Joy For Joel
ARGYLE manager Ryan Lowe was delighted to get back to winning ways following the 2-0 victory over Carlisle United at Home Park on Saturday.
Joel Grant notched his third goal in as many games, and Antoni Sarcevic sealed matters in second-half stoppage-time. While Ryan was happy that our unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two was extended to five games, he still wants perfection from his Pilgrims.
He said: “I will always say to Joel, even when we’ve won, there are always nitty gritty bits I’ll pick out, it’s little small details that they [the players] take on board brilliantly, and that’s how you get better. Joel is on a good run of form and 16 [goals] away from what I want.”
The manager admitted that he is in the process of adapting Joel’s position in his team and while he masters the trade of becoming an ‘out-and-out striker’, Ryan has been delighted with his application.
“Joel has played lots of different positions,” he said after the win. “He has played wide left, out wide on the right; as a number 10 in behind the striker, so he is learning this role if you like. If I am being a little bit picky with him, I do want him to shoot more. He has been fantastic for me, though.”
Argyle saw the game out well, despite the fact our Cumbrian visitors ramped up their search for a second-half leveller. Carlisle defender Byron Webster came closest, as he watched his header crash off the upright. More than anything, the Gaffer was pleased with our composure during moments of opposing pressure.
“It’s always hard work when you want to get three points,” said Ryan. “They threw caution to the wind a little bit to tried and ruffle our feathers, but teams will do that. We withstood that today and we were terrific.
“When you’re winning 1-0 going into the second half, it’s not always going to be easy. [It is difficult when] they suddenly throw six or seven players into the box, you think ‘what’s going on here?’ I thought we managed the game well today, a lot better than we have done in previous games.”
The Green Army understandably felt nervy heading into the final knockings but had their worries washed away with a swing of Sarce’s boot, netting his third of the campaign in added time. Then, and only then, could the manager, and the rest of us, relax in the knowledge that the points were safe.
Ryan said: “It’s great when he [Sarce] seals it because there isn’t long to go and you are cautious, most teams who come here are not just going to lie down. It’s never going to be easy, so to get the win was brilliant.”