Shez: "No Excuses"

JOHN Sheridan shouldered full responsibility for Argyle’s 1-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.

Returning to Home Park for the first time in 18 days, the Pilgrims were eager to return to winning ways after losing 2-1 to Morecambe but were thwarted by an industrious Chairboys performance and a former Argyle player.

In the 36th minute, Joe Jacobson’s corner was headed towards goal by Aaron Pierre, allowing Paul Hayes – who made seven appearances in a Green shirt last season – to nod the ball home from inside the six-yard box.

Despite a flurry of attacks early on in the second half, Sheridan’s team was unable to break down the visitors’ defences. Following the game, the manager refused to justify his side’s performance, and was ready to take the blame.

“The performance was not good enough – there are no excuses,” said John.

“I will take it on the chin, whatever criticism I get. We have got to be better as a group. I can pick a team – everyone can pick a team, and think so and so should be playing – but I picked a team that hopefully was going to win us the game.

“We are not going to hide anything. I totally agree with what everyone is saying, or what they are going to say, because the performance was not good enough. Usually when we have played alright, I will stand up and say we have played alright.”

The loss is Argyle’s first of the season so far at the Theatre of Greens, and John knows that changes may have to be made before Saturday’s game against Hartlepool United.

“It is back to the drawing-board,” he said. “You get two [good] results, and now we have had two bad results, so it is very disappointing. I am the manager, so I will take responsibility.

“We have got to get back to winning ways.

“There was a game there to be won. I thought we had one or two decent opportunities before they scored, but then a few heads dropped, and we did not pick it up again.

“There is not a lot to say about the game, so I just need to pick myself up and pick the players up and hopefully try and get the result we want on Saturday.”