Kevin Nancequibel was full of praise for the way Plymouth Argyle’s players coped with immense pressure, producing an inspiring performance to secure the Championship.
The long-time Pilgrims first-team coach admitted he was “really emotional and really proud” after the season ended with a jubilant 1-0 win over Hull City at Home Park.
With Birmingham City winning 1-0 at home to Norwich City, Argyle had to win to stay, and a 40th minute goal from ‘Captain Fantastic’ Joe Edwards achieved that.
Read more: Argyle secure Championship survival with Joe Edwards winner
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There was almost unbearable tension at the end of the second half and the Pilgrims knew that a step behind could see them drop to League One, but they held on to their precious lead until full-time.
At the final whistle, thousands of members of the celebrating Green Army gathered on the pitch, blanketing our heroes in green.
“It was stressful, but that’s always the case, right? I thought the players were great today. That was one of the best performances they’ve had in recent months, especially with the pressure they were under,” Nancequibel said. ” he said. .
“I was really proud to perform like that against a team like Hull who were pushing for the play-offs. I thought we were great.
“We wanted to be brave, we wanted to win the ball, we wanted to take the game to them, and I think we certainly were, but sometimes you have to defend, and that’s against a good team in the Championship. ‘That’s always the case.’
“Listen, credit to the boys. They did everything we asked them to do and more. So I was really happy and relieved that it was all over. .”
If there’s ever been a captain who led by example, it’s the 33-year-old Edwards. He had a poor reputation under former head coach Ian Foster, but he not only worked tirelessly from start to finish, but also produced the all-important winning goal.
Nansekibel said: “I didn’t know he could jump that high, but he was a great springboard. It was a captain’s performance. I thought he led by example throughout the game and pushed us forward. Callum Wright. It was a great ball and it was the smallest ball.” It’s great to see a player on the pitch stand up at the far post.”
West Bromwich Albion’s 3-0 home win over Preston North End ended Hull’s play-off hopes, and despite having plenty of possession Hull rarely threatened to score an equalizer. There wasn’t.
Argyle University goalkeeper Michael Cooper only made one important save when he held off a fierce attack from Jayden Firozine, but other than that he didn’t cause too much alarm for the hosts. There wasn’t.
Nansekibel said: “I think a lot of it was because we were brave on the ball. I haven’t looked at the stats but I hope we had as much possession as they (Hull) or close to it. “There is,” he said.
“We were good on the ball, we passed well and obviously when you have control of the ball you don’t have to defend as much, right? But when we did have to defend, our organization I thought the team was no good.”The disciplined approach we showed was great. ”
Birmingham scored early in the second half and word of it quickly spread through Home Park, and the stadium was silent for a moment as they realized they couldn’t afford to allow Argyle an equalizer.
Nancequibel said: “We knew Birmingham were ahead. We saw the half-time score and then we got the news that they had scored. “It could affect how we make substitutions and how we play. “We need to know because there is, but thankfully we are.” In the end it didn’t matter because we were competent at what we were doing. ”
Under Nansekibel and director of football Neil Duesnip, Argyle had three wins and 10 points in six games after Foster was sacked on Easter Monday. The Pilgrims finished in 21st place, one point above the relegation zone, but it was enough to ensure safety.
Nansekibel, a loyal servant of the club, said: “I’m no different from thousands of Argyle fans. I’m an Argyle fan. It means the world to me, but it’s not just me, everyone involved in football. It means the world to so many people, including.” club.
“You could feel it this week, you could feel it today. I’m really emotional, I’m really proud, and now I can sit back and enjoy the summer. ”
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