Edwards' Grimsby Reaction

After Argyle’s 5-1 defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town, Pilgrims captain Joe Edwards accepted that the performance was below the standards he and his team-mates set for themselves.

With the Greens top of Sky Bet League One and on an unbeaten run stretching back 16 games, the heavy defeat was a bolt from the blue for everyone associated with Argyle, but as well as admitting this was a poor display, Edwards was determined to reflect on the positive qualities that they have exhibited so far this season.

“We were well below our standards that we’ve set this season,” said Edwards. “That’s the most frustrating thing. We’ve got to perform in each game.

“There’s no excuse for how we played. We needed to be a lot more resilient. We knew how they were going to play, their threats and how they press with energy. It’s a really frustrating day. That’s not how we want to play.

“We’ll have to [reflect and] carry on the run we’ve been on. You have to look yourself in the mirror when you have days like this and realise what’s got you to where you are. That’s been hard work and commitment, competing all the time. Today we didn’t do that.

“We were well short of our standards. Apologies to everyone who travelled to watch that. It wasn’t good enough.

Argyle return to league action at Lincoln City next weekend, and with injuries affecting the squad, the week ahead promises to be one where Argyle look to regroup and go again.

“It’s down to us now to turn it around,” said Joe. “We’ve got some big games coming up we need to perform in. We know it’s not going to be easy against these teams because we’re there to be got at.

“To win games, we need to compete, and we didn’t do that today.

“After a game like that you just want to play the next game. We’ve got a week now to build up to the next game, to work on a few things. Hopefully we can cover up a few bodies that are a bit sore.

“We’ve got to look forward now. It was not our day, and it is something we really need to improve on.”