A TOUGH JOB TO FILL IN UP TOP – GRANT
PLYMOUTH have stumbled in recent weeks in their bid for a League One play-off place – and striker Joel Grant admits he has found it hard to fill in for the injured Ryan Taylor.
Taylor had missed the three games before the weekend with an ankle injury as the Pilgrims slipped out of the play-off spots by taking just two points from nine.
The 30-year-old Jamaican Grant was initially tasked with replacing Taylor, before boss Derek Adams turned to Ruben Lameiras in a new position for Tuesday’s trip to Rochdale.
And, while Grant has a very different profile to the 6ft 2in Taylor, he admits Argyle have struggled to replace the 29-year-old.
He said: “It’s tough at times because he has done such a fantastic job.
“One thing I would like to say is that we are different players. Although I have gone in, my role isn’t to do what Ryan Taylor does.
“My role is to try to do what I’m capable of.
“At times, it’s tough for the defenders because they need an out ball and there isn’t much on but to kick it up to me.
“At the moment, I’m just trying to fill his shoes and give my best for the team.”
Argyle have been short of options up front in the absence of Taylor, with Nathan Blissett, 27, having moved to Macclesfield on loan in January and Jake Jervis, 26, now at Luton in League Two.
But Adams has no regrets over his winter business.
He added: “You have as big a squad as you can and we have had competition all over the pitch.
“Nathan Blissett and Jake Jervis both wanted to leave the club because they weren’t playing here.
“If a player doesn’t want to stay, then we have to let them move on.”