Shifting Focus

Six days after a memorable day out – and result – at Anfield, Argyle avoided the dreaded ‘cup hangover’ and picked up another vital Sky Bet League Two win. The Greens powered back after goals from Matt Godden and Steven Schumacher, with strikes from Jake Jervis, Jordan Slew, Arnold Garita and David Goodwillie keeping them comfortably inside the division’s promotion places.

 

“This is a difficult league, as I keep on saying,” said Adams. “Stevenage have done well away from home this season and we’ve managed to score four goals against them. They haven’t scored from open play today, which is good from our point of view.

 

“In the end, four goals against a team that is on the up is important. I think we were a team who had always shown in the game that we were going to win.”

 

Now, attention turns back to the Emirates FA Cup, as Liverpool travel down to Home Park for a third round replay. After successfully putting the hype surrounding the game to one side, Derek’s side can now prepare for one of the biggest games in the club’s history.

 

“It’s not been an easy week for us,” said Adams. “It’s been very difficult for us.

 

“We’ve got people talking about the Liverpool game since we drew there at Anfield. It’s not been an easy week for us – we’ve seen everything that goes on around the football club. To be fair to the players, they’ve shown a lot of grit and determination to get through the game today.

 

“It’s a big game for Plymouth Argyle. It’s a big game for the city. We can now focus solely on that. It’s going to be a terrific evening.”

 

Team selection for Adams will be interesting to watch, with notable returnees and probable absentees. While Gary Sawyer was named on the bench after considerable time out with a stomach injury, Connor Smith was unable to complete an excellent performance on Saturday, departing in stoppage time with an injury.

 

“He’s just gone in for the tackle and his ankle has gone back in on itself,” said Adams on Smith. “He’s in the treatment room. We’ll just have to assess it; at this moment in time, I’m being told he’s not likely for Wednesday, but we’ll wait and see.

 

“We do look strong. I think that’s important. We’ve had a lot of games already this season. We’ve got a lot of important games to come, and it’s important we have the strength in depth.”