On the Road Again

DEREK Adams praised his players’ ability to not let a journey from hell affect their performance in their narrow defeat to Peterborough United.

The Pilgrims opened up their Sky Bet League One campaign in a frenzied affair at the ABAX Stadium, with Leo Da Silva Lopes and Junior Morias scoring for the hosts, before Gregg Wylde halved the deficit with 15 minutes to go.

Derek’s side fell just short of taking something from the game, despite having to endure a horrendous day’s travel, arriving at their hotel little more than 12 hours before kick-off.

“It took us about 14-and-a-half hours,” said Adams. “We didn’t get here until half past two this morning. We left at 12 o’clock. We’ve had a terrible journey.

“We stopped around seven o’clock and had to get something to eat. We went to a restaurant and hotel. We were there for 45 minutes and then had to get on the road again. After 10 o’clock, the motorways are closed to be repaired. We just had to go on so many detours. They’re not all like that, but sometimes you have to deal with it.”

Astute work from the boss, as well Argyle Head of Operations Jon Back, kind hospitality from a nearby hotel and well-mannered squad proved to be the factors that helped the Pilgrims get through this nightmare journey unscathed.

“I was in contact with Jon Back," said Derek. "Jon was very kindly able to get in contact with the hotel and the manager there looked after us.

“It couldn’t have helped us, but it didn’t show on the pitch in today’s performance. We showed that the character of the player is immense. To be fair to the players, last night, they were very good. They didn’t moan and we just had to get on with it.”