Coventry City (H) Foster's Reaction

When Argyle Head Coach Ian Foster faced the press and the scrutiny of camera lenses in his post-match media duties, less than half an hour after the conclusion of the 2-2 draw against Coventry City, he was remarkably, and admirably, calm.

He had just seen his side concede a 96th-minute equaliser to a Sky Blues team that had, frankly, been second best throughout the second half, with Argyle impressively taking the game to play-off chasing City. 

The game was goalless and closely fought at the interval, with Coventry possibly edging it, but after the break Argyle stepped firmly on the front foot, and led via Morgan Whittaker’s goal on 55 minutes.

Coventry equalised through Ellis Simms, but Argyle deservedly regained the lead when livewire substitute Mickel Miller’s drive across goal was deflected in, and it seemed that Argyle would claim three points against their in-form rivals, but for a scrambled goal in the dying seconds, when Liam Kitching appeared to get the final touch on a near-post free-kick.

“I don't want to reflect on one moment of the game where we've defended poorly,” said Foster. “Across the 97 minutes of the game, we've done incredibly well.

“They're an excellent team; I thought we limited them to very few opportunities. I thought we defended resolutely. They're always going to cause you problems because they've got so many good players, but I thought we limited them to very few opportunities.

“I thought we carried a big threat going the other way as well. Of course, we're disappointed in the manner in which we've drawn the game, but in terms of the overall performance, I'm proud of them. 

“[Coventry] have got so much quality. I think they'll be a team that'll be in the top six at the end of the season; I'd be very surprised if they're not. We've taken them to a hair’s breadth of getting three points.

“The boys did everything I asked of them in the second half. I asked the players to be brave in possession. We train in a certain way, and we want them to reflect what we do on the on the training pitch in the games. In order to do that, they've got to be brave.

“They're talented enough; they're technically good enough; they've got the tactical understanding. We just need that bravery, that courage to get on the ball in tight areas when you're under pressure and find a way of getting out.

“We wanted to be a little bit more fluid in terms of getting through the pitch, I thought we linked it better, particularly our number tens. I thought Alfie [Devine] and Morgan were excellent finding those pockets in between the lines and in the half spaces.

“We've got to be brave to get them on the ball. Both can handle it; both can receive opposed on the half turn and play forward. There were wonderful opportunities for us in the second half; we've took two of them. 

“I'm sure when we look back and we review the game, we'll probably be even more desperately disappointed that we haven't got all three points.

“Credit to the players, they deserved all three, but you don't always get what you deserve in football, unfortunately.”

There is little rest for Foster and his men. Following a Wednesday fixture, they are in action again on Saturday lunchtime, facing Leeds United at Home Park, before another home game, this time against West Bromwich Albion, on Tuesday night.

Argyle will look to rest their legs, take the positives from how well they played against Coventry, and analyse the threats of a Leeds side that the Greens have played twice in the last three weeks.

“We turn our attention to Leeds on Thursday afternoon,” said Foster. “We'll review this game with the players when they come in. We'll do our recovery session, and we'll turn our attention to Leeds and what will be another thrilling game.

“They're an excellent side as they’ve shown time and time again this season. I think tonight and tomorrow we need to just assess the game that we've just played in, improve the bits that we need to and then look ahead to Saturday.”