Straight talking with former Plymouth Argyle favourite Danny Salman
AS FAR as humanly possible, John Sheridan has to get Argyle playing without fear against Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.
If Argyle's last two games are any guideline, it's going to be a tough job for John who has been in charge now for two matches against Morecambe and Accrington.
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Arguably, they were as bad as any games I've seen Argyle in at Home Park, but they came through them unscathed winning 2-1 and drawing 0-0 respectively.
A return of four points from a possible six in his first two games as new manager is a pretty good return for John, even if the displays leave a lot to be desired.
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But then performances for the umpteenth season in a row have now become of secondary importance to the outcome as Argyle try and stave off relegation.
The difference this year is that Argyle face going out of the Football League altogether if they finish in the bottom two come the end of April.
So there is bound to be a level of anxiety among the players.
I think the game against Accrington reflected that and exposed the deficiencies in the present squad.
In my view Argyle last Saturday against Accrington were as poor as I've seen them.
They were disjointed and lacklustre even though the players presumably realised Accrington were there for the taking.
Now we've got another must-win game on our hands this Saturday against Dagenham who will be targeting Argyle for three points.
I know Dagenham manager John Still and seeing how close they are to the play-off places, he'll be telling his players that Plymouth are beatable.
Somehow, and against recent evidence it's going to be difficult, John has to convince his players that Dagenham are no world beaters either.
If he can make it seven out of nine points from his opening three games in charge then John won't have made a bad beginning to his Argyle career.
However, and I hope I'm proven wrong, I don't see us winning what are really difficult and important games coming up with loan signings.
Many of you will sympathise with that sentiment and others not, but it's my experience that using your own playing staff is the best way forward.
I'm a great advocate that if you're good enough, then you're old enough and shouldn't be protected from the cut and thrust of League Two or whatever division you are in.
People say, 'Well, you wouldn't want to stick a youngster in right now', given how vital points are to Plymouth.
That would put extra pressure on the lads.
On the contrary, I believe young players perform with less inhibition and therefore less fear and more freedom.
I know John has only been here a little while and will not know their abilities, but if it turns out he doesn't trust these youngsters, then why have them on the books?
Being 18 or 19 year old is not young these days and I believe that the performances of Luke Young in midfield, for instance, prove home-grown talent is the way to go.
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