Gillesphey's Oxford Reaction

Argyle’s incredible statistic of 11 clean sheets in the last 12 home fixtures is pleasing to us all, but especially to those who have played their part in protecting it.

Defender Macaulay Gillesphey did as much as anyone to keep the goals at bay once again as Argyle won 1-0 at home to Oxford United on Tuesday night at Home Park.

The scoreline means that The Pilgrims have won all four games played at their base in Sky Bet League One this season, and have beaten four decent teams into the bargain.

Speaking to Argyle TV after the game, Gillesphey spoke on how he and the squad are focused on making their home a difficult place for any visiting team.

“It was a good game,” said Macaulay. “A good performance from all the boys. A clean sheet is always a bonus, and I think we earned that as a team, from front to back.

“I think it is a hard place to come to for away teams. The pitch is big, always in good condition, and we like being at home. We’re a solid team at home.

“You’ve got to be confident, and back yourself in every game, with the team we’ve got.”

Whittaker’s goal came not long after the forward was brought on from the bench, as Argyle sought to convert their dominance into goals. Niall Ennis had a shot which was blocked, and Whittaker reacted quickly to drive home what proved to be the winner.

Gillesphey had some words of praise not only for Whittaker, but for the depth in quality the Argyle squad possesses.

He said: “Every game, if you look at the bench, the bench is always strong, and we’ve got several players still out injured to come back. Morgs is always going to make a difference if he comes on, or if he starts we will have an impact in the game.”

Another player catching the eye was Mike Cooper, but for a different reason. It was for an impressive stat of Mike’s reaching his 100th league start – and doing them consecutively, becoming the first Pilgrim to do so for 20 years.

It was not Mike’s busiest night, although he was reliable as ever when called upon.

Gillesphey, who has played in plenty of those 100 games, knows the quality of the man behind him.

He said, of Cooper: “When he is called upon he always makes a worldie save! He’s done a lot for us in the past and kept us some clean sheets. Fair to play to him, he’s a good keeper.”

Argyle play Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday, renewing an always captivating rivalry, which this time sees the team in second host the team in third in the early League One table.

Gillesphey, a man of actions rather than a man of words, had a simple sentence which in fairness, says it all.

“It’s a big game,” he said. “I can’t wait.”