Plymouth Argyle Manager Victorious and as well states disappointing fact in thier win over Middlesbrough..

Ian Foster, Manager of Plymouth Argyle, Celebrates Victory

Ian Foster of Plymouth Argyle outlined the game strategy that led to his team’s 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside, with the outcome all too familiar for Boro.

Boro were defeated by Plymouth, extending their league winless streak at home to five games, on a day when Michael Carrick accepted responsibility and confessed that not much went right for his team. Plymouth led 2-0 in the 31st minute, thanks to goals from Matthew Sorinola and Ryan Hardie.

Foster may be most pleased with his team at the other end of the pitch, as they limited Boro’s offensive, with Carrick’s side failing to register a single shot on target throughout the game. A regular vulnerability for Boro recently, the Pilgrims boss acknowledged they worked hard to ensure they were quick in the transition, believing it was where they could, and eventually did, affect Boro.

Foster remarked afterwards, “We had a strategy and a gameplan, and the players executed it flawlessly. The only disappointment at halftime was that there were only two. Our second-half performance was excellent in terms of tactical discipline and ability to transition and pose a danger the other way.

“We wanted to play on the front foot and be aggressive out of possession because we believed we could transition and generate opportunities. That’s what they did, and they did it exceptionally effectively.

“This is a very difficult place to come. Michael is an excellent instructor, and I know some of his staff members, who are doing wonderful work. It’s also quite satisfying for us to come here and limit them to 0 shots on goal, which I’m sure won’t happen much this season.

Plymouth’s second away win of the season broke a four-game losing streak that included defeats against Sunderland, Leeds United, and West Brom, as well as a draw with Coventry City. All four teams are ahead of Boro in the table, and in a disturbing sign of how Boro is perceived right now, despite sitting 13th in the Championship table, Foster says he thought this was the type of game his team could win.

He stated, “I don’t think it was a significant reversal today, since I don’t believe our levels of performance have been poor; it’s just difficult to say that when you’re not getting results. We were all dissatisfied on Tuesday [in a 3-0 loss to West Brom], and it can be difficult for a coach to come out and justify such performances because it appears that you are making excuses.

“The message was always to sustain the levels of performance, even when the performances were good; they were simply competing against three incredibly good teams. But we assumed that if we kept up our performance levels, we’d be able to score points in games like this, and I mean that politely.

“The games against the teams in the play-offs are extremely difficult, and if they get you on a night when you’re not quite at your best, it can be uncomfortable. It was, man-to-man, outstanding, and arguably the ideal away performance.”