Nothing for Granted

The Pilgrims’ manager has told his players that they should not take their place in the team for granted following Argyle’s 2-1 home win over Mansfield Town, for which he made four changes to the starting line-up.

“I hope no-one thinks they are comfortable in their position and that I won’t leave anyone out,” he said, after the game. “I’m not frightened of leaving anyone out. I’ve just said that one or two need to buck their ideas up, because I’m not frightened of changing the team at all, no matter who it is.”

For the match-up with the Stags, John recalled Anthony O’Connor, who scored the Pilgrims’ opener inside two minutes and had a say in their second midway through the second half, in place of suspended skipper Curtis Nelson.

He also promoted Kelvin Mellor, Olly Lee and Lewi Alessandra from the substitutes’ bench in place of Gethin Jones, Jason Banton and Zak Ansah. 

“We play the same system and I feel as though everyone knows how we are trying to play,” said John. “Kelvin has been excellent for me this season in that 3-5-2, but has possibly gone off his game a little bit because he was absolutely flying when he first came; he was unbelievable.

“Olly Lee has been scoring goals all week in training; if you play Zak and Jason, there’s probably more of an attacking threat, but I felt we should have a bit more balance to our team and I think it worked alright.

“Young Gethin is a really good player and a really good trainer and, when he comes on, he is really bright.”