Match Day Preview: Scunthorpe United v Plymouth Argyle

Scunthorpe United v Plymouth Argyle

Sky Bet League 2, Saturday 21 September 2013 (kick-off 3pm)

“I’m sick of saying it – consistency is the most important thing if you want to get out of the league, and that’s what we have got to show. That’s what we are trying to breed into the players.

“They are at this level for a reason – it’s no good giving me a five, then a nine the following week. I want players giving me a seven, consistently. If we do that, we’ll be okay. That’s something we’ll work very hard to improve.”

So says John Sheridan, highlighting that word 'consistency' once again when speaking to the Plymouth Argyle website ahead of Saturday's visit to Scunthorpe.

The 3-0 home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers last weekend was a stark reminder of the difficulty of Argyle's journey from relegation-escapees to potential promotion candidates. They lie mid-table and we are still on an early stretch in the season's marathon, but a tough away fixture in Scunthorpe presents another tough challenge.

The Lincolnshire club, managed by former Premiership manager (at Burnley) Brian Laws, have only a point more than the Pilgrims but they host the game on the back of a more than useful away win at Southend United.

A result for Argyle at Glanford Park would not only enable them to shake off the disappointment and criticism from last weekend, but would provide a genuine boost with a home game against bottom-placed Accrington Stanley to come next weekend, before the derby trip to Exeter City on 5 October.

Time then for a bit of that much coveted commodity - consistency.