Plymouth boss Derek Adams fully focused on play-offs

Posted Sunday, March 18, 2018 by PA

Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams kept his sights firmly fixed on the League One play-offs following a thrilling 3-2 Westcountry derby home win over Bristol Rovers.

“I thought it was an excellent game: two very good teams, end to end, five goals, two penalties and one penalty save,” said Adams.

Graham Carey’s 85th-minute penalty clinched Argyle’s seventh win in eight unbeaten league games as the greens soared back to sixth.

Chris Lines 12th-minute free-kick opener was cancelled out by man of the match Jamie Ness’ headed leveller.

Ellis Harrison restored Rovers lead before Sam Slocombe saved a 47th-minute Ruben Lameiras spot-kick. A minute later a Ness cross was deflected to his own goal by Olllie Clarke.

Adams added: “We gave away a free-kick, which was disappointing and they scored from it.

“Then we got ourselves back into the game with a good goal. But we gave the ball away again – and they went 2-1 up.

“We were 2-1 down at half-time and had to change it around.

“We started the second half really well, won the penalty, and it was saved.

“Then Jamie Ness gets a deflected goal. He was man of the match by a country mile. He had a calf injury on Wednesday but you wouldn’t have known it today. He was superb.

“Then Graham Carey gets the penalty at the end there and that wins the match.

“Graham is very good in these situations – and he had to wait a long time because Yann (Songo’o) was on the floor after being fouled.

“I thought both penalties were stonewall.

“We have got nine games to go and we are catching the teams above us. We have got ourselves to 57 points and we just want to enjoy the final nine games.

“When I came to the club if we went a goal behind we wouldn’t win games. We needed to change the mentality, and we have done that.”

Rovers boss Darrell Clarke said: “I am pig sick. I thought the performance warranted a lot more. Plymouth are a very good team and we are a very good team. It was a good advertisement for League One football.

“You have got to make the big calls right. I am not going to say anymore. People can watch both pens.

“We played some really good football. The game plan worked well. We attacked well.

“We are playing very well. We can play our football especially when we come to a good pitch like Plymouth.

“If you score two goals away from home, you should be coming away with one point if not three.

“We were creating chances all the way through the game.

“Great penalty save for a penalty that was not a penalty.

“It was a crucial match today but you need the big calls in the big games.

“We need to keep going, we are improving as a team as a squad.

“We’ve got another big game again at Peterborough next week and that’s what we have got to look forward to. As I say we are getting better, so we keep going.”