We need you with us, Argyle boss tells fans
MANAGER Carl Fletcher has appealed for encouragement from Plymouth Argyle's fans as the players try to get on the winning track.
His comments came after the 1-1 draw with struggling Bristol Rovers at Home Park on Tuesday.
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The Pilgrims made a lacklustre start to the League Two contest against winless Rovers and some of the Green Army soon voiced their displeasure.
Argyle gradually got into the game and took the lead with a superb long-distance shot from midfielder Conor Hourihane in the 35th minute.
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But the Pilgrims could not build on that goal, and Rovers were good value for their equaliser, which came from centre-back Tom Parkes in the 70th minute.
The visitors then had chances after that to take maximum points back to Bristol with them.
After all of Argyle's struggles on the pitch over recent seasons, patience is starting to wear out among many supporters.
So wasting an opportunity to beat Rovers and move up the table was very frustrating for all concerned.
Fletcher heard the criticism from some sections of the Green Army, but insisted a 'large majority' had stuck by Argyle.
The Pilgrims are 19th in the League Two table, with six points from their first seven games.
Fletcher said: "We have got a lot of young players in the team and encouragement is the way forward.
"People getting on their backs isn't going to make them play any better. It's going to have a detrimental effect.
"We have got young players who are trying to do things the right way. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. Some patience is needed."
"I thought the fans in the Devonport End on Tuesday were great," he added.
It was the second successive match at Home Park in which Argyle had taken a 1-0 lead into the interval but not ended up winning.
The previous occasion was when the Pilgrims were beaten 3-1 by Port Vale last Saturday.
Fletcher thought that result had been on the minds of the players as they struggled to perform in the second half against Rovers.
He said: "We couldn't get that spark, and that bit of control, that we wanted in the second half.
"It just wasn't there for us, apart from little glimpses now and again. In terms of performance, it wasn't what we wanted."
One positive for Fletcher was Hourihane's first goal of the season.
The 21-year-old Irish midfielder had not scored in a competitive match at Home Park before, and it was one to remember.
Only last week, Hourihane had told Herald Sport he was desperate to get among the goals.
Fletcher said: "I think Conor could probably have scored in every game we have played in this season.
"It was nice for him to get his goal. He has been desperate to get more goals from midfield."
On-loan Aldershot Town striker Guy Madjo made his first start for Argyle, after two substitute appearances, against Rovers. He almost opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a shot which hit the top of the crossbar.
Fletcher said: "He's always going to put defenders under pressure. With his size and his physicality he's always going to cause problems.
"I was pleased for him to get a run-out. He has been itching to get on and get involved."
Fletcher admitted Argyle had not kept possession well enough in the second half to take some of the attacking sting out of Rovers.
He said: "When they (Rovers) were in the ascendancy, we were disappointed we didn't do the right things in terms of passing the ball.
"We got a little bit panicky, and things got fragmented. That's something we can look to improve on, but the lads put in a real hard shift.
"We were disappointed we didn't get three points, but we will take what we got."
Comments
by Peverellfan
Saturday, September 22 2012, 4:12AM
“At a time when we are tightening are belts as a club why won't Fletch look closer to home. The best local player around is a centre mid. from Bodmin called Shane Krac he gets star man week in week out! Ok so it's a lower league but I watched this lad against Leeds ( as well as other occasions) and he was the best midfielder on the park. Never gives the ball away wears his heart on his sleeve and is a box to box player as well as scoring goals. Much better than what we have in the middle at the moment hands down!. Looks like we may have missed out though as Torquay are about to take him on trial. He lives local could sign now and would cost peanuts in wages. Whats a trial Fletch????”
by Ryesie1982
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:50PM
“I've been giving Argyle encouragement for the past 20 years. 15 of them as a season ticket holder but after watching Argyle against Port Vale and Bristol its hard to feel that encouraged. It's simple CF you haven't strengthened the positions we needed strengthening, instead you signed a load if wingers and you put them on the bench WHY? because they are no good enough!”
by PlymptonGreen
Friday, September 21 2012, 11:13PM
“Well I Mr Fletcher need you to start producing a few positive results, and I have been supporting Argyle for a lot longer than you have!
Personally i'm not into ****ging off anyone in the Green n White but considering only 5 years ago we were enjoying life near the top of the Championship it's hardly surprising patience is wearing a bit thin is it!
IMHO Fletch, comments like this will not help your position as our manager, your policy of not talking to the press regards playing issues (injurys etc) is frustrating but i understand the reasons, maybe you should adopt the same policy regards the paying public who will still be here long after you!
COYG's”
by Bedgreens
Friday, September 21 2012, 8:00PM
“I was at the game on Tuedsay first one this season as I don't live in Plymouth anymore. I was really impressed with the support and encourgement coming from the Devonport End, in fact next time I go I'm going to sit up there. Whatever the rights and wrongs of where we are we have to get behind the team as is, I think its going to take a while to prepare a team that is a going to take us back up the divisions”
by BrianG
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:08PM
“plymtel
You mentioned the youth team, have you seen the youngsters play or did you just pluck that out of the air?
We have some great youth players who are doing really well and the set-up is good and highly professional.”
by malcolmjoce
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:03PM
“fletcher is a joke time to go i think. he has the nurve to have a go at the fans”
by BrianG
Friday, September 21 2012, 12:03PM
“To say that Argyle haven't moved forward in any way under Fletch is not true. Even now he is trying to get them to play in a better way, but we know it takes time for folk to change.
Paul Wotton's contribution has mostly been underrated and it was significant that against Port Vale we totally capitulated when he went off. Fletch must be just as frustrated as everyone else, but can't really show it publicly.
I hope Ross Jenkins is able to push the team forward as we seem to be playing ever deeper, which results in panicky hoofballs back to the opposition.”
by MarkEmark1234
Friday, September 21 2012, 10:33AM
“Digger51 - Wotton went off against Port Vale and we conceded 3 goals in 12 minutes. Go figure......”
by b_mused
Thursday, September 20 2012, 11:18PM
“A couple of years ago some of the crowd never gave Luke Summerfield a chance yet he was one who tried to break the mould of "up and under" football.”
by plymtel
Thursday, September 20 2012, 8:06PM
“First off I do not condone the heckling and booing of Argyle Fans during Tuesday's game against Bristol Rovers, it was extremely unhelpful.
That said Carl Fletcher has been in the job for 12 months and we have hardly moved forward.
The best games and results last season seemed to come when he had Sean O'Driscoll
and John Deehan as mentors and I feel sure that is the only reason Argyle survived in the football league.
Since Carl Fletcher and his management have been left to their own devices the summer signings has been speculative and preseason has been disastrous. It is now obvious to most fans that he is not up job as well as others at the club. The youth training scheme is no longer the force it was, before which we will not be attracting the young prospects in Devon and Cornwall.
At the end of the day the debate that Carl Fletcher and his management team capabilities can go on and on but one thing that cannot lie and is not disputable is the results and league position.
What worries me now that Exeter City which is now thought to be the major football club in Devon. Now with expansion and investment that being thrown at their city together with its geographical position the club could eventually end up as the premier club in Devon.
Before it is to late Mr James needs to make a modest investment and bring an experience and able manager to build a team worthy of our club.
Otherwise the unthinkable will happen with our club sliding to oblivion..”