Schumacher's Cheltenham Reaction

After a three-game week on the road, Argyle returned to Home Park to face Cheltenham Town, solidifying their position on top of Sky Bet League One with a 4-2 victory.

Goals from Dan Scarr and Ryan Hardie put the Greens 2-0 up, although Taylor Perry pulled one back before half-time. Former Cheltenham loanee Callum Wright made it 3-1, latching onto a pass from another ex-Town man Finn Azaz, and although Alfie May reduced the deficit again, a goal from substitute Sam Cosgrove put the game beyond doubt.

The victory followed draws at Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town, which sandwiched a win at Bristol Rovers that advanced Argyle to the final four of the Papas Johns Trophy.

The win over Cheltenham kept Argyle three points ahead of Sheffield Wednesday and ten in front of Ipswich, both of whom have a game in hand, and manager Steven Schumacher said the Robins victory was vital to enhance the spoils of the previous week.

“We worked so hard last week,” he said. “We had two really hard away games in the league, at Bolton and Ipswich, and got into a semi-final, travelling so many miles. We knew how much it took out of everybody, so it was important that we had a good clean week this week. We got everybody on the training pitch; we had loads of players out there, which I was made up with.

“We said that last week was really good, but we had to back it up with three points. That sets us up and puts us in a great position.”

Saturday’s win was far from straightforward though. While Argyle were good value for their 2-0 lead, Cheltenham continued to fight back, and while the Pilgrims played some sparkling attacking football at times, their visitors always looked a threat.

“It definitely wasn’t easy,” said Schumacher. “It didn’t feel easy, especially conceding the goals we did when we felt comfortable in the game at 2-0 and 3-1. The next minute, it’s panic stations because with one goal in it it could go either way.

“We highlighted, when the played Cheltenham last time, about how close all their games are and how honest they are as a team. They work hard for each other and for their manager. You never get an easy game off Cheltenham, they force you into mistakes they are always trying to press, they are organised and have good players.

“Credit to them, they gave us a good game, but we showed enough quality in the end to win the game.”

Schumacher gave a full debut to Tyreik Wright, who played as a left wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation, as well as home bows for Jay Matete and Callum Wright. Ben Waine also got his first Home Park action as a second-half substitute, coming on along with Matt Butcher, Sam Cosgrove and Joe Edwards, as Argyle saw out the game.

“I felt ‘let’s go super-attacking today’,” said Schumacher. “We played Tyreik on one wing and Bali on the other. There’s some pace there. In the first minute, Tyreik put the after burners on and went past Broomy, who we know is no slouch.

“I thought everyone did well. All the substitutes come on and were brilliant. Joe Edwards settled us down; Sam Cosgrove came on and was good, won a few free kicks. It was another brilliant finish from him. He’s the best finisher at the club.

“We were positive, and we thought if we go that way and we try to get an early goal the game opens up, which we need it to do. We managed to get two early goals, which were very good goals. A brilliant ball from Jordan and a brilliant finish from Scarrsy. Finn Azaz with a lovely pass and a great finish from Ryan.

“It felt like the game plan was working, and then we switched off a little bit after the second goal and got a bit sloppy. It allowed them back into the game which I wasn’t pleased about at half-time.

“It wasn’t a grind, where we just found a way to win. We could have scored a few more goals, and we caused ourselves a few problems being sloppy, but we played some really good football. Some of our attacking moves in particular were brilliant.”