Club News
Keep Out
11th December 2016
SONNY Bradley says that Argyle's defensive performance against Doncaster is one that the Pilgrims are very proud of.
The 2-0 win returned Argyle to the top of the league, and also meant that the Pilgrims were the first team to keep Doncaster out in a Sky Bet League Two game this season.
"It is a defensive performance that we are very proud of," said Sonny. "It is a clean sheet that we can build on now. We went on a decent 14 game unbeaten run, and if we can put another one of those together in the second half of the season then I certainly think we will be up there in the top three.
"I thought everyone at the back today was brilliant. I'll point out Oscar - he was to the left of me so I see more of him, but he was outstanding today, he put his body on the line and when you have got a left back who does that for you it makes your job a little bit easier.
"I was well aware that they [Doncaster] scored a lot of goals, but I was also aware that they have got the second worse defensive record in the league. We knew it could have been a game full of goals so the fact that we have kept them out is an extra little bonus for us. I think they have had a good go at us. There were a couple of chances in the first half. It could have gone either way but in the end we have kept them out and we are delighted with that."
Doncaster saw more of the ball than Argyle, but an efficient and effective performance from the Greens saw them regain the winning feeling that has evaded them in recent weeks.
"It did kind of look like an away performance", said Sonny, "but what mattered today was the result and the three points. We have played three or four games lately here; we have dominated the ball against Barnet and Grimsby, have not scored a goal and have not come up with the result. It's been disappointing. Today it was important that we were solid - that is our second clean sheet in a row now so we are delighted with that and hopefully we can just build on that now."
Argyle had to be organised and defend deep at times, but when Jake Jervis doubled the lead for the Pilgrims, it helped ease the pressure.
"Some people say 2-0 is a little bit worse than 1-0," said Sonny. "But not when you are going into the last 10-15 minutes of the game. They have had a penalty an a man sent off. It has all just gone our way a little bit today. I think the last few games, I think there is a few things; take Connor's chance at Newport and a few things at Barnet and Grimsby where it has not quite gone our way. Were we the better team today? Probably not. I think it was quite even.
"When it came down to it we put the ball in the back of the net and we kept a clean sheet and that is what it is all about."