Western Morning News (Saturday)
‘Massive month’ chance to build momentum and maintain Pilgrims play-off push
PLYMOUTH Argyle need to build some momentum over their seven matches in March to maintain a League One play-off push, manager Steven Schumacher has declared.
Schumacher admitted it was a ‘massive month’ for the Pilgrims, who play Morecambe at Home Park this afternoon (KO 3pm).
Argyle dropped to eighth position, three points outside the play-off places, after a midweek home victory for Wycombe Wanderers against Cambridge United.
Schumacher has seen his side lose their last two games, including a 1-0 defeat against table-topping Rotherham United at Home Park last Saturday, so they need to return to winning ways as soon as possible.
He said: “The results went the way they did [on Tuesday] and we have ended up dropping down another place, but we have got a couple of games in hand on teams now.
“There are going to be loads of twists and turns but the main focus is just on yourself all the time. You have just got to win your games.
“It’s a massive month [March]. We have made no secret of that, we need to try and build some momentum if we can.
“Just because we are at home for the majority of the games it’s not going to be easy, but if we can get our results back going in the right direction then we will be fine.
“We have just got to keep our performances high, which is what we focus on. If we perform well and we create chances then we have got a good chance.”
Morecambe arrive at Home Park in 21st position while Argyle will also entertain 20th-placed AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Schumacher added: “I don’t think it matters where the other teams are in the table. It’s two games at home that we want to take points from.
“Rotherham are top of the league, they are flying and it’s hard to play against them. We played really well.
“Morecambe are down the bottom end of the league but they are still fighting for something as well so it won’t be easy. We are expecting a tough game and we will have to be at our best to win it.”
Former promotion-winning Argyle manager Derek Adams was reappointed as the Morecambe boss last week for a second spell after Stephen Robinson left to take over at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.
It has seen a return to Morecambe for Adams who led them to promotion from League Two last term via the play-offs before moving to Bradford City last summer.
Schumacher said: “It is a new manager for Morecambe because he has only just gone there but it’s somebody that they know really well and had success with.
“They got promoted from League Two under Derek so they will know his methods and how he works. They will be used to it.
“We know what his teams are usually like. They are always well organised, play a certain style and cause problems, so we won’t expect any different. He will be motivated coming back to Home Park I’m sure.”
Schumacher added: “It was a brilliant achievement what they did last year to get promoted.
“The year before they were right down the table so the turnaround was incredible, and it just shows the good job that Derek did.
“This year they have more than held their own under Stephen Robinson and now he has left them and Derek has taken charge.
“They are a good team. They have got a striker in Cole Stockton who has got 18 league goals.
“They have got midfield players that have got real good quality and they work really hard as a team for each other so it’s a good mix.”