THE DAILY DIARY

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Also included on the three most recent days, facts from Argyle's history.

Monday 30th April 2018

Argyle have announced the appointment of Mark Lovell as the club's Interim Chief Executive. Lovell, the Head of the Argyle Community Trust, will take up the position when outgoing Chief Executive Martyn Starnes leaves the club on May 31. The Board is actively seeking a permanent Chief Executive to succeed Starnes. The recruitment process is expected to close for applications in mid-May. Until an appointment is made, Lovell will fulfil the role.

Argyle have offered professional contracts four of this season's apprentices and two development squad players. Harry Hodges, Luke Jephcott, Ryan Law and Cameron Sangster – part of this season's successful Under-18 Academy squad – have been offered a one-year deal, as have development squad players Alex Battle and Dan Rooney. Four Under-18s who are coming to the end of their apprenticeships are being released – Billy Craske, Elliot Crawford, Harry Downing and Matt Ward – as is development squad player Aaron Taylor.

Derek Adams confirmed that Jamie Ness will miss the trip to former club Scunthorpe with an injury sustained in the game against Rotherham but was nonetheless confident in his prospects for the game, saying: "Ness will be out. We have got 13 players in the squad that have made eight or more league starts this season, so that tells you where we are. Ness has got a hamstring injury and it looks like he will be out for the rest of the season. It's really disappointing for him and the squad as well because he has been a big part in how well we have done. When you have got a hamstring injury, it's impossible. We have coped and we will continue to do that. It gives an opportunity for somebody else to come into the squad and take that place. That's what we are always looking to do and that's always what has happened. Everybody has always played on the negative, from the point of view 'we will miss him, we will miss him and we will miss him'. It has happened all over the season and we have had to prove people wrong. The players have done that really well."

Goalkeeper Luke McCormick has known for a 'number of months' he would not be offered a new contract to stay at Plymouth Argyle beyond the end of this season. Adams explained the decision to release McCormick, saying: "Luke has known for a number of months now that he wouldn't get offered a contract and it has allowed him to speak to other clubs. He has done very well for this football club. He has made 300 and odd appearances and he goes with our best wishes. Luke has been at the football club for a good number of years and we will look to take in a new goalkeeper. This football club has been very good to Luke McCormick and he has got a lot to thank them for. I think the chairman James Brent has been very good for him also. His agent is speaking to clubs at this moment in time."

Adams finally said that he is relishing tomorrow's game against Scunthorpe on the basis that the pressure is off for Argyle: "They have been up there the last two seasons being in the play offs. They are a team that want to get out of this division from the financial aspect they throw a lot of money at it to get themselves into the Championship. We have gone toe to toe with a lot of teams in this division who have done exactly the same and we have finished above them. We are looking forward to it, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain. We are in seventh position, Scunthorpe and Charlton are above us and they have been there the majority of the season. We are the ones that have been chasing. No pressure, not now. At this stage of the season we have done all our good work. We have put ourselves in a very good position and whatever happens now is an added bonus. They are not nervous. They are in a good place and they have shown that in recent weeks that they have been able to perform, when so called pressure is on them."

"We are obviously delighted to finish the season no lower than seventh position. At the start of the season we looked to try and stay in the division: we have done that. Then we looked to get to mid-table: we've done that. Then we changed again to look to finish above Portsmouth, Doncaster and Blackpool, the three teams that came up with us. Now we have got to try and get in the play-off position. So, throughout the season our aspirations have changed.

"I would say we need to win. Because we are two point behind at this moment in time, with goal difference and Charlton as well I think a win would be needed."

Graham Carey said that the end reward of a League One play-off place is what is giving the walking wounded in Argyle's ranks the motivation to battle through their injuries. The talismanic midfielder said: "I think from where we have been this season to where we are now to have it in our hands with two games left knowing we win those two games we are in the play-offs. It is going to be a big game, so it is up to us to recover as we have a big journey ahead. We just need to recover and make sure we are right for Tuesday. I think to be fair that is what is getting us through games at the minute. Even with the boys that are fit we are not really 100%. But, we have come this far that with two games left we can get in the play offs. So, I think If we were 10th or 11th we probably wouldn't be able to field a team! But, because of where we are the boys are battling hard which shows the character of the boys and their will to win. For us to go and win like today it was massive. If we get injured now there's not much time to recover. So, it's just about sucking it up and getting through it. We know we have the fight in the team to do that. It's been crazy. Now we have got three fit keepers available, but now our outfield players are taking knocks.

29th

Argyle have confirmed their annual player of the season awards, with Graham Carey taking the main prize and Zak Vyner winning the young player of the season award.

Derek Adams is confident of his side securing a spot in the League One play-offs after the hard-fought win over Rotherham. He said: "You've got to be confident because of the form we're in. Scunthorpe are a team that have been up that top end of the table all season and they've got strong characters in their dressing room as well. I think having that situation is brilliant for us. For where we've been this season, coming into League One and being able to fight our way into seventh position is brilliant. I think it's only between three teams to get into the play offs now. We've got tremendous character throughout the side. We've had a lot of setbacks throughout the season that we've had to deal with but these players deal with it all the time. Today is a prime example, we had to win the game and we get the three points. We take it to the two last games of the season.

"Rotherham are a very good side, they're in the play offs. They've come down from the Championship last year and performed well this season. They've got good players all over the pitch. You look at their bench, the ones that come off there, they've got a lot of good changes so rightly so they're in the position they are in, in the league. They're a very good outfit. I thought we started the game very well on the front foot and kept a lot of good possession. We were probably unfortunate not to have gone ahead in the game earlier. We make a mistake with Zak Vyner, he was obviously too casual on the ball and it allows them to get in, get ahead in the game. Towell took the goal very well and give them a foothold in the game. We knew that at half-time that if we kept on probing we would get chances in the game and that's what happened. We kept on plugging at them and eventually we scored a very good goal, a flick on from Graham and a great finish from Joel Grant. In the end we get the penalty kick and Graham puts it in the top corner. Big pressure but he dealt with it well but he's a big game player with a lot of responsibility on him. He's been outstanding this season. He's scored goals and made assists. Zak Vyner, young player of the year, has come in and done well so thoroughly deserved their reward."

Graham Carey revealed that he did not feel pressure as he stepped up to take Argyle's last minute penalty in spite of the magnitude of the occasion. The player of the season said: "He was a bit unlucky. He kind of slipped a little bit, but he did catch me then get the ball. Fair play to the ref in that situation to give a penalty. I think it was a penalty; it may have been a bit harsh on their player but at the end of the day it was a penalty. I Just tried to keep a clear head. Before I got the ball I knew where I was going to put it. I had a clear mind and focused on the penalty. I am getting used to taking them now, but today I didn't feel any pressure compared to the last one, having missed the one before that. Today for some reason I didn't feel any pressure and it was a good pen.You just stay focused on scoring the penalty and when it goes in then you can celebrate. So, it was just about keeping a clear head and that is what I've done today. To score a goal to win any game is brilliant. It is a feeling you will never get used to, especially with the importance of it. It was good, but today we showed a lot of character and we were good in the first half. We got punished by making one mistake and they were clinical. They are a good team and they will obviously be in play-offs, so it is up to us now."

