Derek Adams hails Plymouth as they end Blackburn run

Posted Sunday, February 04, 2018 by PA

Plymouth Argyle boss Derek Adams praised his side for ending Blackburn Rovers’ 18-match unbeaten League One run with a 2-0 win at Home Park.

Portuguese forward Ruben Lameiras roofed in a thumping 25th-minute volley to open the scoring, while target man Ryan Taylor double Argyle’s lead when he converted Graham Carey’s 37th-minute left-wing cross with the deftest of touches at the near post.

Adams said: “I am delighted because we have come up against a team unbeaten in 18 games.”

Argyle climbed to 11th as a result, and Adams added: “We started the game very well, we were on the front foot, won the second ball and completed passes.

“We ran forward and scored a very good goal from a set play, a ball into the box from David Fox, a header by Sonny Bradley and an unbelievable finish from Ruben Lameiras.

“Ruben’s capable of doing that and it gave us a foothold in the game.

“Then Antoni Sarcevic has got on the ball, he’s spread the ball wide to Graham Carey and a magnificent cross for Ryan Taylor to score. Taylor’s always a threat with Carey and Lameiras coming in off the sides.

“Ryan was very good on the day but he was one of 11 who started the game who did well and we had substitutes who came on (and) gave us that solidity to go forward.

“I did say before the game it was a ‘free game’ because the team at the top of the table are always expected to win.

“The players went out and played with a freedom that was good to see.

“We shored up the park, and that gave us the confidence to go on and win the game.”

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray offered no excuses as his side dropped down to third as a result.

He said: “There are no excuses, well done to them.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game as they have been on a good run of form.

“They have got some good players and we didn’t get to the levels we have been at recently.

“In the first half there was a lack of intensity and in the second half it was more about a lack of creativity.

“It’s our first defeat in 19 games so we can’t be too hard on them.

“I think we have based ourselves on the intensity we have played at and teams have struggled to cope with us. I thought everybody was a yard off today.

“We are disappointed but we know what we have to do. We have to work hard in training and get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

“We are in a good position and the team has to reproduce what we have been doing. It is about if we can get another run going again.

“When you ask the same players to find the same levels every three days it is difficult. I stand here in hindsight, thinking some of them looked a bit leggy. I could have made changes.”