Huddersfield Town (A) Foster's Reaction

Argyle Head Coach Ian Foster described the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town, in his first Sky Bet Championship game in charge, as a ‘good foundation’.

The Greens took the lead when Morgan Whittaker scored after 12 minutes, his 15th goal of the season, finishing off a slick team move to score from close range. Argyle would have been content with how the first half was progressing, until Josh Koroma scored seven minutes before the break, to level things up.

There would be no further goals, as neither team could find the killer instinct to take all three points, but with Argyle still yet to win away from home this season, Foster says that he is content enough with ensuring that Town did not gain any ground on Argyle.

There is now another week before Argyle are in action again, against Cardiff City at Home Park on Saturday. This will give Foster another full week on the training field to continue to implement what he would like to instil into his new side.

“I think we've only had four training sessions together as a group,” said Foster. “I'm really pleased with the lads in terms of the information they've taken on board this week, which there has been a lot off.

“It was important for us to have a foundation when we play away from home. There's no hiding place in terms of where we are in the table, away from home this season. We’re 23rd out of 24, which isn't great, without a win on the road.

“We asked the players to have a solid foundation and a solid structure to break from. I thought at times we did that particularly well.

“We thought we could hurt the opposition, getting it wide and getting balls into the box. That was part of the game plan, and it was really pleasing to see the boys implement that, and for it to come off. It was a great start for us and one that we thoroughly deserved.

“We're disappointed with the goal [we conceded] - we think it's a foul on Darko Gyabi - but I'm pleased with the character of the boys and the resilience of the players.

“The big thing is, we knew we'd come here and have to suffer at times. The big message to the players was ‘we suffer together’. In those moments, make sure there's that togetherness, that resilience and they battled hard for the point. We've got plenty of work to do, and we will do it, but it's a good start for us.”

Foster gave debuts to Ashley Phillips and Darko Gyabi, both of whom joined Argyle on loan this week. They each started the game and completed 90 minutes, with 18-year-old Phillips and Gyabi, 19, pleasing their manager not just with their performance, but how they have settled in.

“They were excellent, both of them,” said Foster. “They fit in the group incredibly well, and that's credit to the other boys. We've welcomed them.

“I don't look at birth certificates when I pick teams. They're both teenagers coming into what is a very, very difficult game and I thought they both handled it really, really well.

“Ashley was solid throughout the game. I thought his in-possession game was good, and we've seen with Darko what he's capable of. He's full of energy. He wants to get on the ball, play forward and break lines.

“Those boys aren't quite there in terms of match intensity at this level, so that's great for them to get 90-plus minutes in the legs. They'll be stronger for it next week.”

The game at Huddersfield was Foster’s first experience of the Green Army on the road, and as 1,400 supporters in the away end made their voices heard throughout, especially in the second half, the head coach expressed his appreciation for their backing.

“They were terrific,” he said. “[They are] really intelligent fans because they recognised when we needed them. When we needed a boost, when the players needed a lift, they really got behind them.

“Those moments when we suffer, we speak about the players sticking together, but we need the supporters as well, and they were excellent and played their part today.”