"The way we approach games is not to panic as we have enough quality in the team. We have enough players with determination and great heart to get back into any game. We said at half-time if we score one, we win the game. We knew we weren't going to concede another. Remi was top class again today with a couple of crucial saves which his has done this week. As long as we kept them out we knew we if we scored one we would score two. I think to be fair that confidence is what is getting us through games at the minute. Even with the boys that are fit we are not really 100%. But, we have come this far that with two games left we can get in the play offs. If we were 10th or 11th we probably wouldn't be able to field a team! But, because of where we are the boys are battling hard which shows the character of the boys and their will to win. For us to go and win like today it was massive."

28th

Argyle have boosted their chances of making the League One play-offs with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Rotherham. The away side took the lead in the first half but a cool one vs one finish and a superbly struck penalty by Graham Carey ensured Argyle turned things around in the second half. Argyle need a win in the all important game against Scunthorpe on Tuesday night to ensure the play-offs remain in our own hands. Argyle: Matthews, Threlkeld, Vyner, Bradley, Sawyer, Fox, Sarcevic(Ainsworth), Ness(Songo'o), Carey, Lameiras(Taylor-Sinclair), Grant. Subs: Letheren, Miller, Rooney, Fletcher.

27th

Goalkeeper Luke McCormick is leaving Argyle after making 347 appearances for the club. He announced in an instagram post to fans: "It has been one of the best chapters of my life and a true pleasure and honour to play for and captain Plymouth Argyle. I'm sad that I will never pull on an Argyle shirt again but extremely proud of the success we have achieved over the 15 years I have been at the club. The support I have received from day one has been far beyond anything I could have imagined and for that I will always be grateful. I look forward to coming back one day with my son as a supporter but for now I have to write the next part of my journey. Thanks for the memories @Only1Argyle. You have been incredible."

Gary Sawyer admitted that he has never been in a season quite like this one as Argyle prepare for their final home game of the season against Rotherham: "With the start we had, sitting there in December looking up at everyone, to give ourselves a chance of getting in the play-offs is massive. Not only for us, but the club, the fans and everyone involved in this. It is something we know and we are focused on doing, so we will give ourselves every chance to do it. It's a fantastic position we have put ourselves in. There are three massive games to go next and everyone is ready to go for them. We need to recover from the one we have just played and kick on for Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday. I don't think I have played in a season like this. If you take the injuries, sendings off and the start we had into account. Now the finish we are having I don't think I have ever been involved in a season like this."

"We have got a great group of lads: great boys and great professionals first and foremost. You get that down here; you get the mind-set of players that come down and are quite tunnel-visioned with where they want to go. With the travelling and living this far down the country you need a certain breed of player that comes down. We have got a great group in there, and to give ourselves a chance with a week left is amazing. Northampton was a bit of disappointment from us. We were fuming as it wasn't good enough, and we wanted to put that right at Rochdale. I think we did do that, although we didn't get the win we were after, it was a good performance from the boys. We worked hard and that is what it is going to take over the next three games. It's a massive game; they all are now. It doesn't matter who we are playing it's about us now. If we are on our day we can beat anyone in the league. It's going to be about us, but they will have one eye on the play offs and we need both of ours on it. It's amazing to fill this stadium. It's such a great stadium as well, the fans really do help us when they come out in force like they have done this year, it's been amazing."

His manager Derek Adams shared similar sentiments, elucidating on the current state of injuries at Home Park: "I've never had it before," said Derek. "It's not just that it's things that happen on a daily basis that I can't talk about that you have to deal with. It has been amazing we have done so well; it's a testament to the players as they haven't let their disappointment affect them for too long. That is important as a person and a football player to forget about the last game and move forward. You can only move on to the next game and enhance your reputation. We had an issue on Monday before we left with one of the players as well. There was an injury there, we have to deal with so much and we are just trying to have the strongest team possible till the end of the season. We have had a difficult season that way. The mentality in the squad is very good and we keep pushing them each day to do better. Paul Paton has ankle ligament damage. It was badly swollen so he is going to have a scan on his ankle. Lionel has a hamstring injury and is not training, so I would rate him as highly unlikely for Saturday. You can only have a big a squad as you can. We have had competition all over the pitch, we tried to take in players in January and for one reason or another it didn't happen. But, it's not to say we have had Taylor and Church out injured, we should have had enough there to see us out over the last 16 games. We have had two players injured and we would have had to take another one in and he would have sat on the bench or in the stands. It's all well and good saying that's the way to do it, but some players aren't happy to do that. Nathan Blissett and Jake Jervis both wanted to leave the football club because they weren't playing here. So we had to make it the best possibility of moving forward. If a player doesn't want to stay we need to move them on."

26th

Derek Adams emphasised the importance of Argyle's game against Rotherham on Saturday, by saying that it could be preparation for the two teams to meet in the League One play-offs after the end of the regular season. Adams: "It might relax them a bit that their place is already secure. It gives them the opportunity to get themselves ready for the play-offs. It's not to say that the two of us might find ourselves playing against each other in the play-offs. It will be an interesting match for both teams. To be in this position is fabulous. We have had a very good season and we want to continue that. We are going to have a near capacity crowd to enjoy the last home game before the play-offs."

25th

Derek Adams was pleased with the point but even more so with the performance as Argyle drew 1-1 with Rochdale at Spotland. He said: We played on the front foot. We got up against Rochdale and we stopped them playing because that's what they try to do. We were unfortunate not to have gone ahead earlier in the game.Graham Carey hits the post and Antoni Sarcevic has a couple of chances in and around the penalty area with runs forward. We had a couple of penalty claims as well and we did dominate the first half. They started to push forward and they do that here all the time. They have only lost five games at home this season. They push men forward and take huge risks all over the park. That's maybe one of the reasons why they are in situation they are in, but they take those risks and do get goals as well. We deflated them after getting that goal and then, all of a sudden, we concede a corner kick and they score. We could have done a lot better at it and not allowed them back in the game. We put a lot of effort into the game, as both sides did. The pitch was heavy because there has been torrential rain over a period of time. From our point of view it's a good point. We are in a better position than we were before the game. We are delighted to be in the position we are in. With three games to go in the campaign we are for pushing for the play-offs. We keep on trying to push forward. There are a lot of teams in this league who would like to be in the situation we are in."

