Western Morning News

Watts delighted with his response to costly error

On-loan defender goes from villain to hero in helping Argyle keep two clean sheets

- CHRIS ERRINGTON chris.errington@reachplc.com

DEFENDER Kell Watts has admitted that he has taken a lot of satisfacti­on from Plymouth Argyle’s back-to-back 1-0 victories over against Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town.

Those two clean sheets have come after the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, when the Pilgrims led by two goals in the closing stages but could not hold on for the win.

Portsmouth’s late comeback began when Watts tried to let the ball run out of play for a goal kick, but Ronan Curtis touched it away from him and then scored from a tight angle.

It was tough on the 21-year-old at the time, but the Newcastle United loan signing revealed he had a lot of support afterwards from his Argyle ‘family’, led by manager Ryan Lowe.

Watts was determined to come back stronger from that disappoint­ment against Portsmouth.

He has succeeded in doing that, with his performanc­es in the defeats of Accrington and Fleetwood, contributi­ng to consecutiv­e clean sheets.

The victory over Fleetwood had special significan­ce for Watts and his team-mates. That was because the Pilgrims were hammered 5-1 when they played at Fleetwood in November, but were able to turn the tables on them at Home Park on Saturday.

Watts said: “The boys were fantastic away at Portsmouth. We were great, led 2-0, we did everything.

“Then I made an honest mistake. I held my hands up straight away in the changing room.

“I felt like I had the let the boys down and the staff, so I said that when I went in, but we are a family here.

“I had the backing from the Gaffer (Lowe). He said ‘You have got a game Tuesday, let’s go.’ To keep two clean sheets since then I’m very happy.”

Watts added: “These things happen in football, I’m young. It’s about how you react to things. I didn’t cave in, I got my chest out and said ‘Bring it on’.

“Accrington away was a tough game, Fleetwood was a tough game from what happened at their place. I don’t cave in, I’m going to come back stronger.”

Watts is one of only two Argyle players to start every League One game this season, with goalkeeper Mike Cooper the other one.

“I’m thankful for the Gaffer and his staff sticking by us every game,” said Watts. “I think that’s 34 (in all competitio­ns) now this season so I’m playing a lot.

“Next week at Rochdale I have got to be at it, I have got to keep my place, that’s the mentality I have got.”

Playing regular first team football for Argyle will only have aided the developmen­t of the former England under-19 internatio­nal.

Watts said: “It’s physically tiring in your legs but John (Lucas, Argyle’s head of fitness and conditioni­ng) is great with the recovery, game by game.

“Mentally, it’s about being ready. If you feel 100 per cent mentally there, sometimes physically it can give you that extra 10 per cent.”

While he is currently far away from his family and friends in his native north-east England, Watts feels at home in Plymouth because of the spirit within the Argyle squad.

Watts said: “It can carry you a long way. We have got that chemistry and we have got a great group of lads.

“I couldn’t have asked to come to a club and to have settled in so quickly, and feel like I have known these lads much longer than I have.”

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