We need to be more of a handful up front, says Plymouth Argyle boss John Sheridan

RELEGATION-threatened Plymouth Argyle cannot continue to rely on only Jason Banton getting goals for them, manager John Sheridan has warned.

The on-loan Crystal Palace winger has netted four times in seven games for the Pilgrims.

Banton added to his tally when he scored in the 2-1 defeat by League Two leaders Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.

However, goals have been few and far between from his team-mates over recent matches.

The only other players to get on the scoresheet for Argyle since the start of February have been Conor Hourihane and Ronan Murray.

They were both on target for the Pilgrims when they beat Barnet 2-1 at Home Park on March 2.

Sheridan told Herald Sport: "We can't keep relying on Jason. He's a wideman. I would like one or two of my strikers to get some goals.

"I don't think they have had many attempts at goal. It's something I have got to think about."

Strikers Reuben Reid and Gozie Ugwu, on loan from Yeovil Town and Reading, respectively, have yet to score for Argyle.

Reid has started eight games for the Pilgrims while Ugwu has made two starts and four substitute appearances.

Sheridan said: "I think Reuben has got to be doing a lot better. I was confident he would get goals when I brought him in but he hasn't scored.

"Our strikers need to be creating more chances to score goals."

Sheridan pointed to Gillingham's 12-goal striker Danny Kedwell as an example of what he was talking about.

Kedwell did not score against Argyle but still played his part in the Gills' win on Saturday.

Sheridan said: "I'm watching the lad Kedwell for them and, no disrespect to him he's not a great player, but he works his socks off.

"He plays to his strengths and leads the line very well. I thought he was a real handful.

"That's just with will and determination and I think we can learn from that. He works very hard and he played for the team.

"He was keeping possession and putting us on the back foot all day. It's something we need to do a lot better.

"We need to be more of a handful up front," added the Pilgrims boss.

Argyle dropped to the bottom of the table after their defeat by Gillingham and Sheridan thought they had shown too much respect to their table-topping hosts.

He said: "I'm not too down. We battled away and it was always going to be difficult.

"I think we could have got something out of the game but we lacked that little bit of belief about how we could cause them problems.

"I can shout and scream on the sidelines but it's about players taking command on the pitch."

Gillingham took the lead with a goal from on-loan Brentford striker Antonio German in the 31st minute.

Midfielder Chris Whelpdale then made it 2-0 to the Gills in the second half.

Banton replied in the 76th minute with a fine low finish but Argyle could not come up with an equaliser despite a couple of late chances for the on-loan Palace winger.

Sheridan was annoyed at the way the Pilgrims conceded both of Gillingham's goals.

He said: "I don't look at the goals when they go in the back of the net. I look at it 20 seconds before it has happened.

"It's just people not being switched on and not getting in position.

"We don't do it. I'm trying to get it into their heads and it's something we have to do a lot better."

Sheridan revealed Argyle centre-back Anthony Charles had been substituted in the second half because of a slight groin injury.

Charles, 31, has been an ever present since signing for the Pilgrims in January but could be a doubt for the clash against Bradford City at Home Park tomorrow (7.45pm).

Sheridan said: "He felt a twinge in his groin. We will just have to assess him and see how he is for Tuesday."

Meanwhile, Hourihane was booked for the ninth time this season in the game against Gillingham for a foul on midfielder Steven Gregory.

Hourihane will be suspended for two matches should he receive one more yellow card.