Joel Grant emphasised the importance of the big reaction that Argyle gave in recovering to get a draw at Rochdale, even though they did not pick up all three points in the game. Grant said: "You could always do with two extra – you could always do with three points. It remains to be seen. We'll have to look and see how the last three fixtures go – it could be a massive point. Hopefully it is. We were out of the traps quick and, in hindsight, that's when you feel we maybe should have taken the three points but, like I say, it could be a massive point. Particularly of late – the last two games – I don't think we have been creating as many chances as we have been doing but, tonight, we were definitely at it. As a team, I thought we were on the front foot and caused a lot of problems. We have been doing that a lot this season and that's why were in the place we're in at the moment. It's always nice to get on the scoresheet – tonight was no different – and luckily, I managed to do that. I remember Ruben getting to the ball and just trying to make the box. He's managed to flick it back nicely and it was just about hitting the target. I had to jump early because you've got some big centre-halves in there. I managed to hit the target and it went in. I'm delighted with a goal. We were unlucky with a couple of efforts," said Joel. "Lionel had one which ricocheted and just went wide; I had one that just went wide myself. We were definitely trying to win the game and that's all we can ask for. I thought the boys were outstanding tonight. Rochdale's not an easy place to come to, especially with their position in the league. We have got to take the positives. We're still in the race for promotion. This is what we are in it for. It's exciting times. We have had a roller-coaster season, if you like, but I wouldn't change it for anything."

Grant went on to admit however, that it is a lot harder for the team to adapt without the support of big striker Ryan Taylor. Grant explained: "We have had a formula that has been working and when it's been working so well, it's very difficult to change. That's pretty much what's happened. I've come in and we have got to try to adapt to my game – it's not easy and I don't blame anyone. It make you appreciate so much more what Tayls has done when you're up there. He has done such a fantastic job but one thing I would like to say is that we are different players. Although I've gone in, my role isn't to do what Ryan Taylor does: my role is to try to do what I am capable of. At times, it is tough for the defenders because they need an out-ball and there isn't much on but to kick it up to me – that's when I've got to try and fight and do what Tayls does so well. I like to think there are times where I have shown what I can do when I've got the ball at my feet and when the ball's put into space for me. Like I say, he was instrumental and I am just trying to fit into his shoes and give my best for the team. He's been key, so any way I can help the team is massive, and goals is one part. He links up so well and gives chances to the likes of Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras and, if I can do that and get goals myself, hopefully it will take some pressure off the back line, and we can win games. I thought it was quite clever because Ruben is very good and, in a way, it made the defenders realise that we were going to have to play football, so, at times, I think we took an extra pass. We played some really good stuff in the first half and everyone was enjoying it. We just couldn't get that killer goal which would have really helped us, but onwards and upwards."

Derek Adams said on the progress of Taylor: "Ryan Taylor hasn't started training yet. We will look at him on Thursday and Friday and see what he is like for Saturday. We will give him every opportunity to play. If he's ready to go we will get him playing. We have got players who are playing at 75 per cent because they have got knocks. That's what happens at this time."

Ryan Edwards has said that he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received since his diagnosis with testicular cancer and has urged fans with similar symptoms to go and get themselves checked out. He said: "Don't hesitate if something doesn't seem right or you don't seem right in yourself. Don't hesitate to go and get it checked out because if I had sat and waited for a month or two longer who knows? It could have been a different situation for me. I could still be in hospital now. I could have been fighting for my life. Thankfully I found it and I wasn't afraid to go and get it checked out nice and early. Some people out there are ashamed and embarrassed but don't be. Are people going to laugh at you? No, they are not. Go and get yourself checked out and speak to people. If they need advice, or any help through it, I would love to be there for someone, or more than one person – whoever is going through it. Hopefully, with the success rates they are getting over testicular cancer, it will be less and less people now. "They can just get in touch with myself over social media, or come to the club and I will be there in no time. If they need help, I will certainly be there for them."

24th

Argyle stay in the play-off race by a whisker after a 1-1 draw to Rochdale. Argyle went ahead thanks to a Joel Grant header but the home side equalised just two minutes after. Argyle are winless in four on the road but it remains in their hands. Professional development player Dan Rooney tonight appeared in an Argyle squad for the first time. Argyle: Matthews, Threlkeld, Vyner, Bradley, Sawyer, Fox, Sarcevic(Taylor-Sinclair), Ness, Lameiras(Ainsworth (Fletcher)), Grant. Subs: Letheren, Miller, Songo'o, Rooney.

The game against Scunthorpe on May 1st, potentially all the more important thanks to this result, has been announced by Sky that it will be chosen for television coverage. The game was re-arranged following the downpour on Easter weekend that saw the fixture called off.

23rd

Remi Matthews has spoken about the difficulties of leaving his young daughter behind as he enters the final furlong of Argyle's League One regular season, after complications with his daughter's birth: "It has been a tough few weeks for me and my family but it's one of those ones where you have just got to stay positive. They are both a lot better now. It was a long drive. It was a hard one to leave my family back home. But I'm here to play football and if I was back home I wouldn't be playing football. It was a tough one for me but I will have five or six weeks with the family when I get back home so I look forward to that, but for the time being I'm here to play football. I think there are still two play-off places up for grabs. We have still got two games in hand on one team and one in hand on another and there are only three or four points in it. If I'm honest, I think it's still in our hands. We can only dust ourselves down after Saturday and go again. We know we just can't go into games and expect to win them because that's not how it happens I think that is what happened on Saturday. We went into the game expecting we were going to win and obviously we didn't."

22nd

Derek Adams gave a scathing assessment of Argyle's performance away to Northampton- claiming that the display in the 2-0 loss was simply 'not good enough'. The manager said: "We weren't good enough today. Northampton were far better than us today. They bullied us over the 90 minutes and they won the game, and deservedly so. They had a wee bit of fight about them today. They've got three games left in the season and they're looking to get out of the relegation zone. They looked like a team that wanted to do that. We didn't look like a team that wanted to get into the play-offs today. That's something I can't say about my team before, because we've done ever so well to put ourselves in this position. At this stage in the season, when they're down the bottom they need a lift, and they got the lift. They saw the relief in the players. They saw the relief in the stands as well, and they got tremendous backing from them vocally to keep them going. This game wasn't as open as I thought it was going to be because we didn't open up Northampton too many times. When we did, we didn't pick the right pass to get us in. We had two really good opportunities right at the start of the second half with Ruben. We just didn't pick the right option or get a shot on target at that moment in time. That could've got us back to 1-1 very quickly. We didn't, and they got a bit of confidence from it.

"Northampton today were far better than us, all over the pitch. Remi Matthews has kept us in the game so many times, and we didn't really do well in any areas other than that. The back four got bullied. The midfield lost their battles in there, and up front we weren't a threat. We didn't create enough opportunities. We could've stopped a number of things today, but you've got to give credit to Northampton. They were the better side."

"We're sitting in seventh position we've got four games, and we've still got the opportunity to get into the play-offs. We have to do a lot better than we did today. It was probably as poor a performance as I've seen in a long time. I probably haven't seen a worse one this season that the one we've had today."

