Schumacher's Fleetwood Reaction

Argyle’s 0-0 draw with Fleetwood Town forced Argyle manager Steven Schumacher into saying the F word.

Frustrating.

There was no other word, really, for a game in which Argyle dominated a first half, had numerous chances to take the lead, but just could not find a way through.

After the break, Argyle stayed on the front foot, but were worn down by an organised and persistent Fleetwood team, who earned their point on the road.

Argyle’s point means that they have accumulated seven points from a possible nine in the last eight days, this draw added onto 3-1 wins against Portsmouth and Oxford United.

“Frustrating,” underlined Schumacher. “I thought we played really well, especially in the first half, the way we passed the ball. The energy that we played with forced Fleetwood into a few mistakes. We created three or four really big chances. If we showed a bit more quality and took one of our chances, then the game's different.

“Credit to Fleetwood, they dug in, stuck in there and defended well. I felt everything that we threw at them, they blocked or the keeper made a save.

“We wanted to try to play at a good speed and a good tempo early on in the game because, it's a tough place to come and if we get our crowd right behind us – I thought the crowd were brilliant today - it’s hard to play against us.

“It just wasn't our day in front of goal. We've had loads of possession, loads of shots, but not enough on target, which probably tells the story.

“Fleetwood are no mugs, especially away from home. Five of their eight wins in the league this year have come away from home. They drew with Ipswich. They came here organised and make it hard for you.

“They defended really well, put bodies on the line and did a good job. It happens.

“If someone had said to me, at the start of last week, you’ll take seven points in the game week, I’d have taken it. It's not the end of the world. We’re not going to win every single game. We know that. We move on to the next one.”

A big positive from the game was an appearance from the bench by Niall Ennis, who had missed the previous four games with injury.

Ennis was one of five substitutes brought on to effect change in the pattern of play, and between him and fellow sub Bali Mumba, they were at the heart of probably Argyle’s best two efforts in the second period.

Schumacher said: “[Niall] probably should have hit the target with the one that was on his left foot. If he had hit the target, that goes in because the goalkeeper was rooted.

“It was nice to have him back. He’s been missing for a month, he trained for the last couple of days and looked sharp.

“Twenty minutes is probably enough for him today, and we’ll try to get him some more minutes, hopefully on Tuesday. It is good to have him back.

“Everybody who started did well in the game. Tyreik [Wright] did well. The impact that we usually get from the subs probably wasn't as dramatic today. We didn't get that energy, that spark and that little bit of quality that we've seen so many times, although Bali [Mumba] nearly scored another worldie.”

A crowd of 16,108 watched the game inside Home Park. Subtracting Fleetwood’s contingent of 107, this means the Green Army totalled 16,001, and they tried to play their part, especially in the second period, roaring on their players to look for the winning goal.

That goal did not come, but it was through no lack of effort. Schumacher expressed his appreciation for the fans’ support, and said that the commitment on display made soften any disappointment at the result.

“They are brilliant and they stuck with us to clap the players off,” said Schumacher. “Some people will comment and say the odd negative thing, cause that's what some people do. In the main, everyone can see that the lads tried, gave 100% today.

“The fans stuck with us, so thanks for that. I'm sure if we play as well as that again here, then we've got enough firepower in the squad to score the goals and take the chances that we create.”