Argyle Under-18s’ busy run of games comes to an end on Saturday afternoon, with a home clash against Cheltenham Town being the last of a run of four games in a week-and-a-half.
A return to Millennium Fields, on a three-game unbeaten run, will put Argyle in a positive mindset ahead of kick-off against the Gloucestershire side, despite Cheltenham picking up three points in the reverse fixture in January.
On Tuesday afternoon, at Home Park, Jamie Lowry’s side came back after going behind on two occasions to pick up a point against Portsmouth, in a performance which the Head Coach viewed as ‘unlike Argyle.’
“It was a disappointing first half from us,” Lowry told Argyle TV. “I thought we lacked intensity and quality on the ball, didn't compete or run around enough, and that has been the case too often this season. In any game of football, at any level, if you don't want to work hard, run around and compete, it's very difficult to win matches.
“On top of that, you have to perform with good quality, so that was frustrating, but what was also disappointing for me was that it was an opportunity, in front of the first-team staff and players, and family and friends, who came to watch at Home Park, to give a good account of themselves, and they lacked that.
“The second half had a little bit more intensity to it, after we had a few words at the break, about how it wasn't at the levels we expect of the squad. On that front, I was pleased with the improvement in the second half. We played with more intensity, competed better, won more duels, and passed the ball a little better, and it was a pleasing response.
“I thought it was a really good team move before we were awarded the penalty for the first goal, and in the end, to come away with a draw rather than a defeat was also pleasing.”
Oxford United have claimed the top spot in the south-western section of the EFL Youth Alliance League but, for Argyle, holding second is still a want and a need with three games left in this campaign.
Cheltenham, the Greens’ opponents this weekend, are a side that Lowry knows well through battles across the years, with a competitive and intense affair on the cards for all involved.
Lowry said: “We know how they play, in a 3-5-2, with the two up front being strong and always a handful, so it's important that we can defend against that. For me, it's about how we respond from Tuesday's game and ensure we have the right intensity, which we have had in previous games against Bristol Rovers and Exeter as well.
“We had that little bit of an edge to us, and some of the dark arts, which is the minimum and foundation for performances - I'm looking for those bits again on Saturday.
“We’ve spoken to and emphasised the need to recover to the lads. After the game on Tuesday, it was important that they recovered through sleep, ice baths, their own individual recovery plans, to let their bodies and minds rest. Today, we've kept them off their feet as well, so they're going to be coming in for analysis and some bits and bobs in the afternoon, ahead of matchday minus-one preparation on Friday.
“The last two years have hopefully been really enjoyable for them and allowed them to create some great experiences which they’ll hopefully hold for the rest of their lives and career. We want them to continue that this weekend, however, and to the end of the season, but Tuesday was potentially one final hurrah [on Home Park] for some of the lads, and we hope they enjoyed it.”
