United Front

The game was decided by goal from Reggie Lambe eight minutes from the end of a first half dominated by the home side’s physical, direct, approach.

Argyle’s new-look side – Nauris Bulvitis was their 11th debutant of the season – responded with a better second-half showing but still left Brunton Park without a point or goal from their two league games this season.

“It is always difficult when you come away from home here,” said Derek. “We would have hoped to come back with a better result.

“We finished the game strongly. We didn’t play well enough in the first half, but the second half was a much better showing from us. We are getting to a point where we are getting to gel a little bit better. We have got a lot of new signings in the team, it is not easy. 

“That takes time and we all know we do not have a lot of time to do that but we have to get up and running as quickly as possible.”

The manager’s appraisal was echoed by defender Gary, whose second-half shot that was cleared from the line was as close as the Pilgrims came to levelling. 

“We’re only two games in and there are a lot of new players, but we have got to look past that and keep fighting together,” he said. “There is positivity in the side: we are creating chances; we are having shots that are going over the bar or getting a wee scrape here and there.  It’ll come. We just need to keep digging away and, when it goes in, things will kick off from there.

“We just need to keep going and keep battling away. It doesn’t really look like we’re getting a bit of luck at the moment, to be honest, but we just need to keep building character; fighting together; and be a bit harder to beat.

“Everybody’s disappointed. We can talk about it forever but we need to get on the pitch and do it, get a win and get a goal. I’m sure there will be a massive lift when that happens and we’ll kick on from there.

“It’s times like this when you do need to come together. Hopefully it will help us and we’ll build a good team spirit and start to fight back. 

“We need to difficult to beat, maybe a bit more ruthless. These things will come as we get to know each other and as we get used to it. Everybody needs to put in everything they have got.”