About Belief

A DOMINANT Argyle performance in their third unsuccessful visit to Lancashire this season was not enough to preserve their unbeaten record in Accrington.

Kal Naismith’s 13th-minute goal gave Stanley a first-ever homefield victory against Argyle – at their fifth attempt.

It came from a rare attack by Accrington, who spent most of the Sky Bet League 2 match penned in by an Argyle side that enjoyed 59% possession and forced 15 corners to their hosts’ two.

All of which was of little consolation to Pilgrims’ manager John Sheridan.

“We dominated the game, but we’ve lost,” he said. “I accept it’s not good enough: we’ve lost the game and it’s a game definitely we should have won.

“We’ve had all the possession; we’ve had the opportunities; but we didn’t score a goal, so we have got to look at that and what we can do better. I’m not here to make excuses again. I’ve just got to stay strong and believe in what we’re doing because I thought we looked a good team.

“I actually don’t think we played badly but we got beat. Again, it’s no points. We played well and looked a good team. The game was definitely there for the taking.

“I’m very frustrated. I know the fans are frustrated – they have come to support us and to see us win and we’re not winning games, so I accept it. We have got to stick together and work very, very hard to try and win football matches and get back to winning ways.

“We’ve got beat – I’ll hold my hands up – and we’ve got to try and get back to winning ways against Shrewsbury next week.

“I don’t know if the players really thought they could go and win the game. At half-time in the dressing-room, no-one was saying a word – we’re so quiet as a team. I just want them to push each other a little bit more and think we can get out of this league.

“That’s all I’m asking for them – if they can get a bit of belief in themselves.”