Carey admits Argyle must seek initiative
Concession of game’s first goal proves costly for Pilgrims again as FA Cup exit is sealed
Midfielder Graham Carey has highlighted the importance of Plymouth Argyle getting the first goal in their games.
The Pilgrims have found it difficult to do that for much of this season, and their results have suffered as a consequence. It was more of the same on Saturday, when Argyle lost 2-1 to Oxford United in the FA Cup second round at Home Park.
They had much the better of the first half but could not turn some good scoring chances into any goals. Oxford then struck twice in ten minutes after the interval to take a firm grip on the game.
Midfielder Antoni Sarcevic did reply for the Pilgrims midway through the second half with a fine finish with the outside of his right boot but an equaliser which would have forced a replay proved elusive, despite late pressure.
Carey told the Plymouth Herald: “It was one of those days. It was frustrating because we played so well for long periods in the game. To get nothing from it is pretty sore, but there have been a lot of positives.
“It’s just the ten-minute spell in the second half where we got punished for our mistakes which let us down.
“It’s hard to be positive straight after the game, but we were delighted with the start we made. We knew, if we could start right, we could be on the front foot.
“That is what happened, and we just didn’t take the chances which we created.”
Carey believes that getting the first goal in games more often would ease the pressure on the Argyle defence.
He said “Us going forward, as a front four and midfield, we need to take our chances and get a lead, then it releases the pressure on the back four.
“If we keep going 60 or 70 minutes without scoring, then the opposition are going to get a chance, and if they take it they are ahead. It’s up to us to get a foothold in the game, get the first goal and release the pressure on the back four.”
After Sarcevic scored, Argyle pressed hard for an equaliser, and it almost came in stoppage time when substitute Ruben Lameiras fired a shot against a post.
Carey said: “I think we showed how much we wanted to be in the competition, after the affiliation we have had with it over the last few years.
“We really wanted to be in the next round and we gave everything towards the end. It just wasn’t enough,” the Irishman added.