In The Chair

Just three days after beating Accrington Stanley 1-0 at Home Park, they visit Wycombe Wanderers – second in Sky Bet League 2 and with a defence that has broken a lot of strikers’ hearts this season.

Incredibly for a team that was 90 minutes away from resuming their non-league status they relinquished only in 1993, the Chairboys have lost just three matches in this campaign, two of them at Adams Park.

A defence which has conceded just one goal in seven matches since Christmas has enabled them to pick up 15 points in that septet. Small wonder that there is a real respect for Gareth Ainsworth’s team.

“They are one of the best teams in the league,” said Argyle midfielder Anthony O’Connor. “Their manager has got them playing ruthless football; they are clinical in front of goal and have a good defensive record. 

“It is going to be difficult for us but we know what we are capable of and we know we can beat anyone in the league – we have shown that before – so we go there with no fear.”

Anthony was playing for Torquay United against Wycombe on the final day of last season, when victory for the Gulls would have demoted the Chairboys. 

“It’s a bit weird they were fighting to stay in the league last season and now they are fighting up around the top,” he said. “Football’s a strange game. 

“We know they are a good team but we’re also a good team. We are not going there, sitting back and hoping they don’t sore against us or playing for a draw, we are going to be going and win the game ourselves.

"They will be cautious of us, as well. They’ll know we’re a good team and what we’re all about. It should be a good game.”

Pilgrims’ forward Lewi Alessandra, whose 42nd-minute goal against Accrington removed the monkey from Argyle’s back, has good memories of Argyle’s win 1-0 at Adams Park last season to draw upon.

“We went and did a job on them, quite well,” he said, of the 1-0 victory achieved by a spectacular Conor Hourihane goal. “I wouldn’t have said we were the better team on the night but we scored late on and saw the game out. It was a good, professional, away performance and we’ll be looking for the same again.

“I think a few people are bit surprised they have not dropped off yet, so it shows they have got something about them – they are still right up there – but we are just hoping we can go there and get a good result. 

“I’d like to think, on our day, with the players we’ve got, we could break down anyone. We know the task ahead; whoever plays knows it’s going to be a tough game.

“It is their away form which has been the biggest thing for them, whereas they have not been as great at home – they have drawn a lot of games. We are looking to build on Saturday’s win and hopefully get another three points.”