Confidence is a Preference

ARGYLE travel to Scunthorpe United on Easter Monday full of confidence after defeating Southend United 4-0 – and full of knowledge, too, with manager Derek Adams carrying out some scouting before Good Friday’s win.

The Greens stated their intentions once again of competing hard for a Sky Bet League One play-off place, not just by moving back into the top six, but by doing so with a dominant display over the Shrimpers. Braces from both Ruben Lameiras and Graham Carey ensured a superb performance received the deserved rewards.

The squad will now head north over the Easter weekend and prepare for one of many massive encounters coming up against fellow promotion contenders. The Iron have been automatic promotion contenders for much of both this season and last, but are now working hard just to remain in the play-off places. Despite the two-day turnaround, Adams and his staff will certainly be doing their homework on the opposition – including watching their televised match against Oxford United on Good Friday afternoon.

“I thought that Scunthorpe played very well against Oxford,” said Derek, “especially in most of the first half. They could’ve been a few goals up. The game eventually finishes 1-1.

“I think that we’re playing with confidence. We’re scoring goals, we’re creating chances, and we go there in a confident mood. That’s something that, in any football player or in any team sport, that you want to do.

“Today, we’ve put ourselves back into the top six, and put ourselves in a really good position with seven games to go. Monday, it’s down to six, and it quickly becomes the end of the season. We’ve got to be delighted to get on 60 points at this stage, and keep on marching forward.”

The Pilgrims will head to Glanford Park after saying goodbye to a prominent member of the backroom staff. Craig Brewster, who has played a sterling role alongside Adams over the past three seasons, will now officially leave Home Park and seek new opportunities, having been released from his contract. Kevin Nancekevill, who has taken up a first-team coaching role during Craig’s recent absence, will continue to be in the dugout for the remainder of the season.

“I just have allowed him to leave the football club,” said Adams on Craig. “I wasn’t going to renew his contract at the end of the season, so it was best that we parted ways at this moment in time, to allow himself and ourselves to really move forward for the future.

“At this moment in time, he [Kevin] will do that until the end of the season, and then I will make a decision.”