REACTION: Back to Basics

Argyle manager Ryan Lowe has called on his team to get back to basics following the Greens’ Sky Bet League One defeat to Bristol Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

The Pilgrims fell behind after seven minutes when Alfie Kilgour headed home a corner, with Chelsea loanee Luke McCormick doubling the Gas’ lead midway through the opening period.

Lowe said: “The first seven minutes weren’t good enough. Set play, corner, lose our man, and then, as always, you’re fighting a losing battle. Unfortunately, at the moment, it’s both boxes where we’re getting let down.”

Argyle generated 24 shots at goal during a frustrating 90 minutes at the Memorial Ground, creating plenty of goalscoring opportunities, but they remained unable to find a way past Jordi van Stappershoef in the Rovers goal, before Zain Westbrooke sealed the tie in its closing stages.

Lowe said: “The 25 shots is irrelevant because it hasn’t gone in the back of the net. [We lacked] that ruthless edge in both boxes.

“I haven’t spoken to the lads yet, I’ll let the other staff members do it. We work ever so hard, but at this moment in time it’s just not going for us.”

Argyle return to action on Tuesday night with a trip to Crewe, with the Pilgrims’ manager is clear that he wants to see a reaction from his side against the Alex.

He said: “I’ll get my thoughts together tomorrow, we’ll have a debrief on Monday, and we have obviously got to try and put it right, very quickly. The games are coming thick and fast, and we have got to make sure that we roll our sleeves up and get back to basics very quickly.

“I’ll do that, I’ll make sure I look at it, and I’ll get the lads who I feel can get back to basics. The flair football might have to stop for a little bit, because it’s important that we pick up points, and that’s what’s needed.

“The possession, shots, attempts, penalty box entries, they’ll probably always be there, but what’s the point if it’s not going in the net? It’s tough at the moment, we know that, but we’ve got to roll our sleeves up. We’re in a battle, so let’s go.”