Share the Burden

ARGYLE manager Derek Adams has called upon less regular goal-scorers to chip in as the Pilgrims face their final three Sky Bet League One games.

Top scorer Freddie Ladapo netted his 18th goal of a career-best campaign in the first-half of Argyle’s 3-1 defeat at Gillingham on Friday, but the gaffer wants to see other players sharing the burden of goalscoring responsibility in the run in.

“Freddie Ladapo has come in this season and done exceptionally well,” said Derek. “Carey hasn’t scored enough goals this season, [Antoni] Sarcevic hasn’t scored enough, [Jamie] Ness hasn’t scored enough. They’ve got to take the weight on their shoulders and score the goals.”

The Pilgrims spurned a couple of notable chances in Kent on Good Friday, both at crucial times in the match. While Argyle led 1-0, Ryan Edwards drove over from eight yards, having done the hard work in turning his marker inside the box. On 75 minutes, midfielder Sarcevic cushioned a glorious opportunity wide from the penalty spot, having been picked out by Ruben Lameiras’ pinpoint pass.

“I think that when you look at it, you’ve got to be more clinical in that 18-yard-box,” said Derek. “We haven’t been [at Gillingham], that’s been the problem for a number of weeks now. That said, we haven’t been able to defend a crossed ball, and we haven’t been able to defend a corner kick.

“We had an opportunity to make it 2-0 with Ryan Edwards, an opportunity to make it level with Sarcevic, and we’ve been unable to score in the 18-yard-box again.”

One tactical change Derek has all-but ruled out in the search for goals, though, is partnering Ryan Taylor and Ladapo together, citing their incompatibility in previous attempts this season.

“You’ve seen it, we’ve tried it so many times and it hasn’t worked for us,” said Derek. “They play as individuals, they don’t play as a two. When you have a two up front, you have to have a chemistry, and those two don’t have a chemistry to play together.”

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