PLYMOUTH’S visit to the Galpharm tonight kicks off a run of nine Town matches in five weeks – and Gary Roberts can’t wait.
The 26-year-old winger, who registered his seventh goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Dover, believes all professional footballers prefer playing to training.
“Matches are what it’s all about, so the more the better,” said the former Ipswich man, who is delighted by the prospect of a trip to Leeds or Arsenal in round four.
Town also have a two-legged Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Northern final against Carlisle on the horizon.
But their only current concern is League I, with the Argyle encounter to be followed by a trip to Walsall on Saturday.
Town lost 2-1 at Plymouth back in October, and Roberts reckons they have a point to prove in the return.
“I was out with my broken arm at the time, but I went down with the boys, and I know they were frustrated at losing,” he added.
“All credit to Plymouth for taking the three points, but we felt we could have made a better challenge, so you could say we owe them.”
Town also have the trip to Hartlepool which should have taken place on FA Cup fourth-round day, January 29, to reschedule.
But Roberts has no worries that he and his teammates will cope with the busy schedule, adding: “We’re in great nick.
“Andy Kiwomya (Town’s performance coach) is doing great work with us, and we’re all benefiting from his help.
“Hopefully the work we’ve put in already will pay dividends over the next few weeks, because we’re all keen to kick on.”
Town, who are fourth in League I, are chasing a third straight win in all competitions against Argyle, 14th after Saturday’s 3-0 setback at Bournemouth.
It’s one of four games in the division, with third-placed Southampton going to Oldham, Peterborough hosting Brentford and Walsall at Bristol Rovers.
Plymouth go into the match knowing top scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips is on the verge of completing a £300,000 switch to Reading.
The former Manchester City and Southampton man has scored 13 times this season, two of his goals coming against Town.
Craig Noone (to Brighton), Reda Johnson (Sheffield Wednesday) and George Donnelly (Fleetwood Town) have all been sold in the transfer window.
And experienced trio Rory Fallon (Ipswich), Steve MacLean (Oxford) and Marcel Seip (Charlton) are out on loan.
Argyle are trying to raise money to pay off the tax man, avoid a winding-up petition and get their transfer embargo lifted.
While Wright-Phillips’ move would bring the combined income from sales to around £800,000, it’s left manager Peter Reid with a threadbare squad.
Injuries to midfielders Luke Summerfield and Simon Walton haven’t helped, and Lee Clark’s old boss at Sunderland has only 17 senior players available.
That could lead to 16-year-old defender or midfielder Jack Stephens being included in the Argyle 18 tonight. when the referee is Lancashire’s Paul Tierney.
