Busy, Crazy Period

STEVEN Schumacher, Argyle’s assistant boss, has revealed his thoughts on the upcoming busy Christmas period and how they look forward to seizing on a great ‘opportunity to pick up points’.

“We’re looking forward to the Christmas period. It’s a great opportunity to pick up some points and really gather some momentum,” said Schumacher.

“As everyone has seen, the league is really tight. A couple of wins on the bounce puts you right in the play-off picture and vice versa – a couple of defeats allows those chasing you to capitalise. We’ve got some great fixtures, games we really feel like we can do well in.”

The philosophy of a busy Christmas has to be taking each challenge as it comes, starting with tomorrow’s game at Macclesfield in Sky Bet League Two.

“We take it one game at a time,” said Schuey. “We know what the Christmas period is all about.”

“With regards to planning, training and preparations, that’s all done months in advance. Things are subject to change, of course, with weather conditions and games being called off. I’m used to that from up north, everything was always frozen.

“The players won’t train Christmas Day, we’ll meet at the hotel in Cheltenham on Christmas evening and we’ll be ready and prepared for the Cheltenham game on Boxing Day.

“After that, we’re in every day because the games will start coming thick and fast through January. A busy, crazy period.

“It’s hard as a coach to plan and prepare, analyse and review and do the same thing over and over again – but as a group of players, they know and understand the demands of this period. We all know it’s tough but we enjoy it and we know the fans enjoy it as well. A few nice results will make it sweeter.”

Please note the game going ahead at Macclesfield Town is still subject to confirmation from the EFL, due to safety concerns at the Moss Rose Stadium.