Hull City (H) | Dewsnip & Nancekivell's Preview
If it feels like the whole of the 2023/24 season has been building towards Saturday’s final game of the season, against Hull City – it is probably because it has.
With 45 games played, Argyle head into the 46th and final encounter of the Sky Bet Championship season playing for their right to stay in the division. The setup is fairly straightforward. The Greens must match or better the result of Birmingham City, who will be playing Norwich City at the same time, in order to keep their heads above the dreaded dotted line.
For Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell, who stepped into the vacant manager’s seat(s) with six games remaining, this will be their final match in charge.
“I’m cautiously optimistic, because preparation is going well,” said Dewsnip.
“One or two players that we were concerned about in terms of illness and injury look as though they could be available. I think we're in a place that we're comfortable with.
“Our preparation has got to be absolutely spot on. It's going really well so far. Come 12.30pm on Saturday, hopefully we'll be absolutely ready to achieve that goal of winning the game.
“The aim of the whole season, from minute one, has been to stay in the Championship. I know it's got pretty close, to the last game, but we've got a chance of staying in the Championship.
“We've not been in the relegation places all season. Our goal on Saturday is to make sure that we're still not, and the best way of doing that is to prepare well and to win the game.
“If we win the game on Saturday, nothing else matters, so that's what we'll be trying to do.”
“There's a little bit of nerves there; I'd be lying if I said there wasn't,” said Nancekivell, “but we’re confident, excited, and ready to go.”
“I don't think you can block it out completely, because everyone's aware of all the scenarios that need to happen. We have to try to just concentrate on what we're doing. We're busy enough trying to prepare the team for our game, so we'll continue to do that.
“If we look after our own business and do the job as we want, then everything else is irrelevant.
“One of the worst things for a footballer is to have [a relegation] on your CV. To go through everything we've gone through this season, and to not be successful in our aim of staying in the league, would be devastating for everybody.
“[The players are] desperate, they're aware of the situation, but they're also really focused. It's not just an emotional charge; it's going to be a little bit more calculated. They're desperately keen to stay in the Championship.
“There will probably be two points to it. One will be stick to the game plan that Neil's alluded to already; to make sure we do as we say we want to. And then to make sure that you play with pride and passion for everybody who's supporting us, because we owe them that.
“The players are aware of that. You have to have a tactical nous about you as well, but you have to play with your heart. We have to run harder and jump harder than any of our opponents.
“I'm sure the lads will be ready to do that for us.”
“The crowd will be amazing,” added Dewsnip. “If it's anything like Leicester City, I wouldn't like to be playing against us.
“It’s really important that we all stick together. There might be times in the game when it's very difficult - we'll need them even more. Hopefully there's more times when they can enjoy it and scream even louder. Our players and us, the staff, we all need to be brave. We can't be fearful of our situation on Saturday.
“It needs bravery, it needs commitment, and it needs a lot of intelligence as well. We'll be ready for that on Saturday, and hopefully it's going to go really well for us.”
