Home Comforts

IN their last six games, it is fair to say that John Sheridan’s Argyle have been the epitome of inconsistency.

Three losses and three wins in that time has meant that the Pilgrims points count has been reasonable – extrapolated over the season it would become 69 points; a reasonable tally, but likely not quite enough to reach the play-offs – but it is some way off the consistency Sheridan would like to see.

There is also a clear disparity between the Greens’ form at home and on the road. In five games at Home Park, Argyle have won three and drawn one, with a solitary defeat. This is on top of an exciting 3-3 draw over 120 minutes with Leyton Orient in the Capital One Cup. 

Away from home, it has been a different story. Four defeats from five matches tells its own story, with only a 1-0 win at Luton accounting for any road points.

The most recent away defeat – last Saturday, at Accrington Stanley – was a hard one to take. The Pilgrims were totally dominant, beating Accrington all ends up on every stat apart from the crucial one – the one on the scoresheet.

The manager is looking to bounce back to winning ways when Argyle meet Shrewsbury Town at Home Park this Saturday in Sky Bet League 2, and to hopefully build on last weekend’s performance.

“I’ve watched the video, and I thought it was a really good team performance,” said John. “I thought we looked a good team on the day and I’m very disappointed that we didn’t come away with nothing.

“I’ve said to the players, on the day just to and be really hungry, and believe that we can beat them.”

If Argyle have a mixed record at home and away, they have nothing on Shrewsbury. Micky Mellon’s men have been imperious at Greenhous Meadow, winning five of seven games in all competitions, conceding just one goal, and beating Blackpool and Norwich in the Capital One Cup.

Away from Shropshire, though, it has been a different matter entirely. After drawing their first two League 2 games on the road, they have lost their last four without registering a goal.

The Argyle boss is hoping to exploit Shrewsbury’s poor away record, but is customarily wary of their threat. 

John is looking to try and get the ball rolling, knowing that a couple of good results could see Argyle jump up the division – Shrewsbury are seven places above the Pilgrims, but only have two more points.

Said John, of Shrewsbury: “They haven’t had the best results travelling, so we have to look at that.

“Our best performances have probably been at home, and where we’ve picked most of our points up.

“Any team who wins two or three games on the spin, usually jumps six or seven places in this division.

“Knowing Micky he’ll have his players focused, he’ll know that the away forms been poor, and he’ll try to come here and get a good result against us.

“I’m sure it’s in the back of their mind, but I’m sure he’ll be focused on their game against us.”