Taking Pride

...he is not likely to tolerate a second successive below-par workplace display as the Pilgrims set off down Wembley way for the second time in a week.

The home 2-0 defeat by Carlisle in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup was as shocking for its rarity value – it was only Argyle’s fifth defeat in their 20 matches this season – as it was for an all round under-performance by individuals and as a collective.

The Pilgrims get back on the bike against League 1 Millwall at Home Park on Tuesday evening, aiming to reach the area semi-finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy for the first time. Having been knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Millwall’s divisional rivals Gillingham earlier in the season, it represents their last chance of cup success.

“When you look at the season – how well we have played over the season – you’re due an off game,” said Derek. 

“You are always going to get ups and downs through the season and we’ve had an excellent season so far and can’t take away from what the players have done. [Football]’s like any occupation – one day, you’re not going to go in and do your job very well. That’s the way it goes.

“We’ve got a difficult game against Millwall. They’re a league above us and they’re in the top half of the table. They will be a tough test, the same as Gillingham – they were at the top of their division as well. 

“We will have to be at a high standard to win the game. Millwall are obvious favorites for the game and we’ll have to be at our utmost best to beat them. 

“It will be a different game from Saturday. Millwall like to play about the ball; there will be more space than there was against Carlisle. They have got a good bit of mix of youth and experience on their team. 

“They have experience up front with Steve Morison; they have got [Lee] Gregory as well; they have [Aiden] O’Brien, who has scored a number of goals so far this season; and they have been a threat on set-plays. So we have got to be careful of the players that they’ve got on their team.”