Match Day Preview: Plymouth Argyle v Accrington Stanley

Plymouth Argyle v Accrington Stanley

Sky Bet Football League 2, Saturday 28 September 2013 (kick-off 3pm)

Accrington Stanley have taken a single point from their eight league games so far this season and lie bottom of the table. As Argyle manager John Sheridan says:

“Everyone expects us to win. I expect us to win."

The boss told the Plymouth Argyle website: “Accrington are bottom of the league and I think it’s a game we have got to go and win and get three points from.”

After successive defeats to Wycombe and Scunthorpe, the fans will expect the Pilgrims to show their qualities and a winning mentality against the struggling Lancashire club.

This season has proved frustrating for Argyle, with the revamped squad only sporadically finding their rhythm, and a tendency for every promising win to be followed by a demoralising defeat. Despite this, John Sheridan remains optimistic and believes that the club has been strengthened sufficiently to back up its ambition:

“We are not where we would like to be, but I am very positive we will be finishing high in the table,” he said.

“So, I’ve put myself under pressure - I don’t mind that because I believe we will finish where I want us to finish.

“I’ve spoken to other managers [who say] ‘Stick to your beliefs’ so that’s what I’ll do. If I fail, I fail, but I will carry on with what I think is right. That’s what I get paid for.”

The two sides, who both struggled to avoid relegation last season, drew both 2012-13 fixtures. Argyle will be hoping for better this time.

“We have got to go out there and take the game to them, get the crowd on our side, and don’t be frightened of making mistakes," said Sheridan.

“I like them to enjoy their football, but [I tell them] ‘Go out and be courageous: if you make a mistake, don’t worry about it, get on the ball’.”