Derby Incentives

ARGYLE defender Niall Canavan believes his team-mates are heading into Saturday’s Devon Derby clash with Exeter City full of confidence, and ready to secure the win that would help them leapfrog the Grecians in the Sky Bet League Two table.

Argyle have taken six points in the last four days in wins over Carlisle and Leyton Orient, which gives the squad a boost heading into the highly-anticipated clash this weekend.

“I think it’s typical that we won the two games coming into Saturday and they [Exeter] have lost their two, but I think that tees it up quite nicely,” said Canavan, who has contributed to two successive clean sheets this week.

“If we win on Saturday, we go above them so, maybe that’s that little bit extra there, but I’m sure we don’t need any of that. The boys know what it means to the fans and the club. We go there full of confidence and we will be looking to do our thing.”

Like any local rivalry in football, the Devon Derby is a high-profile occasion, and Saturday’s clash with the Grecians will be Niall’s first. It is an occasion that the former Scunthorpe defender is relishing, though, as are the rest of his Argyle comrades.

“I think people probably approach it differently, some lads like to use that as something to get them going, but I think it’s just the case of going there and doing your job to the best of your ability,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s [the occasion] anything the boys should be fazed by. It is something you should relish and it’s an opportunity to go out there and really put on a show for the pride of the shirt.

“These are the games that you want to be involved in really, as I said we have had a big week coming into this. Hopefully we get the result we want Saturday.”

Canavan believes that a win at Exeter will only enhance the Greens’ momentum, which has gathered nicely over the past few weeks. With the Pilgrims six unbeaten, having won their last two, sights are now set firmly on the promotion places in Sky Bet League Two.

“Hopefully this leads us on to a prolonged run of good results and builds us towards Christmas time and the New Year,” said Canavan. “Then the new stand will be up and running, which hopefully is all building to a really positive season for us.”