A Little Respect

With Argyle seven points ahead of their nearest challengers at the summit after a third of the season, their rivals are only too aware of the Pilgrims’ potential potency.

“We’re looking forward to being at home,” said Derek, as he prepared his side for Saturday’s Armed Services Day game against Grimsby Town. “It is probably more difficult, being at home at this moment in time because teams are coming and sitting in.

“It hasn’t happened many times this season when teams have come at us at home – they have sat deep and we have had to be patient and find that creativity that the players have.

“It’s probably the nature of how well we have done, the respect that other teams are showing us.

“As a team, and as a manager and players, we understand the game and what it is going to be. Teams come away from home and sit in and are delighted if they can go away with a point from here. 

“It is different when we go away from home, when the home team has to come out and try to please the home fans by winning the match. It leaves opportunities for us because we have got creativity; we have got pace in the side.

“We have got a group of players who are all capable of doing something different: good defenders; midfield players who can get on the ball; midfield players that can stop attackers; players that can create assists; goalscorers – we have got a whole array of talent in the team.”

What they will not have in the team for Grimsby’s first visit to Home Park in 14 seasons is Latvian centre-back Nauris Bulvitis, who missed the previous weekend’s 2-1 win at Crewe with a calf injury.

Yann Songo’o dropped back to fill alongside Sonny Bradley at the Alexandra Stadium, with Karleigh Osborne still recuperating from  a thigh injury which has seen him play just the second half of a Checkatrade Trophy tie.

“Karleigh’s in and around the squad,” said Derek. “He hasn’t played any first-team matches other than the Swansea 45. I thought it was too much of a risk to throw him straight in; I didn’t think that was fair on him.”

Arnie Garita was on the bench – and nearly came on – against the Alex after a shorter injury break, and he remains in contention for Saturday’s match.

“He’s trained well,” said Derek. “Oscar Threlkeld the same. Both have progressed over the week, which has been very good for us. You want competition for places and it’s important we have all our good players ready.

“They will have lost a bit of match fitness for the period they have been out so we will have to ease them back in to action gradually.”