack and I keep saying ‘Why can’t it be Plymouth?’ That’s what I’ll keep telling the players and, hopefully, they will respond to that like they have done.”