Curtis On Dons Test

CURTIS Nelson believes the clean sheets Argyle have kept this season are down to the whole team and not just the defence.

The Pilgrims captain has been an ever-present this campaign in a side that have conceded just eight goals in 13 Sky Bet League 2 matches, and has caused the opposition to fire a blank on seven occasions.

Small wonder that the Pilgrims head to AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday night brimming with confidence on the back of their latest shutout, a 1-0 against Carlisle United at home – where Argyle have conceded just two league goals this season.

Curtis understands the importance of a strong backline, which has contributed to Argyle winning their last four matches, but sees the whole squad behind the resolute displays.

“Every time we’ve kept a clean sheet, we’ve won the game,” he said, “so hopefully we can carry on with that form.

“It’s been important having a solid six but at the end of the day it’s a team that keeps a clean sheet. On Saturday, it was like pinball in the box come the last couple of minutes, when there were blocks on the line. It’s a team effort when it comes to clean sheets and defending; the same with going forward.”

John Sheridan’s men face a sterner test against a Dons team who have failed to score only twice in all competitions and have the potent Matt Tubbs and Adebayo Akinfenwa lying in wait. The strike duo have been in prolific form this season, scoring 14 league goals between them - 70% of the London club’s total goal tally.

Despite Argyle never losing at Kingsmeadow, Curtis knows a tough encounter lies ahead and is confident the pair can be dealt with.

 “You expect a test wherever you go,” he said. “It’ll be a different test to the two strikers we played against on Saturday and the previous weeks, but it’ll be something we’ll be looking to deal with.

“Obviously Tubbs is a bit smaller than Akinfenwa; he’s a bit more nippy and sharp, but they both come with different attributes and have got a name for themselves in the game – that’s why they’re starting week in week out.

“At the end of the day, you’ve got to play against them, whether you want to or not, and you’ve got to deal with that.”