Canavan wants to build on a rare clean sheet
DEFENDER Niall Canavan hopes Plymouth Argyle can build on the confidence of keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win against Gillingham.
It was only the fourth time in 21 League One games this season that the Pilgrims had not conceded a goal.
Gillingham did have a couple of very good chances to equalise late on, first from Connor Ogilvie and then Matty Willock.
Both failed to hit the target from close range, though, and Argyle could celebrate a victory in their first match of 2021.
Argyle’s defence are sure to be put to the test in their next match, the FA Cup third round tie away to Championship club Huddersfield Town on Saturday.
However, they can take encouragement from preventing Gillingham getting on the scoresheet against them.
Canavan said: “It’s always pleasing to keep a clean sheet. That’s what we pride ourselves on and we have not kept the back door shut for whatever reason lately.
“So it was nice to get back to that and it gives us a solid foundation to build from.”
Argyle were up against a physically powerful side in Gillingham and Canavan thought the key to their success was sticking to their principles and playing around the opposition.
Canavan said: “I think that’s evident from the goal. We switch it out quickly, get down the side and Jephers (Luke Jephcott) is in there with another good finish.
“That’s how we have had success most of the time, playing our football. Sometimes we have maybe come away from that recently.
“I’m pleased to say we stayed at it more (against Gillingham), and even in the second half we still got it going.
“You have got to mix it with them sometimes - you get drawn into that every now and then - but I felt we still played our football when we could.”
The gameplan against Gillingham was for Argyle to play the ball out from defence and try to draw out the visitors’ midfield before exploiting the space behind them.
Canavan said: “The Gaffer (Ryan Lowe) gives us the confidence to go out there and do that.
“That’s what he wants us to do and that’s what he trusts us to do. You have got to back yourself every time.”