Lowry previews U18s' Orient visit

Argyle Under-18s travel to London this weekend to face a physical Leyton Orient side in the Youth Alliance League South.

After securing three points in the final minutes last Saturday against Forest Green Rovers, thanks to a Frankie Maund header, the Pilgrims will look to win back-to-back games to kick-start an important run-in to the end of the season. 

Head Coach Jamie Lowry is aware of the physical and gritty affair that will ensue on Saturday, but knows that Argyle’s quality can shine through and help them thrive in, potentially, tough conditions.

“I’m looking forward to it off the back of last week's victory against Forest Green,” Lowry told Argyle TV. “It's something to go and build on, but it will be difficult. They’re just below us in the league table, so we're looking to build a bit of a gap between us and them but mainly looking to build on the performance from last Saturday. 

“We’ve watched previous games, and the pitch isn’t a Harpers Park or Home Park [surface], it’s a difficult pitch to play on, so, it will be a first and second-ball game. It'll be about winning battles and duals, tackling, bounces, [there will be] mistakes happening. It’s really important that we have that side of the game and then, as I alluded to last week, if we get that right, our little bits of quality and our ability in the team will win us the game.

“[We need to do] the ugly side of the game well, - what we asked for last week that we probably lacked at Portsmouth. Winning 1v1 battles, the intensity to go and press and win the ball back and not just get up to it, winning headers, landing on second balls, making tackles and blocks, and then, when you're in possession, I think that's where we can show our quality.

“We can get on the ball and play with the press if we need to, play into the front players if we need to and then go and build in-and-around the final third with the quality that we have.

“[The squad] will be similar to what we've been having in the recent weeks because of where we are in terms of injuries and fit players. However, what an opportunity it is for those lads to keep building minutes, especially the Under-16s who have done really well.

“They can keep building minutes and be ready and stake a claim for their shirt moving into next season with good performances. Then, first and second years need to keep building momentum and performing as well.”