Remi Matthews said that his man of the match performance was scant consolation for the inadequacy of the Argyle performance on the day. The keeper, back into the team after the birth of his baby, said: "The main thing for us is to win games. It was nice to make a few saves but it would have been a much, much better feeling if we had won the game so, overall, I'm disappointed. Sometimes you come into a game and have not much to do, which has happened a few times this season. Obviously today, I was called upon more than I would have liked. That was the most disappointing thing for me. When you make a good save, to then get punished ten seconds later. It would have been nice to save that one as well."

"Whoever got the second goal, it would have changed the game. I think, if we'd got the second goal, we could have potentially gone on and won it but they ended up getting the second goal and it sort of killed us off. If I'm honest, as much as I don't want to say it, it looked as though we probably threw the towel in, which we haven't done this season."

It's been a tough few weeks for me and my family, but you have got to stay positive. They are both better now. It was hard to leave my family back home, but I'm here to play football but this is my job so that meant me coming back and finishing it off, and that's what I want to do. I've enjoyed every minute here and we can only keep hoping that we can get in the play-off spot."

"We weren't good enough from the first whistle today. We know we weren't good enough; the lads know we weren't good enough; the manager knows we weren't good enough. Fair play to Northampton. They came out guns blazing and, from the first minute, they were the better team. To see how well they played, to think they are fighting for relegation, is scary. It just shows how good this league is. They had something to play for, but so did we: they wanted to get out of the relegation zone more than we wanted to get into the promotion zone."

"We had a talk after the game and we know where we're at now. It's a kick up the bum for us to sort ourselves out for the next four games. We have been beaten and we know we have got to pull our finger out. We can't come to games and expect to win because that's not how it happens. If I'm honest, I think it's still in our own hands. It's going to be tough, but it has been tough, and we have been excellent, so we can only dust ourselves down and look forward to Tuesday. Tuesday's going to be a similar game. We have got to go into it a lot better than we started today. We have just got to sort ourselves out and go again."

Meanwhile, Derek Adams looked ahead to Tuesday's re-arranged game at Rochdale, giving an injury update on a number of players in the process. he said: "We know what's going to happen at Rochdale. They're going to do the same as Northampton did today. They're going to run forward, they're going to cause us trouble, and we have to do better all over the pitch to deal with that threat At this stage in the season, it doesn't matter where you go to, other than teams around about the middle of the table. Teams in the relegation zone: they don't want to drop down into League Two. You saw that today with Northampton. We have to play a lot better than today. Rochdale are fighting for their lives. I think they drew today, so that means it's going to be another difficult encounter. We have to do 100% better than we did today."

"We've got injuries that are a miss for us. We've got players coming back from injury, and at this stage of the season you'd like to have everyone fit. He hasn't trained for the whole week," the boss said on Taylor. "He thought it was too sore to train yesterday or Thursday, so we'll assess and see where we are.

"Paul Paton will be out for Tuesday now. He damaged his ankle ligaments in a tackle in the first half, so he'll be missing. It wasn't a great tackle. I don't know how it happened, but he's gone in for a tackle and twisted his ankle.

"Moses Makasi has had a cartilage operation, so he's going to be out for three months now. It was the Fleetwood game when he went in for a tackle; he felt it there, and he's been playing with it for a good period of time. He went back to West Ham on the Sunday and checked him over. They thought he should have a scan. He had a scan and he got operated on on the Thursday. It's not a straightforward operation for him, so they decided to operate on him."

"Antoni Sarcevic has been out for seven weeks now and he's still got a bit to do fitness-wise, sharpness-wise. We've got no choice; we need to rush him back quickly into the frame. It has been difficult for us, with the amount of injuries that we've picked up in games. You can't do anything about tackles and people flying in. It's part of football. We're down to the bare bones now, but there are four games left. We look forward to being in a position with four games to go where, if we win them, we're in the play-offs."

21st

Argyle have fell to another defeat on the road, going down 2-0 away to relegation-fighters Northampton Town. A game in which the home side dominated was won for them by a goal each side of the interval, the second being a Sonny Bradley OG. Argyle: Matthews, Threlkeld, Vyner, Bradley, Sawyer, Fox(Ainsworth), Paton(Sarcevic), Ness, Carey, Grant(Fletcher), Lameiras. Subs: Letheren, Miller, Songo'o, Taylor-Sinclair.

19th

Argyle's games against Northampton and Rochdale this week will be beamed back to supporters watching in the Tribute Lounge at Argyle and Derek Adams is pleased with the positive impact this will have on the club, enthusing: "I think the great success we are having on the pitch transforms areas off the pitch as well. "It allows the supporters to come in here to Home Park watch the games, and it generates extra income for the football club, and that's what we are trying to do. We will have a huge following with us to both games, and it's great for the supporters who can't get there that they are able to watch them here. It's a situation where it benefits everybody."

17th

Derek Adams believes his side are in for an open encounter when they travel to Sixfields on Saturday to play relegation-threatened Northampton Town. He said: "The game will probably be open. Northampton will come at us and we have to then try and pick them off; they haven't got a situation where they can try and sit in and go for a point, they have got to go for the win. We are likewise; we would like to win the game as well so I can see it being an open encounter. It's two difficult matches that we go into as Northampton and Rochdale are looking to stay in the league. They are going to come at us, that could work for us as they are going to leave space. In previous games against Peterborough and Portsmouth there hasn't been a lot of space, so that might work in our favour. Two teams that can't afford to draw the game and we will try to pick them off."

"I watched the scores coming in on Tuesday night.Obviously, Portsmouth losing helped us. Shrewsbury against Charlton: Charlton were winning 1-0 and the TV cut to say there was a goal at Shrewsbury and I thought it was going to be a goal for Shrewsbury but in the end it was a goal for Charlton. A very good victory for them which has enabled them to get into the top six. I think we are in good position with five games to go. We have got two games in hand, at the start of the season would we have liked to have been in this situation? We would have. You can see the following we are taking to Northampton and Rochdale, as well as the games getting beamed back to Home Park. That shows you the level of support we are getting. We have got games in in hand at this moment in time, but we have got to now try and pick up the points from those games to enable us to finish in the top six."

Meanwhile, Adams confirmed the continued absence of Ryan Taylor from the squad with an ankle injury and confirmed Joel Grant would continue to lead the line for the timebeing: "He's out for Saturday. He has got an ankle injury and he's still feeling sore. We are hopeful it's not long. It just depends on how quickly it settles down. I couldn't tell you. It's really in Ryan's hands at this moment in time. The ankle has got to settle down and he has got to feel comfortable to play. That's the way it is. It's not a serious injury but it's just something that is keeping him out at this moment in time."

Grant himself said of his performance against Portsmouth: "That might mean stretching teams a bit more and making them drop off so that we can get the ball into the two number 10s, Graham and Ruben, who can do their damage closer to the goal. Particularly in the Portsmouth game, I felt at times we didn't get close enough to the opponents' goal for those two to work their magic. When those two are on the ball, I know if I can time my runs right they will find me."

