Hull City (H) | Dewsnip & Nancekivell's Reaction
Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell, speaking in the aftermath of Argyle’s 1-0 win against Hull City, selected two pertinent adjectives to describe their feelings at the Greens’ survival in the Sky Bet Championship.
“I’m drained,” said Dewsnip, “but incredibly proud of everybody at the football club in so many different ways.
“I'm made up for [Nance], because it could have been the end of a beautiful friendship! But it looks like we survived that ordeal. Just really pleased for everybody.”
“I’m bursting with pride,” added Nancekivell. “Everybody involved with the football club brought their A-game to the table: supporters, the players, staff, every member of staff, and that's not just football staff. It was just a day that you hoped would happen - and it did.
“The lads were spot on. They executed the game plan to a T. They ran until they had no more running in their legs, they scored a fantastic goal and defended really well against a good team. The sun was shining, the crowd was singing; everyone's in a really good place.
“I'm just so pleased for everybody.”
There were a huge number of different permutations heading into the game, regarding various relegation-threatened sides trying to keep their heads above the dotted line, but ultimately Argyle’s best method of staying up was to win the match, and not have to worry about things going on at other grounds.
Joe Edwards’ header in the 40th minute, a perfectly timed leap to nod home a cross from Callum Wright, ended up being the difference between the sides. Wright was a first-half substitute for the injured Mustapha Bundu and ended up playing a major part in the game.
“Callum Wright comes on the pitch - that wasn't planned – and he creates the goal,” said Dewsnip. “He'd have been upset that he wasn't starting, of course, but he comes on and he makes a huge contribution. Joe jumped higher than I've ever seen him jump before.
“We're really, really proud of all of them, a whole team effort.
“I don't think the players have thought about the pressure. We've not talked about that all week, really, but what the pressure would be was obviously to perform and to win - and we've done that.
“A second goal in the first half would have been really nice, and then we've defended for large chunks of the second half. Defending's allowed, you know. It's an art, and today we've done really well.
“Occasionally you need your goalkeeper to step up and make a good save. The save that Michael made in the second half early on went right over the far side. We're delighted for Michael, but all the team, everybody.”
The win, and survival, means Argyle will be in the Championship next season as a new television deal kicks in, with financial rewards on top of the huge step in football terms.
For last season’s League One champions, who have endured changes of management and losses of key players during the season, to stay up is an achievement not to be underplayed.
“It is massive,” said Nancekivell. “We've had an upheaval this season where we've lost managers. It's been changes at Christmas, change again in April, so it's not been straightforward.
“In tough times, you find out who stands with you, who stands up and is strong. The football club stood up in tough times, and we've come through that. It's a massive achievement for lots of reasons.
“People don't see sometimes what goes on behind the scenes and how much effort does go in - and that's not just on the football side.
“I'm pleased for everybody. I'm really pleased for the supporters. We're a Championship football club next season, and we can look forward to that.”
Dewsnip added: “If you go back 12 months, we were so proud, as a club, to get over 100 points in League One. This is a different kind of achievement. We don't want to be fighting off relegation every season, that's for sure, but in the circumstances and the context of this season, this achievement is every bit as big to the football club as last year's was.
“Not better, just immense.”
