Stoke City (A) | Dewsnip's Preview

Saturday’s fixture is Stoke City v Plymouth Argyle. To repeat: Stoke City v Plymouth Argyle.  

For Director of Football Neil Dewsnip, it is worth stressing the above, lest people’s minds slip towards a different head-to-head.  

Neil will be in the dugout for Argyle at the bet365 Stadium, and across from him will be a familiar face. Not only is Steven Schumacher a former Plymouth manager, before leaving for the Potters in December, but his association with Dewsnip goes back decades, via Everton and beyond. 

“This is not about Neil Dewsnip and Steven Schumacher,” said Dewsnip. “As far as I'm concerned, it's about Plymouth Argyle, and getting three points if we can, one point if we can't, in the pursuit of safety.   

“On a club level, first of all, I would hope the supporters would recognise that Steven was hugely successful as the manager of Plymouth Argyle. He got us promoted, in two promotions really; one as coach and one as a manager.  

“He's played his part and that part's now over. We're grateful for what he did for the club, but he now represents another football club. 

“On a personal level, it makes me feel very proud, but also very old, the fact that we're going to be coaching against one another on Saturday! His focus will be his team; my focus will be my team. I'm sure we'll have a little glance at one another from time to time.   

“It can be an advantage that he knows the players - a lot of the players, not all of the players. It could also be a disadvantage because he knows some of them are quite good. That could be a slight fear factor perhaps, that he'll definitely plan for. It can work both ways. 

“I don't think we're going to get too caught up on the fact that it's Steven at Stoke, with [assistant manager] Mark [Hughes] and one or two other people that we know very well as well. We're just planning to do the best we can do, put together the best game plan we can do, and get the points that Plymouth Argyle need.” 

There is a potential situation, should several scenarios play out in the Pilgrims’ favour, that could see the club confirm its Sky Bet Championship status for next season, this weekend. Plenty needs to fall into place for this to occur, not least Argyle winning at Stoke while Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town slip up.  

The Greens leveraged a stronger position for themselves with a 1-0 win at home to Leicester City last Friday night, with Dewsnip saying that the win has enhanced belief, although zero is being taken for granted. 

“It's made us feel incredibly happy, but we understand the reality that we're not safe yet,” he said.  

“The group are incredibly motivated, and it's increased the motivation, it's increased the belief; it's made an already really good environment even better. It's helped us no end really. If we can beat Leicester, I guess logically you think, okay, we've got a chance of doing well in our last three games.  

“Our mindset - staff and players - is very much that we're prepared to fight and scrap all the way through to the end against Hull City to get what we need, if we need to go that far.” 

Argyle will be supported by a sold-out, 2,600-strong Green Army in the away end at Stoke, and Dewsnip thanked fans for their loyal backing.  

“I'm not surprised that we've sold out our tickets,” he said. “Once again, the Green Army supports the team in its numbers. We're really lucky, we're very grateful, and we'll be doing our best for them.”