Plymouth Argyle are putting on a brave face as they enter a testing period on the back of four defeats in four matches ahead of Preston North End's visit to Home Park tomorrow. The first to raise the tempo was central defender Graham Coughlan's comments after another disappointing defeat, this time 1-0 at Gillingham. The tough defender gave a captain's interview after defeat pushed Argyle to the brink of an end-of-season dogfight. Coughlan openly criticised unnamed members of the team for not showing enough passion of late. Manager Bobby Williamson was not pleased with Coughlan's outburst saying: 'He spoke emotionally in the immediate aftermath of Saturday's game' I can understand that.' The manager added: 'I'd be more worried if we weren't competing in this division, but we are. As manager I'm not going to stand back and let us drift into defeat after defeat. 'A couple of victories will take us up the league and we're only a couple of goals away from getting results.' These were interesting comments as the team had just returned from a three-day training and bonding camp prior to the match. His sentiments were echoed by chairman Paul Stapleton, who has urged the fans to stay calm. 'We need the fans to be positive and cheer us on and help us stay in the Championship.' Argyle performances have not produced the results they deserved, but in truth they have to start grinding out results. The overall performance of the team now becomes secondary to results. It's roll your sleeves up time and there are enough characters in the side to do just that. Coughlan may have spoken out of turn, but he too must remember that passion isn't everything. It's making the right tackle at the right time, it's diving in where the boots fly to try and steal a goal. New striker Scott Taylor has to start finding the net. The last thing Argyle fans want to see on Saturday is a lead surrendered and the game ending in a draw or defeat. Opponents Preston North End must not be given the opportunity to recover from a goal deficit as they did in the 1-1 away draw at the end of September. This type of result has frustrated Argyle fans for most of the season. Doing the hard work to gain a lead has often been followed by a disappointing defeat, and dropping points at home has been a major problem. Can they get out of this situation? Of course they can, it's just the little problem of scoring more goals than the opposition. It's got to the stage now that every man and his dog can come up with his ideal team to start the recovery and we would almost all be wrong. At the end of the day, the team picked and the formation played is in the hands of the manager. But it is the team that must produce the results. With the Haas transfer looking for the moment dead and buried, Argyle have been scouring the country in the search for new faces. Four new faces were included in an Argyle team that beat a Torquay United team 5-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week. The three are believed to be 25-year-old Norwegian utility international Christer George who has been transfer listed by Norwegian champions Rosenborg, 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Fowler from Arsenal and 17-year-old Gambian U23 international Mustapha Jarjue from Gambian champions Wallidan. Another unnamed trialist is believed to be from Portuguese champions Porto. There was some good news, with Gary Sawyer and Marcus Martin putting in good performances against Manchester United in the FA Cup for Exeter City. The pair, who are both on season long loans for the Conference club, are back in league action tomorrow against Barnet.

Saltash teenager Ryan Dickson had a storming performance for Argyle's youth team on Tuesday. Unfortunately his all-action display couldn't stop Argyle tumbling out of the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup 2-0 to Crewe, whose goals came in a three-minute second half spell. Brinton Nute and Chris Reski were named substitutes but took no part in the match.

Argyle ladies return to league action on Sunday when Forest Green Rovers come to Elburton Villa. This will be only Argyle's second home league match of the season.

Fixtures - Coca-Cola Championship: Sat Jan 22 Preston North End (H) 3pm. Reserves: Wed Jan 26 Swansea City (A) 2pm. U18s: Sat Jan 22 Yeovil Town (A) 11am U16s: Sat Jan 22 Exeter City (H) 11am Women: Sun Jan 23 Forest Green Rovers (H) 2pm.