Pilgrims’ King of Assists reveals ‘simple’ secret of his success

GEORGE Cooper has revealed the reason why he has set up so many goals for Plymouth Argyle this season.

The 23-year-old came up with his 11th assist in the 3-0 victory over Grimsby Town at Home Park on Tuesday.

His 21st minute cross into the Grimsby penalty area was headed home by midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson.

Cooper has only scored one goal in 30 games during his loan spell from Peterborough United, but is by far the ‘King of Assists’ at the League Two promotion-chasers.

According to Cooper, the secret to his success in that part of his game is a simple one.

He said: “When I play, the strikers know that I’m going to get the ball and cross it as soon as I can.

“Before the game, Ty said, ‘ I’m going to get in the box, find me at the back post’, and it hit him on the head and went in.”

Cooper added: “We always work on our shape. We play the same formation all season so nothing changes and we are working on that every day we are in.

“We have got a great team and the way we play it suits us, especially playing at Home Park where we can get at teams. It’s all good.”

Cooper returned to Argyle’s starting line-up against Grimsby after a short spell out of the side.

His recall at left wing-back came about because Callum McFadzean moved into central defence due to the suspension of Gary Sawyer.

After losing to Bradford last Saturday it was important for Argyle to bounce back immediately when they played against Grimsby.

Cooper said: “We all knew before the game that we needed to win so when we went out there we were all on it and we got what we deserved comfortably.

“We played some great stuff in the first half especially, and on another day we could have had more goals.”

Argyle continue their push for promotion against Macclesfield Town at Home Park today.

The teams met as recently as February 18 at Moss Rose, when the Pilgrims scored a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with their relegation-threatened hosts.

With Macclesfield fighting for their EFL lives the return match is likely not to be easy either.

Cooper said: “We know what we need to do against Macc after playing them a few weeks ago. It will be a different game this time around, with the pitch and stuff.

“We know what we need to do. We need to get the three points. We have a feeling what they might do when they come here so we have to be ready for that.”

Argyle have 10 games to play, starting against Macclesfield, as they try to secure a return to League One at the first attempt.

It is tight at the top of the table, though, with just six points separating the leaders, Swindon Town, and Cheltenham Town, who sit in fifth place.

Cooper said: “It’s going to go right down to the wire.”