Plymouth boss Lowe hails squad unity after victory over Crewe



Posted Sunday, August 04, 2019 by PA

Plymouth boss Lowe hails squad unity after victory over Crewe

Ryan Lowe marked his first game in charge of Plymouth with a emphatic win at one of his former clubs.

Tasked with the job of securing Argyle’s swift return to League One, Lowe says the raft of former Bury players he had under his charge at Gigg Lane have helped to boost the spirit in the camp as well as his own close involvement with the squad.

One of those ex-Shakers, defender Callum McFadzean, got Plymouth off to a great start with a terrific volley which flew into the top corner of Will Jaaskelainen’s goal. McFadzean sealed the win with his second goal in stoppage time after Joel Grant had doubled Argyle’s first-half lead.

Speaking of the Bury influence, Lowe said: “They’re gelling and they did as soon as we walked into the building. I am big on galvanising the players and being part of them. I’ve worked with them fitness wise in Spain, running up and down hills with them.

“Going out for a meal with them and that, it is all about bonding. Every club I’ve gone to in my career I will make sure that I’ve got that.

“We’re a family here now and when you become a family you are successful.”

Crewe boss Dave Artell opted to start the campaign with inexperienced keeper Will Jaaskelainen, 21. The son of former Bolton goalkeeper, Jussi, was making only his fifth senior start and he was beaten easily by Grant who came back to haunt his old club planting a 25-yard drive into the bottom corner.

Grant was one of five of the visitors to have previously played for Crewe, with Byron Moore, Antoni Sarcevic and substitute Conor Grant having spells at Gresty Road.

As did their manager Lowe, who enjoyed three spells as a striker at Crewe, and his attacking ways are already evident with the Pilgrims adopting a 3-5-2 system.

Plymouth looked the slicker outfit even though Crewe were a threat throughout with Daniel Powell thwarted by Alex Palmer and after the break Harry Pickering bending a free kick just the wrong side of the upright.

But when Plymouth countered deep into stoppage time, McFadzean fired a third goal with an angled drive.

Lowe added: “I was pleased with the goals and the clean sheet. Our standards are high and will get higher, but I couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season.

“We knew Crewe were going to come out in the second half with a never-say-die attitude and we had to handle that little storm.”

Crewe boss Artell said: “We didn’t do enough to stop them scoring when they had their 20-minute spell, but they had to do a hell of a lot to stop us scoring.

“We were the better team in the second half but it is about what happens in each box. We had enough chances.

“Before they went 2-0 up their keeper, who was their best player, has made two miraculous saves. It was fine margins, we had a stonewall penalty and for our second half show we deserved more from the game.”

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