Edwards on Peterborough Victory

There is not a single player – for either Argyle or Peterborough United – that would not have had to work hard in the searing sun during Saturday’s game at Home Park, which The Pilgrims won 2-0.

However, when you are the Argyle captain, at home, playing wing-back you probably have to exert more than others. Step forward Joe Edwards, for whom this was just another Saturday at the day job.

Or so he made it look. The skipper put in an exceptional performance, using all of his using energy, work-rate and no little skill. Even he, though, felt the heat on a fiercely sunny afternoon.

“It felt very hot at times,” said Joe, after the game. “It’s definitely the hottest game I have ever played in. You couldn’t catch your breath. You did a run and your legs felt it.

“Playing like we did today gives you added energy. The crowd give you energy, and we made it harder for Peterborough than it was for us.

“Everyone performed to their peak today. That’s what we need in every game. That’s the standard we set. When we do that, we always come out on top. We have to build on this, but everyone to a man was fantastic today.

“Part of my role and responsibility is not just talking, but leading by example on the pitch as well. If I do that, I hope the boys will follow with me. Today, I thought everyone was fantastic, it was a brilliant day.”

Peterborough headed to Home Park with a 100% record this season, which included a win over The Greens in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Wing-back Joe and the players learned their lessons from that game, even it did feature many different players on both sides.

Joe said: “It’s a great win. They were top, they are a good side, just come down from the Championship, and have good players. But we know on our day we can beat anyone in this league.

“We knew they were going to press us, they did it in the week, so we needed to get behind and stretch the game. That gives our 10s a bit more space on the ball. Bali [Mumba] on the other side, was a different level. He gives us that enthusiasm. When we are at it like that, we are hard to play against.”

This was Argyle’s second home game of the Sky Bet League One season, and not only a second win, but a second clean sheet for the whole defensive unit to savour.

“We’ve set targets for that this year,” said Joe. “We’ve got two at home, so we’re off to a good start with that. We know clean sheets are massive in this league. We’ve got the best keeper in the league, so we know if we are do our job, we’ll do quite well.”