Under Pressure

ARGYLE travel to the Sky Bet League Two leaders this Sunday – but Antoni Sarcevic feels it is table-topping Doncaster Rovers who are the ones under pressure.

The game will pit Doncaster – unbeaten at the Keepmoat Stadium, with the best home record in the division – against Argyle, six points and one place inferior, but with a better record on the road than all 23 of their rivals. 

The onus, Antoni feels, will be on Rovers to not only maintain their record, but see off their nearest challengers into the bargain. 

“It’s more pressure on them,” said Antoni. “We will go there knowing that all the pressure will be on their shoulders and we will make sure that we go out and do our jobs and get the win.

“It’s the two teams that you would expect to be at the top, and at the minute it looks like either of can go for the top spot. It’s a massive one on Sunday.

“We’re in a good spot to push on for promotion at the end of the season. If we get that win we will be looking at getting a top spot. 

“If you come in second or third it’s a successful season, but it would be nice to know toward the end of the season to know that you’re in touching distance for the title and you can go for that. The lads will be right up for it.”

Argyle beat Doncaster 2-0 when the sides met at Home Park earlier in the season. The Greens allowed Rovers to come on to them at times in the match, but were solid at the back and ruthlessly effective going forward, with goals from Graham Carey and a Jake Jervis penalty enough to gain the three points. 

Antoni was not a Pilgrim at that point, but he has been involved in a variety of Argyle home fixtures. Occasionally Argyle have struggled against defensive outfits at the Theatre of Greens, but prospered against more expansive sides, such as Doncaster. 

The midfielder is confident that Argyle’s game management will stand them in good stead as they look to be first team this season to leave south Yorkshire with three points.

“I played against them last year in League One; they were a good side and they have very good players. They have recruited well again for this year in League Two. They’re a strong side, but I think with our squad and our team on paper it’s definitely one we can go and win again. 

“Since I have been here teams come to our place and don't really come to attack so it’s a bit frustrating in that department. If we don't break them down within 60 or 70 minutes our crowd will start to get a bit flustered and the lads do as well. 

“Playing away, they’ll be a team thinking the same in front of their home fans and it gives us the license to play against a team that’s going to be coming out to us.”