Western Morning News (Saturday)
Pilgrims aiming to right the wrongs of Crewe loss
Plymouth’s first half horror show is still fresh in the memory of boss Ryan Lowe
RYAN Lowe wants Plymouth Argyle to put some wrongs right against Crewe Alexanrda at Home Park today.
The Pilgrims produced a dreadful first half display when they played away to David Artell’s Crewe on December 15.
Former Crewe striker Lowe ditched his usual three-man central defence for a back four in an attempt to put a halt to a losing run of results.
However, Argyle were well off the pace to begin with and went into half-time trailing 2-0.
A change of tactics saw an improved performance during the second period, with five substitutes also used, but the visitors still lost 2-1 despite a late goal from Luke Jephcott.
With that game still fresh in the mind, Lowe wants to ‘put that right’ in the return fixture.
Lowe said: “We know all about Crewe, we have played them quite a bit over the last couple of seasons.
“I have got good connections there, and so has Schuey (assistant manager Steven Schumacher). We know all about them and they know all about us.
“We were disappointing in the first half when we played there not long ago. So we want to make sure we try and put that right.
“Dave is doing a great job. Him and Kenny (Lunt, assistant manager) have got some fantastic players.
“We need to be on our mettle because they are a good team and they can beat anyone - along with a lot of teams in this division.
“So we will show the respect that they deserve, we always do, but we are on home turf and we plan to go out and win a game of football.”
Goals from Charlie Kirk and Owen Dale gave Crewe their interval lead over Argyle at Gresty Road.
Lowe said: “I have to take a bit of responsibility for the first half performance because I picked the team and changed the shape. We tried something different.
“That won’t happen again because we won’t play the same in the first half as we did up there. I can guarantee you that.
“What we can also guarantee is the work-rate and the effort the lads have been putting in of late.
“And the game plans that we have been putting together, they have taken them to where we want to take them - and that’s winning games of football.
“I think three wins, a draw and a loss in the last five is good form.
“We know what to expect from Crewe, but we know what to expect from our lads. We are at home and we will focus on ourselves.”
Lowe added: “The game up there is irrelevant now, it has gone, done and dusted.
“The first half performance weren’t acceptable, we all knew that, and that won’t happen again.
“I’m looking forward to potentially putting the wrongs right on Saturday afternoon.”
Lowe confirmed that when Argyle’s players and staff were tested for Covid-19 on Tuesday there were no positive results returned.
Further tests were carried out on Thursday as part of the newly-introduced PFA-funded twice-weekly protocols.
Meanwhile, Lowe declined to comment on the status of injured midfielder Lewis Macleod.
The 26-year-old had to be substituted in the first half of the 1-0 League One win against Gillingham at Home Park on January 2.