"It's always frustrating when you are not playing but, for me personally, my goal when coming to the club was to get as many games as possible. I had a good pre-season and got in at the beginning. In the last few months I have been on the bench You have just got to do your best when you get your chance and try to push the ones in the starting places. I have certainly been trying to do that in training, and it's better to be in a team that is doing well than in a team that is not doing well."

Adams admitted he is facing a difficult goalkeeping decision at Northampton now that Remi Matthews has returned from an extended paternity leave, saying: "Him and Kyle are training away so there is a situation where I have got to make a decision on who will be in goals on Saturday. They are always difficult decisions to make because we have got good goalkeepers at the football club. When that happens it's a good situation to be in. His daughter is home now and still being monitored but the situation is a lot better than it was."

16th

Zak Vyner has said that playing against forwards such as Pompey's Brett Pitman are a pivotal part of the learning experience as he develops as a player on loan at Argyle. He said: "I feel like he's a similar striker to Danny Graham when we played Blackburn. His movements good, he's sharp in the box. He's a bit rough and tough; a bit ready; he's that type of striker and he tries to get in your head off the ball. He's a good player; I've come to play against players like that. I need to learn, as people call it, the 'dark arts' of the game. I feel like today I've dealt with him, Sonny's dealt with him, the whole back four's dealt with him cause he pulled off onto everybody today. I think he tried to work his magic on everyone today and we've stood up against it which was good. A few times just before the keepers kicked it up to us he'll back into you just before you're about to jump and it's just those little things that you're not ready for cause you're just sort of looking at the ball thinking I've got to head this ball and then he bounces you. It's good to play against a whole lot of different strikers; he's not a big lump but I've played against big lumps already and I've got to adapt to it. It's good to play against as many different strikers as I can."

15th

Derek Adams was more than happy with the point and the performance in Argyle's 0-0 draw against Portsmouth, claiming that the greens had the better of the majority of the game. He said: "I'm delighted with the performance today," said Adams. "For large spells of the game we dominated possession and passed the ball very well, so we are disappointed not to have won it. They sat in and came for a point, so they got what they wanted today. That is disappointing for us, as they didn't really create very much during the game. They hit the bar with our own player on our own goal, other than that nothing really. It was our fault; I didn't really see Portsmouth doing anything today. I thought they looked a bit leggy, in the middle of the park we passed around them a good number of times. We were unfortunate, especially in the second half not to have gone ahead in the game. We were just a pass away from getting in. That was our problem today; we had to just complete one more pass and we would have won the game and it would have been nothing more than we deserved."

"I thought Joel Grant was terrific today. He leads the line really well and he was probably our top performer today, passing the ball, taking it in and his movement. He filled the gap perfectly well today. We had too many high balls into him today which made it easy for their two. Anything into his feet he was causing them problems. You could see with the movement at times, especially in the second half when we played some intricate passing they couldn't deal with us. We just chose the wrong option at times but second half we were much better from that point of view. We always have somebody else to replace everybody. Nobody is irreplaceable at this football club; I keep on saying that. We have players who come in and do a good job, we have had Sarcevic, Matthews, Ness, Vyner, Bradley, Threlkeld all out injured and everybody comes in and does a job. It is about the team and no one is irreplaceable at this football club, there is always somebody that can come in and take your place. We have got a lot of talented players in the squad. You look at Jake Jervis in January; he went away to Luton and doesn't get a game, leaving us with £150,000 in the bank and wages off the bill. It just shows nobody is irreplaceable and that's the beauty of this football club. We have a good group of players that can do well."

Meanwhile, Adams praised his club owner and chairman James Brent for his approach of stability in an otherwise erratic modern day game. He argued: "He's a good chairman because he knows what he wants to do. From my point of view it is good to have stability and he has got the stability of this football club and doesn't want to spend anymore money than he can spend. That is the reason we have a sound financial footing, it will only take us so far, he knows that, we know that and we keep on moving on. It is the nature of football, everybody has got a buzzword; they change manager and they get a couple of results then think they are the best thing since sliced bread. That is the world of social media, it is a strange world that we are living in.

"You look at the movement in the Championship, there's a guy like Kenny Jackett who has managed so many games and the managers that are out there. Then somebody who is just out of footballing strip, a tracksuit or a youth team gets a job. How's that right? It's not right, some chairmen have got to have a good look at themselves at times. It is going to be very busy over the next period," said Derek. "We go to Northampton, then we are away from home with a couple of midweeks. So, it is nice to be here and with Rotherham our last home game here."

Zak Vyner echoed Adams' words, saying that the draw leaves Argyle in a good place to progress: "It is a good point in hindsight. Before the game we would have wanted the win obviously. It's not like we've dropped out of the play-offs. After the first half we came in and said we've got three or four more gears we can go into. We showed that in the second half and credit to them, I suppose it didn't pay off. That was a tough game. They're a good team. They executed their game plan and I thought we did as well. Everyone, not just the back four and the keeper, dug deep today; deservedly a clean sheet probably from both teams. We go to Northampton, who will be a tough game, but we've got to go there and just do what we've been doing the whole season. We've just got to keep going. It's still in our hands."

14th

Argyle have dropped to 6th in League One following their first goalless draw of the season, at home to Portsmouth. A cagey yet even game saw neither side break the deadlock. Argyle: Letheren, Threlkeld, Vyner, Bradley, Sawyer(Taylor-Sinclair), Fox, Makasi, Ness, Carey, Grant, Lameiras(Fletcher). Subs: Cooper, Miller, Songo'o, Sangster, Paton.

13th

Derek Adams was delighted to welcome Ryan Edwards back into training, after the latter resumed his Argyle duties following his battle with testicular cancer. Adams said of his defender: "It's nice to see him back. He will come in and try and do as much as he can do. He has been through a difficult few months and he has come to the end of it. Now it is just about getting back to full fitness. It has been a difficult period for him. He has had chemotherapy and the operation. He is now trying to get his strength back to get back to full fitness. He will be working in the gym at this moment in time. He will do that until he is capable and has the strength to go further. Only he will be able to tell everybody else how long that is going to take. I think he will always have that as a goal and you always need to have a goal. If it is a goal that is possible, then he will try and get back before the end of the season. We have got either six weeks or two months between now and the end of the season. So, he still has a lot of time. He has come back in and the players have seen him this morning and he will be part of the squad again."

Adams also admitted his anticipation for the upcoming game against Portsmouth, saying that they are more special than ordinary games: "They are fantastic games. I've been here just over two and a half years and I've really enjoyed the games against Portsmouth. They are terrific atmospheres, home and away, and we have had a lot of good football matches. There's two very good teams who both finished on the same points last year and got promoted into this league and have been very competitive by pushing for a play off position. If you look at it in different ways: we have done really well competing with a Portsmouth team that do what they do."

