Plymouth Argyle in crunch trip to relegation rivals AFC Wimbledon
MIDFIELDER Paul Wotton is relishing the challenge of Plymouth Argyle's vital trip to League Two relegation rivals AFC Wimbledon tonight (7.45pm).
The Pilgrims are bottom of the table, a couple of points adrift of safety with 13 games to go, after losing 1-0 away to Northampton Town on Saturday.
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Paul Wotton
But they know a win against 21st-placed Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow would move them above their opponents on goal difference.
Even with two months of the campaign still to be completed, it promises to be a pivotal fixture for both clubs as they fight for Football League survival.
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Argyle's narrow defeat by promotion-chasing Northampton came after they had won their previous away game – 2-1 at Aldershot Town on February 9.
Wimbledon, meanwhile, have lost only two of their 10 fixtures in 2013 and picked up seven points from their last three matches.
So the south London side will not be short on confidence when they take on Argyle.
Wotton told Herald Sport: "It's a big game. There is no getting away from it. It's not just another game.
"It won't make or break the season but we know how important it is. We have done well in the last two away games so we have nothing to fear at all.
"We are looking forward to it. We don't want to put the performance right from Saturday, but we want to put the result right."
Argyle were also embroiled in a relegation battle when they played Wimbledon at Kingsmeadow last March.
The Pilgrims were 23rd in the table at the time and their 2-1 win – with Wotton playing in midfield – was a crucial step towards them eventually staying up.
Wotton said: "We take heart not only from last season's result (at Wimbledon) but from the last two away games.
"I'm not saying we are going there full of confidence but we are certainly not doom and gloom, that's for sure.
"There were ups and downs in the relegation battle all the way. We were in the bottom two for a long, long time. It will change."
Argyle were the better team in the first half against Northampton but could not turn that into any goals.
Northampton put them under more pressure after the break and made the breakthrough in the 70th minute.
Argyle 'keeper Jake Cole could not hold onto the ball as team-mate Paris Cowan-Hall collided with him as he tried to catch a corner and it ended up in the net.
Wotton said: "We came in at half-time and were happy with how we had played, without scoring.
"We got in some real good areas and I thought we more than coped with their physical threat. They do what they do well.
"I thought we coped with it all game. To concede the goal in the manner we did was disappointing.
"The great thing is we have got another game and we haven't got time to dwell on it. I think it would have been a long week in training else.
"If we can get three points tonight, Saturday kind of gets forgotten about."
7 Comments
by janner843
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 10:20PM
“"I agree, that the last nail in the coffin, we now 3 points adrift, fans are staying away, poor JS has the worst Argyle side in history and has no money to work with,
We will sell our if any, our good players as they wont stay with us. We should have got rid off CF early but we left it to late.
I cant believe it gone this far, Never before i thought i never be writing to say we sh@t,
I hope Mr B is happy with what he has achieved, Taking argyle down,
I hear people say i still support argyle in the conference????? where has all the fans gone since we were in the championship?
Gone were the good old days?
Let see how many turn out when we play the likes off Braintree, tamworth, southport,
I sorry if i upset many off you but it time to face the truth!!!!!!!!"”
by bobbybiscuit
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 4:21PM
“I just wish the team could score goals more often. To be honest there is no one in the team that could score consistently.”
by showboater
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 1:51PM
“1 point out of the following possible 6.”
by TheMercenary
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 12:06PM
“All together guys:- "Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name................"
Just keeping the faith.”
by Cardiffgreen
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 11:42AM
“To Westcountry11...Yes the next two fixtures are important, and no doubt every other game for the remainder of the season...but they are NOT 'must win games'...a draw tonight would and should be welcomed, talk of crucial, must win games should be confined to needing 3 points from the last game, not with 13 games to go. Lots of time to get out of this mess and I for one believe we will, oh and less of the fear and dread...keep the faith and remember the one thing left in Pandora's box...Hope!”
by WestCountry11
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 11:01AM
“Argyle simply have to win both these two games coming up. Draws are no good at all.
Failure to secure 6 points will start to see those nails slowly going in to the lid of that coffin and relegation to the BSP will be an odds on cert.
With very tough games to come in March and April,it is hard to see where points will come from there. So wins Vs AFC Wimbledon and Barnet must be gained.
It is hard to stomach the plight Argyle see themselves in again and if Argyle do go down,the BSP will be as hard and tough as League Two currently is.
John Sheridan is trying his best,but some of the team now have dread and fear within them. Traits which are surely not needed at this crucial stage of the season."”
by helterfc
Tuesday, February 26 2013, 8:27AM
“I hope Wotton plays and helps us to a win. We have to be so much more positive going forwards and keep it tight at the back. I'm hoping Banton has his scoring boots back on.”