Hostile Homecoming

JAKE Jervis is looking forward to welcoming old friends this week, and then sending them away with nothing to show for their visit.

Blackpool visit Home Park on Tuesday for a rearranged Sky Bet League Two that was originally scheduled for January 28, when the Seasiders were otherwise engaged in the Emirates FA Cup.

Lining against Jake and the Pilgrims will be two players with who he shared Wembley heartache last season when Argyle were beaten by Wimbledon in the League Two Play-Off Final.

Forward Jamille Matt and defender Kelvin Mellor are now part of a competitive and unpredictable Blackpool team who will be looking to prevent second-placed Argyle from closing the gap on leaders Doncaster Rovers to a single point.

Jake, who scored the second of the Pilgrims’ goals in their 2-0 win over third-place Carlisle on Saturday, said: “The squad they have got...with their front players, they are strong. It’s going to be a difficult game.

“Obviously, Jamille was here last season, and Kelvin – he’s their main goal-threat now!
 
“He’s a good player – he got a bit of stick in the second half [of last season], down to a few mistakes, which was difficult because we were going for promotion. But, on the whole, he has done well and he’s gone there and continued it.”

Jamille, too, is fondly remembered at Home Park after scoring seven goals in 12 starts while on a late-season loan from Fleetwood Town during Argyle’s promotion charge.

Jake said: “He’s a good friend of mine – we’re in touch regularly – and it will be good to play against him on Tuesday.

“It’s a game in hand on a few teams, so hopefully it can stand us in good stead.”