Fitting In, Getting Fit

...the positive news is that manager Derek Adams reports that neither man is too badly hurt, after they each limped out of Argyle’s 3-2 defeat at home to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night. 

Bradley, who lasted just 15 minutes against the Londonders, before succumbing to a thigh injury, is rated as a possible for the long old poke to Victoria Park. Sarcevic, who hurt his achilles following a cynical tackle, may be out for a week or more. 

“They’re not too bad,” said Derek. “Sarcevic will be out for Saturday, but is not as bad as first feared. For Sonny Bradley, there is a possibility he will be fit for Saturday. He has a thigh strain that I think he picked up in the warm-up. He felt it, and it gradually got worse. 

“That’s the good news; there are no long-term injuries. They are both big players for us. Sonny Bradley has been a rock at centre-half. He has been a big signing for us. Good on the ball, very good defensive and offensively. He’s one we would like to have fit. 

“Sarcevic has come in in the January window and scored two goals, in two and a bit games. He’s looking a really good signing. I’m hoping he will be fit for Luton. That’s what we’re looking at.”

Sarcevic’s start has been eycatching, with the attacking midfielder scoring the only goal of the game in his debut at Cambridge, and adding the opening goal on Tuesday. 

He was one of five January signings for Argyle. He joined strikers Ryan Taylor and Nathan Blissett, winger Matty Kennedy, and defender Jakub Sokolik. Kennedy has also scored two goals, with Taylor and Sokolik scoring one apiece since arriving. 

Derek said of their arrivals: “When I was in the transfer window, looking for five players, we’ve taken in a goalscoring midfielder; a wide-man was always going to be the one, in Kennedy – he’s scored two goals; Taylor has been exceptional since he has come to the football club; Sokolik has helped in defence; and Blissett we have hopes for. He has found it difficult only because Taylor has shown the form he has. 

“He’s come to a big football club. It’s a massive club, and the demands are different to playing in the National League. That’s not disrespect, it is just a matter of fact. 

“Taylor has been an excellent signing for us, and you look at Sarcevic, who has come in and scored two goals. Kennedy has done the same. It is important we have goalscorers in the team. We probably have about ten players who can contribute in that area. 

“Matty is one that I have tracked over the January transfer window, and we were able to get in near the end, which was very positive. I have to thank [Cardiff boss] Neil Warnock, a former manager here, for allowing me to have him, because he was in and around their first team. He’s come here, has been given starts, which he needs, and showed what a good player he is. 

“I’m delighted with him. He is very confident; he is direct; he likes to get on the ball and take it for a dribble.  He completes passes as well – when he is in the final third, he finds a striker. He was unfortunate not to score twice on Tuesday night. 

“We’ve got a lot of goalscorers in the team. We don’t have a 20-goal striker, but we have ten players that can score goals.”