Riga To Please

Nauris Bulvitis, though, is not satisfied. It is a tad surprising; Nauris has played four games for Plymouth Argyle, winning three, and scoring the winner in two, including the only goal in Argyle’s 1-0 victory at Blackpool on Saturday. 

The Latvian international, speaking in the immediate aftermath of the game, was clearly pleased with the victory, but less elated with his own contribution thus far.

When asked directly if he was satisfied with his input thus far, Nauris bluntly responded: “No.”

“Defensively, no,” he elaborated. “It is good that I can help the team, scoring a couple of goals. But defensively I have to work more, and I hope I just need a little more time to settle into League Two football. 

“[I need to improve] everything. I am very angry at myself, at how I play. I will work hard to get better.”

Getting better is certainly a feature of Argyle’s season. In the season’s opening eight days, the Pilgrims lost two league games and exited the EFL Cup – hardly the perfect start. 

Since then, Argyle have picked up maximum points, winning at Notts County and Blackpool either side of a comfortable home win against Mansfield.

Bulvitis was one of 13 new players signed by Derek Adams during the summer, and has by his own admission taken time to settle in. However, the 29-year-old, who has played in his home land of Latvia, as well as Lithuania, Scotland, Slovakia and Switzerland, seems to be getting the hang of of his latest adopted country. 

“All the boys were angry about how we played the first games, everyone wants to win,” said Nauris. “We have a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. Hopefully we can do it again, next game. 

“We have to have more time together. There are a lot of new players in the team. I am even new to this country. Some things I am not used to. In training, we work very hard – I think the gaffer is happy with how we work. 

“You can always do better. Now we have a couple of home games, and we have to do it again. 

“It is a very hard league. You fight all the time. The ball goes from one end to another, and you have to be very fit. In other leagues where I’ve played the teams try to control the ball more and you have more rest. 

“Even when we had one player more, we had to still run the same. 

“We are moving forward, every game. Everyone tries to do his best, and I hope the next game will be much better than this one. This was a difficult game. 

“At Home Park, in our last game, it was easier. Next game is home, so hopefully we make it easier to win.”