Plymouth Argyle must prepare for two-pronged aerial attack
at Home Park
Plymouth Argyle can expect to come under another barrage of long throw-ins when they play npower League Two leaders Gillingham at Priestfield tomorrow.
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Argyle goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin was one of three players to return to training this week after injury. Picture by Pinnacle
The Pilgrims should be used to it by now, because it has been a recurring theme for them in recent away matches.
Their last three road trips have been to Aldershot Town, Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon, and each team have had a long throw-in specialist to call upon.
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Gillingham, however, have two players who can hurl the ball into the opposition penalty area, in the shape of midfield duo Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale.
Lee is usually called upon to take the long throw-ins, and not only gets distance on them but plenty of velocity as well.
Gillingham also rely heavily on the physical presence of striker Danny Kedwell, who is their top scorer with 12 goals in all competitions.
Argyle's ability, or otherwise, to cope with the threat of Kedwell and the long throw-ins of Lee will dictate their chances of success tomorrow.
Argyle manager John Sheridan said: "Gillingham are well organised and play to their strengths. They are good at them and we have got to be wary of that.
"Whatever team I pick, hopefully, will give them a problem and will help us to get a good result.
"I always pick a team which is going to try to win us a game. I don't really worry who we are playing."
Sheridan opted for an attacking 4-3-3 formation when Argyle played Barnet at Home Park last Saturday, and beat them 2-1.
Whether the Pilgrims' boss will be so bold in his tactics in an away game against table-topping opponents remains to be seen.
When asked whether he would be comfortable about playing 4-3-3 at Gillingham, Sheridan replied: "I will play any system as long as I think it can cause the opposition a problem.
"It won't worry me who I play or what formation I play, as long as the players understand what we are trying to do. Hopefully, they can carry it out in the game."
Argyle have been hit by a spate of injuries over recent weeks but they are starting to clear up, with the end of the League season only seven weeks away.
Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin (hamstring), right-back Durrell Berry (knee) and midfielder Jamie Lowry (ankle) have all returned to training with the Devon club this week.
However, none of the trio will be part of the Pilgrims' squad to play against Gillingham, and will instead be given more time to recover from their injuries.
Centre-back Curtis Nelson has missed the last six matches because of a groin problem. He has been working with club physiotherapist Paul Atkinson over the last couple of days and Sheridan hopes Nelson will be able to return to full training next week.
On-loan Reading striker Gozie Ugwu made an early exit from Argyle reserves' 2-0 home defeat to Exeter City on Monday because of an abdominal muscle strain, but will be fit to face Gillingham.
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