We'll Cross That Bridge When We Come To It

...but manager Derek Adams is giving that encounter only a passing thought.

Instead, game number 22 – Boxing Day’s Home Park Westcountry encounter with Yeovil Town – is in the forefront of his mind.

“I’ve looked into Newport’s team and personnel, but my sole concentration is on the Yeovil game,” he said. “Right after the Yeovil game, we will move on to Newport.

“I can look at Newport and how they have been playing, but I can’t set up my team for the Newport game until the Yeovil game finishes.”

With two games inside three days in two countries before a New Year’s Day schlep to Greater Manchester, Argyle’s personnel will be tested this holiday time – just as they have throughout Derek’s tenure.

“It’s been a quick six months,” he said. “It’s been very busy and hectic at times, but I have enjoyed the first 22 games – hopefully I can enjoy the next 24.

“It is difficult for teams in Leagues 1 and 2 that don’t have big squad. It doesn’t give them an opportunity to rotate their squad; there are games when you would maybe have liked to change your team around a bit to give somebody a rest but we haven’t had that opportunity. 

“Over the Christmas period, you play Saturday-Monday-Saturday and it’s probably going back to the 1960s when that used to happen, when you played Christmas Day and Boxing Day. I understand it’s a holiday on the Monday, but, to ask teams to play Saturday and Monday, I don’t think is too fair.

“At this time of the year, it is a difficult couple of days, but we have to get through it. It’s not going to be easy. The last time I had to do that was when we reached the Scottish FA Cup final when we had to pay four games in week – we had to play Saturday-Monday-Wednesday-Saturday. It can be difficult.”