Unnecessary Comments

ARGYLE manager Derek Adams expressed his disappointment at the level of abuse that he and his players were subjected to by some supporters following the 3-2 Sky Bet League One defeat by Doncaster Rovers.

The injury-hit Pilgrims – almost half their first-team squad is currently sidelined – fell to a third successive loss at Home Park, with goals late in each half by Ruben Lameiras and Graham Carey no consolation against Rovers strikes from John Marquis, who scored twice, and Matty Blair.

The players, who were using new temporary dressing-room, entered and exited the field of play at the Devonport end, where, after the game, a small section of the crowd vented some strong feelings in a way which Derek felt overstepped the mark. 

“We all get judged on results and we know that but, sometimes, when you don’t get the opportunity to pick players that you want to pick, that can be difficult,” said Derek.

“The players that played today, first half, really worked hard and put in a good performance. We saw that from the crowd at half-time, the backing they gave; on the flop side, you saw what happened at the end. They have decided to turn on us and that’s what they did.

“I don’t think it’s very nice. I think we’re all trying and myself, as a manager, works extremely hard for this football club. I understand that supporters pay their money, but some of the things that they say and do, I don’t really find it necessary, and it doesn’t help us as a football club; it doesn’t help the brand of a football club.

“I understand the frustrations but you have got to be very careful what you do say in and around the stadium. Today, I did feel, at the end of the game, it was a wee bit unnecessary, and during the match.

“They are entitled to give their opinion; they are saying it at this moment in time. All I’m saying is that as manager of the football club, I have given them three years of very good success and I don’t really think I deserved that after the game; I don’t really think the football club deserved it after the game; and that is something that we hopefully don’t see again.

“If it does happen again, I will be disappointed.

“We are not producing results at this moment in time. We understand that. There is a variety of reasons why we are not doing that. I can sit here and give out excuses. I am not going to do that. Doncaster were better than us but I think that, when you are trying your best with a group of players we have got at our disposal at this moment in time, playing out of position, then it is not always easy, as a manager, to deal with it.

“There were some not nice comments made and I don’t think that’s something this football club should be proud of. I think we have gone away from the days of that. I understand the frustrations – I have already said that – but there are ways to behave and ways to uphold your football club as a supporter. Some of them didn’t do themselves any good today.

“I’m disappointed with that. I’ve worked hard here for three years; I’ve helped, with many people, put the football club back up through the leagues. I know that it’s not the majority; I know it’s only some, but to hear some of the wording that was directed to myself after the game...I don’t think that any Plymouth Argyle supporter would like to be associated with that. That’s something that you don’t want to see.

“The way that things were said weren’t appropriate and it was vocal to a lot of people, and even during the game, it was vocal as well.

“I know that I am manager of the football club and that I work hard for the football club and that doesn’t mean one jot to anybody because everybody says ‘That’s your job; that’s what you get paid for’. I get all that, but I think the way that it is happening at times doesn’t sit well with me.”