Schumacher's Lincoln Reaction

Steven Schumacher pointed towards conceding the first goal of the game as a key factor as Argyle lost 2-0 at home to Lincoln City.

It was only the Pilgrims’ second loss at home all season, and came via a first-half goal by Olamide Shodipo, followed by a second early in the second period from Ben House.

Three days previously, Argyle had let in the first goal and turned things around to win 3-1 at Morecambe, but were unable to repeat the trick against a resolute and organised Lincoln side.

“I’m disappointed with the result,” said Schuamcher. “I thought for 20 minutes, we started the game quite well. We were on the front foot and looked the better team. We created a couple of good chances and should have taken the lead.

“We thought the first goal was always going to be crucial in this game cause of the way Lincoln play, how they defend. They are really well organised.

“Getting the first goal is crucial in any game, in any stage of the season. If you get the first goal and the game changes, Lincoln have got to come out. Whereas, when they get the first goal, they're one of the best teams in the division at defending leads.

“It was always going to be hard. Their shape is really well organised. They go deep, so there's no space really to run in behind and then the intercept if you make a mistake. We made too many of them and they counter-attack with pace at the top.

“They're a good team and we've been beaten by the better team today.”

Results elsewhere means that Sheffield Wednesday have returned to the top of Sky Bet League One, a point above Argyle and two above Ipswich Town, with both the chasing sides possessing a game in hand on the Owls.

Everything remains in Argyle hands, and Schumacher is expecting plenty more ups and downs before the season reaches its conclusion.

The Greens are back in action on Saturday with a Devon Derby against Exeter City to contend with.

“I keep saying, there’s going to be twists and turns,” said Schumacher. “All the teams are going to have issues in the run-in, but we don't want it to happen too many times. We want to try and play with confidence if we can. We understand there's going to be times you're going to have to dig in and show some experience.

“We’re going to need our senior players to calm everyone down. It's hard when you're on the sidelines trying to influence things. We’re going to need to stick together and try and find the way through, because it won't be easy in the next six games either.

“The lads are a good group. They don't mean to put bad performances in. Everyone's disappointed with the result, now we've got to try to put it right – and there's no better game than the one that's coming up on Saturday to try and do that.

“We’ll rest, recover, and get ready to go and beat Exeter if we can on Saturday.”