Paul Sturrock expects a tough time on return to Plymouth Argyle
PAUL STURROCK has warned his in-form Southend United they will have to play at the top of their game to get anything at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
The legendary former Argyle manager brings the Shrimpers to Home Park on the proverbial crest of a wave, having won five out of six September matches to close within three points of second place in League Two.
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Paul Sturrock
Their only loss this month came away to table-topping Gillingham and the Scot believes that Southend should not have left Priestfield Stadium empty handed, such has been their improvement since an injury-affected August.
Sturrock is aware the Pilgrims, too, under the stewardship of his former players manager Carl Fletcher and assistant Romain Larrieu, are a hard team to beat.
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Sturrock has watched film of Argyle's 3-2 victories against Northampton at home and last Saturday away at Morecambe and was impressed by their doggedness in earning a goalless draw at Torquay United.
He will also remember that last season Southend let slip a two-goal lead against Argyle, who were battling to beat the drop into non-league.
Alex MacDonald marked his debut for the Pilgrims on Saturday, February 4 by scoring a late winner to earn Argyle an unlikely 2-2 draw against Southend who were one of the front-runners to win promotion to League One.
Sturrock admits Argyle and their fortunes are 'dear to my heart' but said those emotional ties will have to be suspended come 3pm on Saturday when his present and former teams clash at Home Park.
"It's going to be a hard game – we'll be a difficult nut to crack – but we'll have to be at our best to win on Saturday," Sturrock, who has two stints as manager of Plymouth on his CV, told Herald Sport.
"We've started to gel as a team now after tricky spell at the start of this season when we had so many injuries.
"Also, I've only four players in this year's line-up from last season so that's been a factor in us getting results.
"But I feel now we're beginning to turn the corner and getting some pleasing wins.
"So, Argyle, like us, will have to play very well to get anything on Saturday, but I'm sure Carl and Romain will have done their homework on us like I have done on them.
"And I know from experience that travelling down to Plymouth and getting something while there is always a tough hurdle for teams to get over.
"Last year we were 2-0 up and if not coasting, then comfortably ahead, but Argyle stuck at it and in the end got a deserved draw.
"That point helped them (Argyle) stay up but at the same time it was two points shed unnecessarily for us.
"We've got ourselves up to within striking distance of second place and I think deservedly so.
"And although it's a long, long season, I don't want a repeat of last year's result, so like I said we'll have to be at the top of our form.
"Just like I'm sure Carl and Romain will be urging their players to be."
Sturrock has been impressed by the determination, plus the mixture of loan players, youth and experience that Fletcher and Larrieu have in the Argyle squad.
He said: "I brought Carl to the club knowing his qualities as a player, but it's been tricky for him as he's having to learn to be a manager on the hoof. Similarly with Romain, you've got to respect the way they have put together a competitive side.
"Argyle look like a side who don't get rolled over and obviously that's a good quality to have. They will have the fans on their side against us, which is how I used to like it when I managed Argyle.
"The club (Argyle) is part of me. I want them to do well, but I hope the Green Army will forgive me if I take time out from that between 3pm and 5pm come Saturday."
FORMER Argyle goalkeeper and assistant boss Kevin Blackwell is the new manager of League One club Bury.
Comments
by sufc_blues
Thursday, September 27 2012, 8:00PM
“3-0 to the mighty blues!!!!!!”
by bennytheboy1
Thursday, September 27 2012, 5:40PM
“@Steady on thebigfella1,your beginning to sound like you have read to many of Dennis Salmons offerings.Plymouths back four perform very well as a unit,I agree Purse has been a bit suspect in recent weeks,this is no doubt because of his injured toe and lack of training during the week,but credit to the guy for playing through it.With hopefully a bit more creativity in midfield our front runners are going to get more oportunities in front of goal (whilst actually facing it) which will bring success,more so when Rhys is fit again.
Fletcher is no mug,he knows the best way to attack in this league is by keeping the ball on the ground and using pace to get behind the other sides defenders which will create havoc in the box for slow moving defenders.
Yes its not perfect yet,but the signs are there.”
by thebigfella1
Thursday, September 27 2012, 11:02AM
“At least CF should know how Luggy is going to approach the game - Get it down, get it wide and get it in the box... or plan B, Bang it down the channels.
Argyle need to cut out the defensive lapses to stand any chance of winning more games. For a team that will struggle to score goals, they simply have to stop conceding them. Purse needs to buck his ideas up and start acting like an experienced player and captain... we also need to get Rhys Griffiths fit - quick!!”
by keefynics
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:42AM
“Ok Plymouth Herald, please explain how McDonald scored a late winner in a 2-2 draw. Looking forward to reply including the mathematical formula that allowed you to reach your answer.”
by BrianG
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:20AM
“I hope the central defenders are on form, they need to start playing from the beginning of the game not halfway through and not giving away silly goals.
Southend have some very good players, but are beatable.
Luggy has played the 'Ferguson' tactic before, but we need to ignore him and concentrate on our own game. Keep passing it and I can see a win.
COYG's!”
by greensensible
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:12AM
“Easy 3 points luggy.
Don't come much easier than this. Probably get away with playing 11 out field players!”
by trex1_
Thursday, September 27 2012, 10:11AM
“Lets just also hope that apart from 3 points for The Greens that Luggy is welcomed back and not given a hard time by sections off the ground. regardless of what people say he will be a legend for PAFC for what he achieved”
by alabar1
Thursday, September 27 2012, 9:54AM
“Should be an interesting game,one which the Greens can get something out of,good luck to Luggy after Saturdays game,but i do think the old mind games are being played here ,Southend are not that good and are certainly beatable if Argyle play with fair through the midfield bringing our wide pacey players into the game to unsettle thier pedestrian back four.
If Darren and Max are on top form our back four is amongst the best in the division.
Lets hope for a big attendance from the GREEN ARMY to ROAR the team on.”
by colin2010
Thursday, September 27 2012, 9:30AM
“Sorry for the typing error on the third line. I meant 'it' but sure you will all understand what I mean.”
by colin2010
Thursday, September 27 2012, 9:26AM
“How many times do I hear of Managers saying Home Park is a tough or hard place to come to and get a result. Total mind games. Over the last 5 years Home Park has been an easy place to come and get a result. Actions speak louder than words. Lets make in a tough place to come like it used to be many years ago. We get walked over and often play like the away side rather then getting up and getting at them. How many times have we scored and then defended deep and conceded points. Morecambe was a good away result but to prove we are coming on we need to be beating the likes of Southend at home and then we can say that perhaps Fletcher is slowly getting it right. If not last weeks result is wasted on weak performance at home.”