Schumacher's Exeter Reaction

A tactical triumph from Steven Schumacher and his Argyle coaching staff, including learnings from the past and present, guided Argyle to a crucial 1-0 win against Exeter City.

A 70th-minute strike from Matt Butcher, converting a clever corner routine, was enough to give Schumacher's side all three points at St James Park, returning the Greens to the top of Sky Bet League One. 

Whilst the match was low on chances, an enthralling game saw Argyle weather the expected early storm, find their footing, and turn the affair in their favour. With previous fixtures still fresh in Schumacher's memory, the boss used that experience, and the occasion, to his advantage.

"Obviously we knew it was going to be a really hard game. A Devon Derby - there isn't many bigger than this," said Schumacher. "I said from the start that this was our biggest game of the season.

"I felt as though we wanted to come back here since 2019, with what happened last time. We didn't get a chance to put that right, in that season we got promoted.

"With the last couple of results that we've had, we knew that was going to be part of Exeter's game plan - to start fast, force us into mistakes, and try to capitalise on a fast start. 

"There was a brilliant idea from the skipper. Joe came in and said: "Should we turn them around?" We learn from experience. When we came here last time, the second half was tough; they scored three goals at that end. So we said let's turn them around, quiet that crowd down.

"They had a couple of break-aways but, apart from that, overall, Callum [Burton] didn't have too much to do. The lads who had to block things, did. We got through the first period.

"After that I thought we settled down a little bit before half time, had a couple half chances ourselves, then the goal comes from a set play."

Indeed, the sole strike of the game was a set piece concocted not on the training ground, but in the dressing room at half-time, thanks to a key assessment from assistant manager Mark Hughes. Quick thinking on the pitch and sideline gave the Pilgrims the edge in a much tighter encounter than the previous Devon Derby - a 4-2 Argyle win at Home Park. 

"Credit to Hughesy: at half time, he recognised that Niall Ennis was unmarked on the keeper. Could we maybe bounce it off him and play from there?" said the manager. "We did that perfectly, so well done Mark, and Butch scores another scruffy goal, which we're delighted with. 

"In October, the state of the season is different; two teams still trying to figure each other out. The game was a bit more open, a bit more free-flowing, but this one, we knew it was going to be tight. We had to make it like that. The pitch is quite tight, which is why we picked that team. 

"Today, we've come here and put in a real team performance. I emphasise that word 'team' - I don't think there were any individuals who you could say played outstanding, but the whole team, as a group, stood up and were counted when we needed.

"It was a tough game. Exeter put us under loads of pressure. We managed to find a way to win it."

Argyle expertly saw out the final throes of the match to secure a clean sheet, a Devon Derby double, and a vital victory in their promotion push. It took a collective effort across the pitch - an important trait for a team with aspirations of winning the division.

"I felt that we were professional. We put in a team performance; a team, for a me, who looked like they could go on to win the league," said Schumacher. "You're going to have to come to places like this and win, if you want to get promoted or you want to win the league. 

"After the Lincoln game, we felt down, but it was still in our own hands. It still is, and now we've put the pressure on Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday today, and let's see what happens. 

"Credit to the players, once again, for coming back and getting all three points. It wasn't easy; credit to Exeter, we've got some good players. The two forward players in particular were so sharp.

"But we've done the business, and our fans can go home celebrating - and tonight, Devon is green."