Western Morning News (Saturday)
Schumacher looking for a positive response
PLYMOUTH Argyle have reviewed and moved on from their midweek mauling by Charlton Athletic and are ‘looking forward to putting in a better performance’ against Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn this afternoon, according to Steven Schumacher.
The Pilgrims will be without suspended defender James Wilson, who was sent-off late in the first half of the 5-1 defeat away to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night, with Nigel Lonwijk set to take over from him.
Schumacher will be looking for a positive response from his players against Forest Green, whose home game with Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night was a late postponement due to a waterlogged pitch.
Asked about the lessons of the defeat by Charlton, Schumacher said: “We have learned that we are not quite there yet as a team.
“Both attacking with the ball and defensively, we are not 100 per cent where we want it, which is understandable. It’s early in the season with half a new team.
“But it also showed us the players have got good character, still believe in what we are trying to do and give their all for the team.
“Although the result was poor, and a 5-1 was a drubbing, there was parts of the first half that were quite good after the first 10 minutes.
“I have watched it back and we are in the game, we created decent chances without having that little bit of quality. We are not quite right with the ball yet.
“Then, unfortunately, we shot ourselves in the foot with two goals right on the stroke of half-time that has killed it as a contest. We created our own problems and got punished.”
Schumacher continued: “There were positives there. For 30 minutes of the game we did okay – could do better but we did alright.
“We have spoken about that to the players, and showed them areas where things need to be better, and other things that are just completely not acceptable.
“That’s dealt with now, we have reviewed it and moved on, and now we are looking forward to putting in a better performance on Saturday.”
Forest Green were League Two champions last season but lost their boss Rob Edwards to Championship club Watford in the summer.
Edwards was replaced by Notts County manager Ian Burchnall, who has led Rovers to a record of one win, a draw and one defeat from their first three league games at the higher level.
They won 2-1 away to Bristol Rovers on opening day and then narrowly lost by the same scoreline at home to title favourites Ipswich Town before drawing 1-1 at Lincoln City in their last match.
Schumacher said: “Another team with a new manager who are playing some nice football. I watched them back against Ipswich and it was a good game, they played well.
“They have got a nice way of playing, have got some good movement, some good forward players, a new manager they are all trying to impress.
“And, obviously, they are fresh. They didn’t play Tuesday night so it’s going to be a tough game.”
Forest Green’s forwards include former Premier League striker Connor Wickham, a recent free agent signing who scored on his debut in the draw against Lincoln, and Jamille Matt, the ex-Argyle loan signing who played a big part for the Pilgrims as they reached the League Two PlayOff Final at Wembley in 2016 before losing 2-0 to AFC Wimbledon.
Schumacher is not surprised Forest Green, who pipped Exeter City to the League Two title on goal difference, have had a decent start to the season.
“That’s what happens when you have had success the previous year, you can build on that momentum and I’m sure that’s what Forest Green are going to try and do for as long as possible,” said the Pilgrims’ boss.
“It’s up to us just to try and see this game as what it is. It’s a League One fixture and as this division shows all the time any team can beat anyone.
“Teams that have come down from the Championship that are heavily fancied, we have beaten both of them, and teams coming up from League Two are more than a match for the top teams as well.”
On Burchnall, Schumacher said: “I have never met him but what I have seen from his team is real good signs so far. They are playing good football, they move the ball really well.
“They have good movement in their midfield and their forward players cause you a problem. That seems to be the trend at the moment.
“People are trying to play football, in my opinion the correct way, and long may that continue with young, ambitious coaches and managers who want to do things right.”
Playing a second successive away game on a Saturday after a midweek match is always a challenge for Argyle.
Schumacher said: “It’s not easy when we come back from the London fixtures, or anywhere else further afield, and you get back at crazy hours in the morning.
“It’s not easy but it’s part and parcel of playing for Plymouth Argyle. The players get used to it, they have got to deal with it and get over it.
“We have got to try and prepare them as best as we can so they are right and ready to go again on Saturday.
“I also feel for our fans who must have jet-lag, but they have got to get in their cars again and do the journey so we won’t grumble about it.
“We know they will come and support us in their numbers again. It’s sold-out, which is brilliant, so we have to put a performance on for them.”