This is a nice sentence to be able to say: if Argyle win on Saturday, they go top of Sky Bet League One.
The Greens are third in the table at the moment, but with Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City not playing this weekend, because of international call-ups, should Argyle beat Burton Albion, they’ll leap above the two Yorkshire outfits.
That task, however, will not be straightforward. Burton Albion were 17th last season, and lost, among others, leading players like Jake Beesley, Tyrese Shade and Alex Hartridge. Despite this, Gary Bowyer’s side have started this season creditably, winning two, drawing three and losing two.
Argyle Head Coach Tom Cleverley discussed Saturday’s opponents, and the possibility of rising to the summit of the division.
“We want to play,” he told Argyle TV. “We're desperate to play. We're in good rhythm, we're in good confidence. We don't want a break. That's the mentality amongst the staff and players. We're pleased to be playing. We have to do the business from a performance level perspective. Otherwise, we're playing two really competitive teams that will punish us.
“For me, it's always points on the board. The more of those you can accumulate when teams are having small breaks because of the internationals, then I'm really pleased that our games are on. We've got most of our players available for selection from a fitness and health perspective. We've not been affected by any international call-ups. I'm pleased and I'm excited for the two games coming up.
“It's going to be a tough game. They're very competitive. They've only lost two of the first seven games when, yet again, they've lost their best players but managed to be shrewd in the market and develop what was in the building to be a competitive team.
“They've been really good in transition. They're playing a slightly different way. They've had to adapt to losing [Jake] Beesley and [Tyrese] Shade. But they've done that really well.
“If you put everyone's goals reels together, I think Burton would have the best combination and passing moves that have led to goals. They'll be a threat. And most of all, what Gary will be proud of, is they look like a team that's competing in every duel, in every run.
“We know the challenge ahead of us is going to be a tough one but, on the flip side, we're in good form, we're in good confidence. We've been consistent for a long time now and we hope to finish a strong month in the best way possible - and that'll be at the top of the league.”
Argyle will be without four players for the game, but the general trend of injuries is a positive one, and Cleverley declared himself pleased with the output of the squad.
“Owen [Oseni] had a scan; it's not the worst news,” said the Head Coach. “We were pleased with that because it's an ankle that he injured last year. We will send him for further tests before I can be too sure about a timescale. I'll report on that more next week.
“In general, I've been really pleased with the consistency of the line-up. It means that you're not getting injuries, especially to your core of 15-16 players. They're keeping very fit and healthy.
“The four lads on the treatment table now, three of them are contact injuries. It’s difficult to prevent when you're in the heat of the battle, contact injuries: a guy falls on Owen's leg, Malachi [Boateng] was a block tackle, and Alex Hartridge sprains his ankle. Michael [Baidoo] is the one that's muscular and they're the ones that we really review.
“As far as muscle injuries go, touch wood, that has been really positive. You see that in the consistency of performance and selections.”
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You can watch Tom Cleverley's Burton Albion preview on Argyle TV, in full, here.
