ALL talk of player unrest and the departure of the manager if Argyle failed to produce a result against Sheffield United was swept firmly aside on Tuesday. Manager Bobby Williamson picked nine of last season's championship-winning team to see off Neil Warnock's high flying Blades 3-0, the Pilgrims' first victory since the 2-1 defeat of Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day. Bringing back wide players was also welcomed by the fans, who Warnock said were fantastic. It was very evident on a cold February night that the fans were going to back the team all the way no matter what the outcome. And with goals at the beginning of each half settling things down, Argyle ran out worthy winners. 'I have no complaints really,' said former Argyle boss Warnock, who singled out defender Graham Coughlan for special praise, saying: 'I thought he was magnificent. I have always liked the lad.' Williamson, in praising his players, said: 'I get the blame for everything when we get beaten. 'The players get the credit tonight because they went out, got the ball in the back of the net and won the game for us.' Tuesday night was far removed from Saturday's shocking 5-0 defeat at West Ham United, when 2,500 of Argyles fans were left humiliated by the team's poor performance. The return of Hasney Aljofree at left back was judged not to be the wisest of choices, nor was the formation that left Nick Chadwick the lone ranger up front and Dexter Blackstock in a more supporting role. And with the team providing no width, West Ham virtually had the freedom of Upton Park. With Matt Doumbe harshly sent off at West Ham, Williamson was able to put Aljofree in the centre of the defence on Tuesday, with Peter Gilbert and Paul Connolly, in for the injured David Worrall, as full backs. With Mickey Evans playing up front alongside Chadwick, Paul Wotton and Akos Buzsaky in the engine room and Norris and Capaldi playing wide, Argyle looked every bit as good as the championship-winning team of last season. The formation and pattern of play pleased the home fans and Argyle have been given a lifeline. The fans will expect more of the same when Crewe Alexandra come to town tomorrow, but it won't take them long to raise their displeasure if too much tinkering fails to bring results. Williamson will be without Northern Ireland international Capaldi but David Worrall should have recovered from his ankle injury and apart from Lee Hodges and Steve Milne, who is expected to turn out of for the reserves on Tuesday, Argyle should be at full strength. Dario Gradi's Crewe always play neat football, as they showed in the 3-0 beating of Argyle at Gresty Road in December and Argyle will need to be at their best if they want to pick up all three points.
Argyle will most probably field a strong reserve team for the visit of Cheltenham Town reserves on Tuesday, with Scott Taylor and Steven Milne both expected to be given full run outs.
Argyle youth got off to the worst possible start when they lost their opening Merit Southern Division Two match 2-0 at Brighton. The youngsters next outing is against Portsmouth on March 5.
Argyle Ladies are through to the final of the Devon Women's Cup after their 4-0 defeat of Dawlish Town. Katie Middleton hit a hat trick and Laura Perrett got the other. The girls will meet Newton Abbott in the final in defence of the trophy they won last season. Argyle face unbeaten league leaders Reading Royals on Sunday. Argyle's Kay Lewis was in the Cornwall squad that beat Dorset 2-0 in the South West Counties Championship on Sunday.
Fixtures - Coca-Cola Championship: Sat Feb 26 Crewe Alexandra (H) 3pm. Reserves: Tue Mar 1 Cheltenham Town (H) 7pm. Ladies: Sun Feb 27 Reading Royals (H) 2pm.