Coventry City (H) Devine's Reaction

Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Coventry City was, in some way, a little bittersweet for Alfie Devine.

The on-loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder excelled in the game, putting in his best performance in the green-and-white so far, having a hand in the build-up to both Argyle goals, scored by Morgan Whittaker and Mickel Miller respctively. However, Alfie, like his team-mates, was gutted at the injury-time goal that the Pilgrims conceded, with Liam Kitching deflecting home at the very end of the game.

“It's a very tough one to take,” said Alfie. “I think we've played so well for 95 minutes and then in the last second of the game that sort of thing happens. We've only really got ourselves to blame on the set-piece side. It's something that we do need to improve on, because it's cost us three points in the end. 

“I think we had most of the chances in the first half and the second half, and if things went our way, it'd be a much different scoreline.

"For us in the front three, maybe we need to take more of our chances. On the flip side, I think that the goals that we scored today were very good, so that's a positive to take.

“Most of our chances in the second half came from us counter-attacking them. I think that's one of our strengths that we like to use. Their chances were more shots from range. I remember one header that they had where he wasn't marked in the box, but apart from that, I didn't really think they had many clear-cut chances.

“We need to start taking more chances because if you score more goals, you win the game.”

Whittaker’s goal gave Argyle the lead ten minutes into the second half, with Devine releasing Adam Randell, who burst through to slide a pass to Whittaker to strike home.

After Ellis Simms had equalised for Coventry, Argyle scored quickly to retake the lead. As the Greens countered, Devine helped a ball on to Miller, who drove a ball across goal, which deflected past the goalkeeper.

Devine recalled the goals: “I heard a shout from Rands and I was about to play it out wide, then I had a little look over my shoulder and saw him run through. Credit to him, it was a great run and a great first touch. He then picked out Morgs in the box, who's always going to score from there.

“The second one was a clearance. It just fell to me, and Meeks (Mickel Miller) had fresh legs so I thought I'd give him the ball. Again, credit to him, putting a great ball in the box where, if the defender doesn't put it in his own net, our striker does.

“In the first half, Lino [Sousa] was getting up and down, and then when Meeks came on, he was doing the same. It's obviously very handy when you have two full-backs that can that can go up and down. It helps us, [as number] tens, a lot, because we can come inside the pitch, and we've got the option to go outside. I thought both of them did really well today.”

The game was widely considered to be Devine’s best since arriving during the transfer window, and he feels like he is hitting his stride. He also complimented the Green Army for their part in Argyle’s recent run.

“I think I'm getting into it now,” said Alfie. |I know myself, and probably, for the first three or so games, I haven't been where I know I can be.

“I thought tonight was an opportunity for me to start and show what I can do. Hopefully I did that.

“The two home games I've had, it's been brilliant support, especially for the second goal after it goes to 1-1.

“We need that boost; they are a massive credit. The away support at Sunderland and Swansea as well have been outstanding. The Swansea one was with my first proper away game in the Championship and having that support there was really special.”

Argyle are quickly back in action, facing Leeds United at Home Park on Saturday lunchtime, a game Devine is looking forward to, following two recent Emireates FA Cup ties against the Yorkshire side.

“It's a great test for us,” he said. “We've already played Leeds twice and in the two games that we've played over 90 minutes [recently], it's been a draw. Going into Saturday, we can definitely take positives from today to go in there. We need the fans even more on Saturday, against Leeds.

“I advise everyone to be loud as possible for us on Saturday.”