Open to Progress

CARLISLE United make their second trip of the season to Home Park on Saturday, and Argyle manager Derek Adams is expecting another fast, open affair.

The Emirates FA Cup first round tie is a repeat fixture from August, when goals from Graham Carey, Reuben Reid and a brace from Jake Jervis secured a 4-1 win for Argyle. Nevertheless, Adams saw signs from an attack-minded United side, and is prepared for an exciting fixture this weekend, with the prospect of a replay in Cumbria looming. 

“They impressed me when they were here last time,” said Derek. “They did play with a freedom and they were gung-ho. 

“They have had a very good start to the season; they have the majority of teams in the bottom half of the table and are yet to play the difficult teams in the league – the likes of Portsmouth, Oxford, etc. They have changed about a bit, and taken in a number of loan signings as well. We’ll see a wee bit of a different team. 

“We will try to finish the game on Saturday. Both teams will probably think the same. Nobody wants to go to a replay, so we’ll probably see an open match. You want to progress to the next round, so you might as well go for it." 

Once Argyle return to Sky Bet League Two action next weekend, they will make the trip to York, as the visitors for their first home game under new manager Jackie McNamara. Derek knows the fellow Scot well from their time managing in the Scottish Premier League, and expects him to enjoy the change in scenery. 

“Jackie’s a good lad,” said Adams. “He’s had very good success at Dundee United. We obviously go there in a couple of weeks’ time, so I look forward to meeting up with him again and Simon Donnelly, his assistant. 

“I think that we’ve come from a league that’s difficult to play in. Both of us know how to work under restrictions and get results. I think that’s something that people want nowadays. 

“I’ve enjoyed coming down here. I’ve enjoyed the competitiveness of the league. I think the games have been interesting; it gets you away from the grind of playing teams four times in the Scottish Premier League. You only go to an away ground once, and I think Jackie will enjoy that. There’s a lot of good football played in this league.”