Mayor's Bolton Preview

Midfielder Danny Mayor believes that Argyle’s points haul so far is satisfactory – but it does not mean he is entirely satisfied.

The Pilgrims have three wins from their opening five games in Sky Bet League One, earning maximum points against Barnsley, Peterborough United and, most recently, Forest Green Rovers. These victories have been interspersed with defeats to Fleetwood Town, where Argyle lost to a very late goal, and Charlton Athletic, in which The Greens went down 5-1 following James Wilson’s sending off.

“If you looked at our fixtures and said we’d get nine points from the first five games, you would probably take it,” said Danny. “It’s disappointing because of the scoreline at Charlton, and at Fleetwood we didn’t play well, but probably deserved a draw. It’s been an up and down start, but a lot of positives to take.”

One such positive has been the form of Finn Azaz, who has scored the opening goal in all three of Argyle’s wins. Azaz, on loan from Aston Villa, has played in one of two positions in Argyle’s attack that play in support of a main striker. The other of those so-called ‘number 10’ positions is occupied by Mayor, who has warmly welcomed the addition of Azaz.

“He’s really intelligent,” said Danny, of Finn. “He’s really clever, and is easy to find. He picks up good positions and is a great finisher. Three goals is an unbelievable start. He’s hit the ground running. Long may it continue, so we can keep climbing the table.  

“I enjoy [the formation]. I’m playing a bit higher up, so I don’t have get too involved with getting it off the centre-backs! It’s a good formation. When we play it well, we play it really well, like against Peterborough, and at Forest Green. We’re still learning it, which has its pitfalls at times. Charlton played really well against us.

“We have two number 10s. Most teams play with one number 4 now, so it is hard to mark both of us. To be honest, I don’t mind who I am playing with as long as we are winning.

“It’s been a good start to the season. I’ve got a couple of assists, hopefully it keeps going. It’s a tough game Saturday, but we had a good performance last Saturday, a good win to take us into this week.”

This weekend sees Argyle host Bolton Wanderers at Home Park. Ian Evatt’s side’s opening quintet of games has yielded eight points, and there is little doubt that despite some troubled years for The Trotters, they feel like a big side in this division, and have their eyes fixed on a Championship return.

As, though, do Argyle, and Danny is convinced that no side in League One should cause Argyle to cower.

“They are a big club,” he said. “They’ve made a few signings. They are a good passing side, they want to play the right way. But I think we can match anyone in this league if we go for it at home.

“As long as we are on the front foot and attacking teams, we’ll give anyone a game.”