"They are wee bit different. Their full-backs don't go as high and wide as they do under Paul Cook. One of them stays back one of them goes high up the pitch. They have a threat in Pitman who has done really well this season scoring goals. But, they have got a similar style of play that they have had over a number of years. He has scored a lot of goals this year. He is one that we will have to watch again this week. We looked at the stats after Saturdays game. We passed the ball and kept possession well; we are playing in really good areas at this moment in time. We will have to do that on Saturday against Portsmouth and take care of the threat that they are going to cause. We have to take the chances we create."

"We will have the biggest crowd of the season here on Saturday," said Adams."The crowd will generate the atmosphere, there is not much motivation that needs to be done. When you step over that line the supporters will be very excited and noisy so we know what it's like on the pitch. I think that we look at it after the results the other night, there are six teams going for three positions. We have a game in hand in the last week of the season and we want to keep picking up points between now and then. There is going to be a lot of teams cutting each other up as everyone is playing each other in that period."

12th

Ryan Taylor admitted there is an "extra spice" to Saturday's crunch match against his former Portsmouth at Home Park, with both clubs going for a play-off place. He said: "I can't wait for it. The 1,600 fans might give me a bit of stick as well, but I enjoy that. It is part and parcel of it. It definitely adds that bit of extra spice. I have said that in the past when I have played Rotherham, Oxford and Portsmouth; it adds that little bit. Maybe I get a bit more out of my game and I enjoy the battles. Obviously, it's a massive game on Saturday. If we win we are four points clear of them with a game in hand so it's a massive game. It is one we want to win and we will do everything we can do that. It's a very confident squad in there at the minute, so we should be full of beans come Saturday."

"It's a great stat. An ever better one because of the start we had. Looking on in the stand, watching the games, I know we had a bit of bad luck with injuries and sendings off but we weren't doing what we set out to do at the start of the season. So, to come back from that in the manner that we did is a massive achievement for everybody at the football club. We had a disappointing result against Charlton and the performance wasn't really there, but we bounced back really well. It was a massive three points against Peterborough which showed great team spirit to come back in that game, and we have to take that into Saturday now. They are two massive clubs for this level. Obviously, we were both in League Two together and everyone said 'I can't believe these two big clubs are in League Two', and now we are both competing at the top end of League One. Not many would have thought that at the start of the season with the start we had. But we are both now looking very good and it is going to be a good game. We have got six very important games now; it is in our hands. If we want to stay in the play-offs, we can. It is up to us to turn up every week and we will get to where we want to as a squad."

11th

Paul Wotton has spoken positively about the developments of first year pro Alex Fletcher and professional development player Alex Battle as the two near decision day regarding their future at the club. He said of the two Alexes: "Alex Fletcher played against Chelsea in the Checkatrade Trophy and got a couple of goals, and he came on against Fleetwood and scored. He has done okay for a first-year pro. He's an honest boy and gives his all every day, which is great. Alex Battle has got a lot of ability. He can be easy on the eye at times. He scored with a real good finish. I asked him to play in a little bit of different position with 25 minutes to go and he adjusted to it okay They both work hard at their game and it's coming to that decision time, for not just those two but a lot of players. They are doing all they can at the minute."

10th

Newly-appointed director Jane Chafer believes the work on redeveloping and expanding the Grandstand at Home Park is a 'very symbolic' moment, arguing: "I think it's going to be very symbolic for the club, as well as from a business point of view very effective. Symbolic because it's about a modern club, fit to host the best that might be coming, so it's forward looking. It does give us opportunities as well to bring in more sponsors and to do other things that will help boost the financial sustainability of the club. Those additional business opportunities will be fantastic. I was working with Argyle when it was having its worst times, and it's nice to be working with the club again as those things are starting to change and move forward. But I would be doing this in the bad times as well as the good, to be honest. It's great to be doing it now. There will always be things to discuss and issues, but problems of success are better to deal with than problems of the opposite. I would like to be able to see the business of the club be more sustainable so that the football can be front and centre, and get that balance right so that one is consistently supporting the other. I would like to see full gates at every match and I would like to see families come, and widen all of the work that is done with the schools and youth teams."

9th

Derek Adams spoke of a tale of two goals as Argyle defeated Peterborough 2-1, expressing fury at our poor defending for their opener but our great play creating an excellent equaliser. He said respectively: "We had a penalty claim two seconds before up the other end of the park which we felt aggrieved about. Marriott gets in between the two centre halves which we spoke about before the game with the threat he causes - and the two centre halves don't deal with it. He is able to get in behind and score the first goal. That gave them a lift, but we were always in control of the passing and movements in the game. Their threat was always on the counter attack with Marriott. We could have dealt with him better in the first half as he scored a goal. He is always a threat in this division, he looks to play on the shoulder and has scored a lot of goals."

"It was a good goal," said Adams."It was a great cross from Gary Sawyer and it was good to see Ryan Taylor get across of his man to head it into the far corner. It was difficult for him today as we played too many high balls to him, which enabled Baldwin and Taylor to get the better of him at time, if we played it to feet it may have been a different story. But he has been a pivotal player for us."

Kyle Letheren said of Jack Marriott's opener: "There's no pressure on us because we didn't expect to be in this position, so we have got a free shot at getting promoted. To be where we are now is nothing short of brilliant. The boys have done fantastic to get where we are and we are not finished yet. There are going to be plenty of twists and turns and hopefully a few go in our favour from now until the end of the season. It was just a long ball down the middle. I saw Sonny was underneath it and I thought he might have to head it back to me, so I was a bit further out of my goal than I'd normally be. He just completely missed it.The minute it bounced, you could see Marriott glance at me and – very clever – he's just lofted the ball over me. If I was 100% match-sharp, I like to think I would have dealt with it, maybe. These things happen to goalkeepers. You analyse them and you get on with it. It is what it is. We won the game, that's all that matters. It was always going to be a tough, edgy game, obviously, with both of us vying for the play-offs. I think we expected that. They started the better team but after they scored, we were the better team throughout, to be honest. That's the way I saw it from where I was. It was good to get back out there. I was buzzing for it. The way that my first spell in the team ended was a bit infuriating – I'd just got in the team and to get injured like that was disappointing but I'm back now and that is the main thing. You have always got to take the chance when it comes because they don't come around that often as a 'keeper, especially when you have got injured. You can be sat on the bench for a whole season sometimes. I've been sat on the bench for a whole season at numerous places and it's infuriating but, at the same time, you have got to stay professional, train hard – which I do – and just take the opportunity when it comes. That's what I plan to do."

