Jake's Place

Following on from a dramatic victory at Portsmouth, and needing points to stay in the automatic promotion race, Argyle took charge when they visited Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium. 

Reuben Reid’s first half injury looked a setback, but after Peter Hartley scored the opener late in the first half, Reid’s replacement Jake Jervis came off the bench to excellent effect, scoring a brace as Argyle ended up comfortable 3-1 winners. 

Prior to another trip to East London, Jake again has found himself starting games on the bench. Manager Derek Adams sprung a surprise, prior to Argyle’s home match against Cambridge a little over two weeks ago, by changing five of his starting line-up. Jervis was among those who suffered because of the excellent performances from the clutch of replacements. 

That is not to say Jake has not had a part to play. He was a half-time substitute with Argyle 2-0 at Exeter City, and helped to push Argyle over the line on that afternoon. A week later, he was again brought on at the interval, this time with the Pilgrims trailling Hartlepool United, and it was Jake who stepped up to convert a penalty, six minutes from time, to earn the Greens a point. 

Last season’s top goalscorer, and a man Adams has signed twice, is still very much in the manager’s thoughts. With Paul-Arnold having travelled, but still a doubt for the Orient match, there could be an space available, but that may not be where Derek sees Jake’s involvement laying. 

“Jake has always been in my mind,” said Derek. “He has scored goals, but we have good competition for places now. It has shown this season that Jake is again on the goalscoring charts. 

“He is a wide striker, so to speak. He is not a central striker. He has contributed a good number of goals form that position. If you can get that in you team it is something that is going to benefit us.

“He’s not [a target man]. He is more one that wants to run in behind, take the ball in tight areas, and then is able to run the full-backs. He can play in a two up front, but he is more of a player that likes to run onto the ball than receive it with his back to the game.”