Putting Things Right

The Greens recorded a goalless draw against Newport and Home Park, despite Sean Rigg seeing after leaving the ground and using both feet to challenge for a ball Jervis in the first half.

"I just remember him coming in with a lunge and that was it really, and the ref sent him off," said Jake. "As I've seen him lunging, I've just tried to roll the ball so I could try and run away with it.

 

"I'd have to see it again to see whether it was [a red card] or not."

Not for the first time this season, Argyle were tasked with breaking down a side with less than eleven men on the field. Unlike games against the likes of Leyton Orient, though, Jervis and the team were unable to make the breakthrough, as the visitors regained their discipline and defended in numbers.

 

"If you look at Leyton Orient, it's the same: we dominated in the first half," said Jake, "then with the sending offs, we didn't move the ball as well. 

"Obviously they're going to get men behind the ball and make it difficult, but we need to adapt and keep positive really, and keep going forward. If it doesn't right for us, just keep going and keep going. 

"It's a weird thing. Obviously you're thinking with less men it'll be easier, but they become tighter. They move in narrow and obviously you get chances to cross it, but there's more people in the middle, so it makes it difficult. But we need to adapt and live with it."

 

The Pilgrims were hamstrung by injuries to an array of first team players, meaning a number of youngsters filled spots on the bench. Louis Rooney came on as a substitute in the second half, followed by debutant forward Alex Fletcher. 

"The young boys have come in and they've just got to try and make a name for themselves," said Jervis. "Obviously it's difficult coming into a game like that, but they're trying to nick a goal and help us out. I think they played well when they came on. 

On Fletcher's debut, Jake said: "I know he's scored quite a lot of goals - he scored a few in the FA Youth Cup, so I know he can get goals. The boys know about him; he's trained with us a few times and we know he's a great finisher." 

Argyle head to Newport for a second time this season next Tuesday night, already armed with the knowledge of who their opponents will be in the third round with a victory. As well as that motivator Jervis fully expects his side to be intent on righting some of the wrongs of this goalless draw in the replay. 

"We're confident playing against anyone, especially at this level," said Jervis, "so hopefully we can go there and put things right. If we moved the ball as we did early on in the game and get a goal, I think we'll kill off any attack that they bring. 

"We're still in the hat, so hopefully we can go there in the replay on Tuesday night, get a result and be in the next round."