Pete Shuttleworth previews Carabao Cup second round

On Tuesday night, Argyle revert their focus to the Carabao Cup, for a second-round tie against Watford. Assistant Head Coach Pete Shuttleworth says that it is important to try to keep the momentum going, after a positive two weeks.  

The Greens began the season with a 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, in which they played poorly, but they reacted to win 3-0 in the Carabao Cup’s opening round, against Cheltenham Town, before a competitive game saw a 1-1 draw with Hull City at Home Park in the Sky Bet Championship.  

On Saturday, again in league action, Argyle played Queens Park Rangers, and had just equalised in a game they were taking charge of, when Adam Forshaw was sent off, and they had to play over an hour with 10 men. The remaining Pilgrims put in a hugely spirited performance, and held on for a 1-1 draw.  

Shuttleworth says changes to the squad will be made for the trip to Watford, who have won every game they have played so far this season. Some of those switches will be to preserve those who had a hard game at MATRADE Loftus Road, but some will also be to give other members of the squad a chance to shine.  

“I don't think I've recovered from the weekend yet and I'm sure the supporters haven't either,” said Pete. “We'll dust ourselves down, get ready today (Monday) and then get on the road again and go back up to Watford for the game. 

“It's always hard with 10 players. The work the lads put into to secure that point was huge, so we have to see what they're like today. There'll be a few changes, like we made in the [Cheltenham] game, because we've got a good squad here now, and I think it's important that we utilise the squad.  

“There'll be fresh lads coming in. There'll be lads who think they should be in the team, or really fighting hard to get in the team and be part of it. Some of them will get a chance, and I'm sure they'll bring an extra energy to it, and we'll be ready to go. 

“We've had a really positive three games: Cheltenham, then the really positive result against Hull and then a slightly different performance where we had to dig in and get a point that felt successful at the weekend. Even though we didn't win the game, it felt like it was a success with 10 men for so long to come away with a point there. 

“The gaffer wants to win every game of football. He wants to win every small-sided game, even when he joins in in training. That's his mentality so, of course, we want to keep the momentum going after the first game of the season, which we’ve hopefully put to bed. 

“I think we've seen a lot of the things we've tried to get into them from day one in pre-season. We don't need to keep going on about the first game, but it was a real surprise to us all because the lads are a brilliant group. There's a great culture that has been developed here over the years, and we've added good lads and good quality into that.  

“We've seen them try to be brave on the ball. We're trying to become a possession-based team who are comfortable playing in tight areas. I think we saw a lot of that in the game on Saturday, before the red card.  

“Our patterns were there for everyone to see, and I think it was a goal that we deserved to get at the time.  

“Every team that a manager puts out has to represent them, represent us as coaches and the fanbase as well. I think what we saw at the weekend, and what we've seen in the Hull game, is a fire, a determination of togetherness, and I think if we're going to do anything, that has to be a basic requirement of every player who pulls on a green shirt this year.”