8th

Derek Adams has said that his squad and players are enjoying themselves following yet another home victory, Argyle's 11th out of their last 12. He said of the win vs Peterborough: "It was a good afternoon for us. To win again at home and score two goals, to beat a team above us in the league and to move ourselves into fifth position. The players are enjoying it. They are enjoying the position that they are in and they are enjoying fighting for a play-off position. It is going to be enjoyable from now until the end of the season. To think we are in fifth with six games to go. I always said judge us with six games to go, so that's what we have done and we have been able to put ourselves in a fabulous position. The league period is over 46 games; it is never over two games, six games or ten games. We were quite happy we didn't play last week and the other teams did play. It put us in a better position mentally going forward and it took a lot of pressure off us. We had to change it a wee bit. The two centre midfield players we decided to take off the game it a bit as they were too far forward which was blocking the gap into Carey and Lamieras. Their two centre midfield players were doing a very good job. Peterborough sat very deep and it allowed us to get on the ball and move it quicker and we did that. "Peterborough defended well. We probably put too many crosses into the box which suited them as they defend well with Taylor in the air. We didn't pass it quickly enough in and around the area to open them up. But you have to give credit to Peterborough, they came here to get a point by sitting in and frustrate. That's what they tried to do for the 90 minutes. We have got players that can open up defences and players that can take the ball anywhere. So we knew we would create chances - we had a right back in the penalty area in the dying stages of the game. To get through the game the way they have done, to make major decisions correct. I'm sure the assessor will be sitting there tonight giving them good marks. If the referee doesn't see it, he was looking where the ball was and it was an off the ball incident. The stand side linesman has made the correct call as he's seen it and dealt with it."

"I think the referee was correct in what he did. The stand-side linesman had a clear view of what happened between Shephard and Carey and it was a red card. If you look at Steven Taylor, he has already been booked and then he kicks up the penalty spot. The referee has got no qualms about that. They lost their discipline on and off the pitch and with that it enabled us to get a penalty at the end. It was a clear penalty kick. Oscar Threlkeld has gone up for the ball at the back post and he gets pole-axed."

After his first game back in the side for a few months, Kyle Letheren had nothing but praise for his Argyle teammates that won the game with their attacking prowess. He said: "Ryan Taylor's really been brilliant for us since he's been back from injury and in training. He's a great finisher and took his goal really well, and he handled the two centre-halves like he always does. And G…well – balls of steel at the end, there, especially when you've missed three. To come back and do that was brilliant, shows great composure. It's never easy, especially when you've got that long to take the pen, your mind can wander. I never watch the pens, so I couldn't tell you what side he put it, but great, great composure. It's put us back in the play-offs and hopefully we can stay there now. There was really something on the game today – both of us wanting to get in the play-offs – and I think you could tell that with the commitment from both teams. And we came out on top. It would be the story of my career, but we're not there yet – we've still got a long way to go – and I fancy us, to be fair, the way we have been playing recently. We've got a few tough games coming up and if come out on the right side of them, then we have got every chance."

"I had a phone call off Remi late Friday night, just saying he was on the way back to Norwich because his wife was close to going into labour. I'm not too sure of the ins and outs of it. He said he might not be able make it back and be ready, so that's when I pretty much knew. I was buzzing for it as soon as I got told because the way that my first spell in the team ended was a bit infuriating. I had just got in the team and to get injured like that was disappointing for me, but I'm back now and that's the main thing."

"It was always going to be a tough, edgy game with both us vying for the play-offs. I thought they started the better team but after they scored I think we were the better team throughout. It's a great result and hopefully it can kick us on into next week now and another massive one."

7th

Argyle have climbed into 5th place in League One with a fantastic 2-1 victory over Peterborough United from behind. The Posh took the lead early on before Ryan Taylor equalised shortly after. The Argyle pressure built throughout the second half, resulting in the dismissal of Liam Shephard for an elbow on Graham Carey. Argyle continued to probe and won a penalty in the last minute for a foul on Oscar Threlkeld, after which Steven Taylor was also dismissed for unsportsmanlike behaviour. Graham Carey stepped up and slotted home to send Argyle 5th in League One.

6th

Ryan Edwards has revealed he is waiting for the green light from the doctor to authorise his return to first team action for Argyle. The defender said of his progression in his battle against testicular cancer: "Especially the last two weeks, I've been feeling a lot more myself and it's pretty good to be feeling like that after not knowing what it was being a normal 24-year-old. But it had to be done for my own health and my own safety, and I'm glad the worst is out of the way now. They have told me the chemo will stay in my system for up to six weeks and I'm coming up to five weeks now, so one more week and it should be fully gone. I've started a little bit of light training, probably a little bit earlier that what I should be, but I'm taking it easy and listening to the doctors, listening to their advice. That's important. I've got to keep doing that because, if I push myself too hard, I'll end up going backwards. So I've got to make sure I get the balance right. I'm back to see them on April 10. We'll see what gets said there and, if all goes okay, I should be ready to step it up a bit. They are the experts, so it's better to hear them tell me what the plan could be, going forward. It's slow steps, but the main aim is to get back on the green as quick as I can. Hopefully, it will be quicker than I'm expecting to hear. I'm not going to be on the training pitch straight away. I'm going to have to build my strength and fitness back up in the gym because my body's taken a good whack from all the types of drugs I've been taking. The main thing, first and foremost, will be getting back round the place, getting back round the lads. I know there's a good vibe there at the minute and I just want to get back to it. I haven't known any different, so I need to get back there and just be around them and the place. It will be good to get back to that."

"I love living there. I love the training; the team; the lads; the staff; everything about the club, since I've been there. I've not got one nit-pick about the club. It's been spot on. You can tell it's going in the right direction Come pre-season, July 1, I'll definitely be ready for that. Even in the Championship! Who knows? I've just got to make sure I listen to the right advice from the experts and not push myself too hard with my body until it's time that I can push myself, and we'll take from there, see how my progression goes. I thought I'd walk all over the chemo, being so young and fit, but it shows you how strong it is. Hopefully, the worst is over; I'll get my checks on the 10th and that'll be it."

Derek Adams echoed these words, hoping to see the big defender back on the field soon, saying: "I always keep in contact with Ryan via telephone conversation or by text message. He's due to come back down on April 10; he'll see the consultant and them progress slowly to recovery and see how he really feels. It depends on how he gets on April 10 and then it depends on how much the chemotherapy has taken out of him; then we will have to assess it from there. The chemotherapy has obviously taken a lot out of him but there is no doubt that we would like him back and there is no doubt that Ryan Edwards would like to be back playing."

Sonny Bradley admitted his relief at getting back into the starting eleven after missing three games with a health problem of his own. He explained: "It was massively frustrating. Sitting up in the stands watching my team play, feeling helpless is not a nice feeling. I just wanted to be in the mix and helping the boys wherever I could. To be out for those three games was disappointing. But I am back now, feeling back to where I was so and I'm going to continue to give my all. I was a little bit worried. When I got there I had my bloods taken and they found out something was not right with my kidneys. I panicked a little bit; why they weren't functioning properly we don't know yet as I am still waiting for my results. But it was a very uncomfortable seven days stay. After three days in there I needed a biopsy. Just a small operation on my kidneys, but because I had that I was unable to play for a couple of weeks due to the seriousness of it. Four or five days after my operation they told me I probably wasn't going to play again this season. Which for me was devastating; they looked after me really well. I had great support from all the staff at Argyle and everyone at the hospital. They got me back on my feet again. I'm still not 100%, health-wise, but I am building my fitness up and getting back into it. It has been difficult but I am ready for the last seven games. I've been part of the ups and the downs. I just want to help the lads as much as I can to be honest. I know the manager wanted me back, the lads wanted me back. So as soon as I got the go ahead to train I told the manager I was available. I have had to manage my injury, but I am back on my feet now and I don't want to miss any more games."

