Millwall (A) | Nancekivell's Reaction
The agony of watching Millwall captain Jake Cooper lob a header over Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper’s arm was one that seemed to compound itself throughout the goal.
In a microcosm, Argyle simply did not deserve their fate. Cooper’s header, in the 83rd minute, was the only goal of a game of few chances, but the tightness of the game was by design.
Millwall came into the game on three successive wins and, having secured their own safety, clearly wanted to sign off for the season in their own manor, in the right manner.
To that end, Argyle made themselves compact, defended balls into the box, and often used that as a springboard to counter-attack, and force numerous corners. The game looked set for a creditable point away from home for the Pilgrims, before the goal changed everything.
“I thought it was a competitive game,” said first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell. “I thought we were very much within the game all the time; we’re devastated to lose it like we did. I didn't think we deserved that.
“I thought the lads’ application and attitude was spot on all the way through. I thought we defended really strongly. Our running stats are great. We just probably needed a little bit more in the final third to get us that goal.
“Millwall were a threat with their set plays and their direct play. We responded to that really well. We were fine, we were really pleased. We dealt with the first 20 minutes, which we knew they'd have a strong period. After that, we had one or two chances of our own; we came into the game. We knew that would be the case in the second half, and I think that we had one or two chances going forward.
“Unfortunately, they've got the goal and we haven't. We have to take our medicine now and get on with it.”
On a broader scale, it was a goal and a defeat that took a point away from the potential tally, as Argyle look to squeeze everything they can out of this Sky Bet Championship season. Some 200 miles north of Millwall’s Bermondsey home, Huddersfield Town’s 1-1 with Birmingham City created a scenario that is reasonably simple as far as Argyle are concerned.
Barring a 15-goal turnaround by Huddersfield, Argyle’s sole target is to match or better Birmingham City’s result next week. The Blues play Norwich at home, Argyle play host to Hull City.
The stage is set.
“It's in our hands, which is a massive positive to cling on to,” said Nancekivell. “We control our own fate rather than relying on other people, so that's good. We know what we've got to do.
“I'm expecting a full house, and a really loud and crazy Argyle performance from the supporters - as we always get. Hopefully we can respond with a performance.
“We've had a couple of these conversations just lately, either me or Charlie with you, and having these conversations about the Green Army.
“We keep asking of our supporters, don't we? So, I apologise for that, but again, I know what they'll bring. They hopefully know what we're all about. We will give everything we can. I don't need to ask them to come and be loud, because I know they will. They've carried this football club across the line in many situations that have been worse than this, and I know that they'll do the same again on Saturday.”
