Niall Canavan Coventry 1

THE dust had barely settled, and the Green Army were only just on the M6 on their route home, and Niall Canavan was already wishing it was Tuesday.

After a 1-0 defeat to Coventry, in which Amadou Bakayoko scored the game’s only goal from the penalty spot, Niall was keen to look to Tuesday’s home game against Wycombe Wanderers as the Pilgrims still seek their first win of the Sky Bet League One season. 

All three games so far have seen the Greens concede a penalty, and this match was made even harder after losing captain Jamie Ness to two cautionable offences just before the hour mark. 

Argyle battled, and were on top as the game concluded, even with a man disadvantage, but could not get a goal to earn a point. 

“We didn’t play to our standards in the first half,” said Niall. “We gave away another penalty, and you’re always playing a chasing game from there. Add in the sending off, and it’s not the greatest of away days, but we go again. 

“It’s small margins. Key decisions are costing us in the minute. Once we get that first win we’ll be rolling. Even with ten men we have pinned back for the majority of the second half. Once we unlock the door it’ll come. 

“Anyone watching will have spent a lot of time looking at their goal. That’s pleasing from our point of view, but it’s frustrating to not do it with 11 on the field. That’s something for us to look at, and to work on. 

“It’s nice to have a chance to put things right pretty much straight away. Even better when it’s at home in front of our fans. We will knuckle down and put things right from today. 

“You work harder, and you will get your rewards in the end. We can’t look to last season as a way that it can happen. We have to go out and start a run as soon as possible; Tuesday is our chance to put our foot down and move up the league.” 

Canavan had made his Argyle debut the previous Tuesday as the Pilgrims surprised Championship side Bristol City with a 1-0 win in the Carabao Cup. Derek Adams had made four changes for that game, but kept faith with the 11 winners at Ashton Gate when naming his side at Coventry. 

“He didn’t name the team until we were in the changing room today,” said Niall. “It’s pleasing to see that if you play well you keep your shirt. With the competition we have in the changing room, that’s what you’ve got to do.”