Pomp and Circumstance

Portsmouth will travel to Argyle off the back of a 3-0 league victory against Dagenham and Redbridge, and a 2-1 Capital One Cup victory against Derby County. Derek watched Portsmouth's game against the Rams, but doesn't think Pompey will field a similar side to that as Wednesday night.

"I watched it on the television," said Derek, "and obviously they have got a number of their fringe players getting a game so that is good for them. They have got their first team for Saturday to play, they didn't play many players last night [Wednesday] that will play on Saturday so we'll wait and see.

"Of course, they've put a lot of backing and made a lot of signings over the summer so I would presume that they are saying they will be one of the ones that will be up at the top end of the league this season.

"I think when you make seven changes then it becomes very difficult to watch [and assess]. Both teams made changes last night so it will not be the same team that plays on Saturday. I think they will revert back to their starting 11 from Saturday. They have rested seven players last night so they will have the opportunity again Saturday. They haven't rested them for no reason. They are not going to rest them and not play them Saturday.

"They have had a very good start at home. They have taken in a lot of players. They had nine debuts last Saturday. They've got a relatively new squad, and a big squad at that if you can make seven changes in a League Cup night.

"When you look at the squad and what they have been able to do over the summer then they would probably have to be the favourites."

Argyle have a fully fit side apart from Jake Jervis, who went off early on against Gillingham with an injury, which looks like it may keep him out. Jake was replaced by Craig Tanner against Gillingham, and Craig, on-loan from Sky Bet Championship side Reading, put Argyle ahead with a stunning volley.

"[Jake] will be out for Saturday. We're just assessing his groin injury and we'll see from there. He's out for Saturday but we'll just assess him over the next few days to see how long of a period he will be out for. It's hard to tell at this moment in time but he is moving better than we first thought. Hopefully it is not as long as we first feared.

"Craig came in and fitted in seamlessly into the system, into the team and scored a marvellous goal so he obviously does come into our thoughts and we've got other players in the team who are on the bench as well who could possibly come in as well."