Not Up To Scratch

DEREK Adams knows that his Argyle side did not match their lofty expectations in their 2-0 Emirates FA Cup defeat to Carlisle United.

The Greens bowed out of the FA Cup at their first hurdle, as a fired-up and disciplined Carlisle side took the game away from Argyle in the first half. After Antony Sweeney opened the scoring, Hallam Hope netted his first Cumbrians goal on 41 minutes. 

“We didn’t play well enough today,” said Derek. “I thought we didn’t create any chances. 

“It wasn’t the best game of football and Carlisle, to be fair to them, they dogged it out. They got the two-goal lead and were able to hang onto it, but we didn’t put them under any sustained pressure.

“We didn’t perform to the standards that we can do. That’s something you’re going to get from time to time. You have to deal with it, and we’ve had an excellent spell to start the season, but we need to pick ourselves up and go again.” 

Adams immediately looked to work with his players to write off their cup defeat and move on quickly to Tuesday night, as the Greens host Millwall in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area quarter-final.

“I spoke to them after the game; we spoke about things, told them what I think, and we’ll pick it up on Monday and go again,” said Adams. 

When asked if he will make changes for the cup game, Derek said: “We haven’t thought it about yet, because I just take things on a daily basis. I’ll have a wee think about it over the weekend, and see how we go for Tuesday."
 
Reuben Reid and Hiram Boateng missed the Carlisle game through injury, and look set to miss out on the midweek fixture, as well. “Both of them will not be available for Tuesday night,” said Derek. “That’s as far as I know at this moment in time, but we’ll assess them on a daily basis.”