Positivity is a Plus

ARGYLE manager John Sheridan feels his team has the winning mentality to maintain their current good form to push on over the last 11 games and secure a play-off spot.

The Pilgrims won 1-0 on Tuesday night at Wycombe Wanderers, and have won four of their last five Sky Bet League 2 games. The manager hopes his side can continue the run when we welcome Scunthorpe to Home Park on Saturday.

The three points at Adams Park put Argyle level on points with seventh-placed Southend United, behind them only on goal-difference. John feels there is no pressure on his men, even when the side is so near to the play-offs.

“We’re not putting any pressure on the players,” said John. “I’ve said it from day one. From the start of the season I’ve said I want to get to the play-offs, so they’ve known for a long time where I want us to be as a group. I don't think there’s any pressure, but I think it’s good that we’re playing for something unlike last season when we were fighting to stay in the league.

“We’ve just got to stay focused. The next game is going to be one of the toughest games, so we’re not getting carried away. After the game, we hope to find ourselves closer to the play-offs and closer to the teams above us, but we’ve got to focus on getting a clean sheet in the next game and try to get three points.

“We’re playing the two top teams in the division and we know there’s a reason that they’re in the positions they are and why they’re the top teams.

“Scunthorpe are on a really good run. Russ Wilcox has done a really good job since he’s gone there so it will be a tough game for us and likewise with Chesterfield. It will be a good test for us and hopefully we can get the results we’re after.”

Sheridan hopes this season could spark a change in fortunes for the club, as things are finally looking to have turned around. For the past five seasons Argyle have been fighting – sometimes losing – relegation battles, so it is a welcome change, as the end of the season approaches, to be focussing on the top half of the table, as opposed to the bottom.

“The club’s had some hard times but that’s all in the past,” said John. “Now we’re looking forward and I think we are improving, we’ve shown a lot of character.

“When I came last year, there was a real down, there was a losing mentality and it’s just about becoming positive, listening to the team and the players you bring in.

“I think we’ve shown that this season. It’s a good sign when you lose a game away from home and then go and win one. We did it against York when we were beaten 4-0 and then won three on the trot. That’s all because of the character within the team.

“It’s important to have a good dressing room and I think I have a really good dressing room. We’ve clawed our way and got a few points. Some results are going our way and now we’re a bit closer to teams. That’s what we wanted and I’m very pleased.

“Now, with 11 games to go, we can achieve something.”