Sutton United (H) Dewsnip's Preview

Argyle take their first step into this season’s Emirates FA Cup when they take on Sutton United at Home Park on Saturday afternoon.

Sutton are 23rd in Sky Bet League Two coming into this game and, in echoes of the course of events in PL2 over the last few weeks, find themselves without a permanent manager, after Matt Gray’s dismissal in December.

Former assistant boss Jason Goodliffe has stepped in as caretaker, to keep the continuity for Sutton. Argyle Director of Football Neil Dewsnip believes that Sutton’s league position counts for little, as they will be out to prove their worth as they come to Argyle to face a team two divisions above them.

“I'm sure they'll run a little bit harder, a little bit further,” said Dewsnip. “They'll make challenges that maybe they don't on a regular Saturday afternoon. We're expecting a really, really tough game. They have an awkward style. We know we'll have our hands full.

“I'm sure they'll be trying to impress whoever is about to come in at Sutton’s end. I know our players will be very strongly trying to do the same.”

The FA Cup tie comes five days after Argyle’s most recent Sky Bet Championship, a thrilling 3-3 draw with Watford. Dewsnip says that the exertions of the festive period will be taken into account when selecting a side to face Sutton, but insists that Argyle will continue to take the FA Cup seriously, in order to advance.

“I think every football fan gets excited about the FA Cup,” he said. “The third round is amazing from the draw, where everybody either watches it live on TV, or listens to the radio. It’s really exciting.

“Plymouth Argyle need to advance as far as we can in the FA Cup. It's a massive game for us. 

“We're in the middle of a very, very important league campaign. We want to do as well as we can in that, so we don't want to compromise that, but equally, we want to get through to the next round of the FA Cup. You've got to find a team selection that ticks all the boxes.”