Notts Landing

The Pilgrims will have lived up to their nickname by the time they return from Meadow Lane, having travelled around 1,700 miles in eight days – to and fro Carlisle, Reading, and now Nottingham. 

“It’s a tough time,” said Argyle manager Derek Adams. “The journeys don’t feel that they get shorter. But we are looking forward to Tuesday’s game. It is a very good venue and the players will be ready for it. We did well there last year and hopefully we can do the same tomorrow”

Their journeying has so far been fruitless, with no points, no progress in the EFL Cup, and no goals.

Last season saw Argyle take three points at Meadow Lane with a 2-0 victory, since when ex-Argyle manager John Sheridan has taken charge of County. 

Like Argyle, the Magpies have not made a flying start to the campaign, having lost at Yeovil and drawn at home to Stevenage while the Pilgrims lost at home to Luton on the opening day and at Carlisle at the weekend.

Derek, though, feels that the performances have not been all been bad.

“The performance against Luton was very good and we didn’t get out of the game what we deserved,” he said. “We were the better team, but came off worse and the stats will tell you that.

“On Saturday, we didn’t play well in the first half but were a lot better in the second. We didn’t start well – we started slowly – but, as the game went on and into the second half, we became the dominant team.”

Getting the first goal on Tuesday night – a first goal of the season – could prove to be vital for the Greens, who will be without Karleigh Osborne and Ryan Brunt, and have an injury concern over David Fox.  

Derek said: “It’ll be nice to get that first goal and will give us that confidence which we probably need. The players have been working hard but we just need that break.” 

“We need that confidence and then the players will lift themselves a bit more. We can then play the style we are capable of.”

Derek does not feel that the large amount of travelling has an adverse affect on the team. However, he does believe that no club should have to play two away games so far apart in distance so close together in time.

“It’s probably something that should be looked at,” he said. “Teams shouldn’t have a Saturday and a Tuesday game away from home this early in the season.”

“We have to deal with it. We have a tough run of distances to travel but when we get through this spell, it will stand us in good stead.”