Managers full of praise for goalkeepers after draw

Posted Saturday, September 08, 2018 by PA

Derek Adams and Darrell Clarke praised their goalkeepers after a full-blooded west country derby at the Memorial Stadium had ended in stalemate.

While Argyle boss Adams could reflect on two fine Matt Macey saves to deny Sam Matthews in the second half, Rovers manager Clarke was equally pleased with his recent recruit Jack Bonham, who showed razor sharp reactions to keep out Graham Carey’s 75th minute shot.

Clarke said: “We have been looking for a keeper to come for crosses and dominate his box, which Jack did for us today, as well as making a great save.

“It was a full-blooded derby and another building block as far as I am concerned with what is a new group of players.

“While I am never happy with a home point, I could take positives from that performance. We can still be better with our final ball and movement in the box, but that will come as the players get more used to one another.

“I won’t be able to keep on saying that much longer. But we caused Plymouth problems and forced their keeper to make one good save in the first half and two in the second.

“Defensively we looked a lot stronger than in some of our games this season and that is the base from which we have to build.

“It may only be two draws on the trot, but I can see confidence building for us to go forward from here.”

Adams saw his side miss the best chance of the game when Antoni Sarcevic shot wide from Freddie Ladapo’s cross after 82 minutes and was equally positive about his team’s efforts.

“I felt we played really well, especially in the second half” he said.

“Our game plan was initially to frustrate Rovers because we knew they hadn’t won a game at home in the League this season.

“We got in at half-time at 0-0 and they started the second half well. But the game turned when we threw on Joel Grant, who helped get us higher up the pitch, and we then started to create a number of opportunities.

“Antoni Sarcevic put one past the post and Graham Carey was denied by an unbelievable save. There was also a scramble on their line, so from my point of view we’re happy with the performance.

“We should have had three points, but coming away from home to a difficult venue it’s a decent result for us.

“Matt Macey is a very good goalkeeper and we are lucky to have him. Their keeper was man of the match and rightly so, but Matt made an excellent save in the second half and both did really well.”