"Ryan's illness is a lot more serious. But, for it to happen to both of us, my illness and Ryan's in one season when we both play in the same position it isn't nice for the manager either. I'm sure he has been looking at it like 'what is going on?'. I think the boys have stepped in, Zak has done extremely well and so has Yann when he has played. Ryan has got our full support and I'm back now. Ryan will be back in at the end of the month, so the bad times have gone now and we are looking up."

Bradley also admitted a frustrating day as Argyle's trip to Scunthorpe was rained off but stated the importance of moving past it and looking forward to the next game. He said: 'The results didn't go our way, but I don't look too far into it. I am not really bothered about what's going on around us. With seven games left it is definitely in our hands, if we concentrate on ourselves and win our games then we will be in the play offs. We are playing all the teams around us as well, which is good for us as we have proven this season and the time I have been here, when it comes down to the big games we turn up. It is going to be an interesting month and I am looking forward to it, if we continue playing the way we are I don't see any reason we can't finish in the play offs It will be a good game. Peterborough are a good team to be in the mix, going forward especially they have got big threats. We have got to handle it; manage them and handle the occasion. I'm sure it is going to be full here at Home Park on Saturday, which is what we want. We want the crowd behind us again like we did against Southend, it helps massively. If we get a good start, get the ball in their half and play our football then I think we will be on for a good result."

Adams admitted that he is relishing playing four of Argyle's direct play-off chasing rivals in what looks on paper to be a tough run in to end the League One season. He said: "We are delighted to be in the position we are in. We have got Peterborough and Portsmouth coming up over the next week; Rotherham coming here; then we go away to Scunthorpe. Destiny is in our own hands, so speak, because, if we win those games, we'll be in the play-off positions. It leaves us in a position where we have got a game in hand and it allows us to chase the pack in front," he said. "That's something we look forward to. We have always done that well in our time here – last year was a prime example. We did it last year and we'll do it again this year. It's a good position to be in. It looks like it could be three places that are up for grabs, with probably six teams, from Rotherham down – I think that's the way it is going to look from now until the end of the season. Bristol Rovers and Bradford might have a say in that, depending on their run-in. Bradford have got a couple of games in hand so they could still come into the reckoning."

"They have put themselves back into the play-off positions and have got some exciting, talented players. Marriott has done exceptionally well for them this season and he is one we have to watch, one of the top players in this division. He has scored an outstanding rate of goals this season. They have got a few in the midfield and strikers who will also have to be watched. In saying that, they will obviously have to watch us because we have got exciting players as well. I am sure that Peterborough will have looked at our side and the way we play, and will try to stop us doing what we are good at."

"They have done really well to get themselves back into the play-off positions. They are not in a too dissimilar position now than they were when Grant was there. Grant McCann had done a good job for them and has put a good squad together and left that for Steve. It's always good to see a Scottish manager down here in the South West and he will get a good welcome from the Plymouth Argyle fans when he gets here. The atmosphere has been great. They have seen a lot of good goals, a lot of creative play. Getting back to having a feelgood factor about the football club has always been our aim, and getting supporters back through the door. It's up there with the Championship days of increasing the gates. We're not there yet, but we're continuing to make improvements. There's no pressure on us. We're enjoying it. With seven games to go, we have the possibility of 21 points, a good possibility of getting into the play-off positions."

5th

Following Graham Carey's string of award nominations this week, Derek Adams remarked on how it is virtually impossible to stop the Irish midfielder when he is in his stride. Adams boasted: "The only way they would be able to do that is to man-mark and there is not any team we have come across that have done that this season. He has done fantastically well for us again this season, scoring goals and creating goals, as well. The jump up from League Two to League One has suited him and he has been able to carry on his very good form. He has enjoyed the step up, as have the majority of players that we had here last year. The platform of playing in League One has suited him: teams pass the ball a lot more; the pitches are sometimes better; the stadiums are better, as well; and that suits a lot of our players. He has been terrific ever since I have taken him to the football club. He has played in a variety of roles for us and been accomplished in them all. He takes up good areas on the pitch; he plays in the hole; and, from my point of view, he has got a bit of turn of pace, as well. He can play down the right-hand side or the left-hand side. He has got a fantastic strike on him and, not only that, he sees passes to create openings."

Meanwhile, Sonny Bradley affirmed his desire to remain at the football club with his contract due to expire at the end of the season. He said: "Living six hours away isn't really a problem for me. If you want to be a professional footballer, you have to commit to that life. Sometimes that means moving further away; if you want to improve or better your career you have to make these sacrifices. Plymouth is a lovely place to live. I have never had a problem here since I moved down. I felt welcome straight away and I settled quickly. I found a place to live and that made it a lot easier. The football club: I would advise anybody to come and play for Plymouth. Come down here, l as it is a massive football club, and the fans are ridiculously good. It really does give us a lift. For the two years that I have been here it has been like that every game; that's away as well. Considering where we are in the country, I don't think they get enough credit for how well they travel. It gives the lads a boost, when we come out of that tunnel at 3pm on Saturday and see it full with them shouting and chanting it gives us a lift."

"I've already expressed I do want to stay at the club. Between now and the end of the season there will be more conversations with me and the manager. Whether it gets done by the end of the season I am not sure yet. It might get done in the summer, but the main priority at the minute is winning football matches. All I'm focused on is winning the game on Saturday; everything else is pushed to the back of my mind. Let's just finish the season strongly and for all you know we might be a Championship club."

3rd

Graham Carey has been named in the EFL League One Team of the Season. He has been voted into League One's Best 11 in a composite side chosen by the division's managers. He and Peterborough's Jack Marriott are the only two players from outside the division's top three of Blackburn Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and Wigan Athletic to be honoured. Carey's stunning goal against Blackpool earlier in the season has made it through to the last five of the Goal of the Year competition too.

Tuesday, May 1 is the new date for Argyle's rearranged trip to Scunthorpe United. Kick-off at Glanford Park will be at 7.45pm. The original game, scheduled for Easter Monday, was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. The re-arrangement means that four of the Pilgrims' last five League One matches this season will be away from Home Park.

2nd

Argyle's fixture at Scunthorpe United has been called off. Heavy rain at Glanford Park has waterlogged the playing surface, and after an 11.30am inspection, referee Scott Oldham took the decision to postpone the game.

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