Kevin Nancekivell: Plymouth Argyle have 'real competition' for starting places

Plymouth Argyle are relishing the chance to play Burnley at Turf Moor tonight and want to show what they are all about, according to first team coach Kevin Nancekivell.

Burnley were promoted to the Premier League in 2022/23 and although they were relegated last term they are expected to be at or close to the top of the Championship this season. They are currently in fourth position with 14 points from seven games following a 0-0 draw away to Oxford United on Saturday.

Argyle beat another of the relegated Premier League teams, Luton Town, 3-1 at Home Park last Friday night, when second half substitute Ibrahim Cissoko scored two of the goals. That followed matches against high-fliers Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion, and with third-placed Blackburn Rovers to come this weekend.

Nancekivell said: "There is no easy games. This is the Championship and it's one of the toughest leagues in the world. It's relentless. You have a tough block and you look around and you think 'Crikey, the next is coming and it's no different.'

"We prepare the same all the time. We have done our work on Burnley. It just gives us confidence to know we can definitely hold our own in this league, and year on year start to improve and climb up that league."

Nancekivell said about Burnley: "They have got a lot of threats, they have just come out the Premier League. They have got an experienced team that have come out of this league (the Championship) already.

"They have got some attacking players that are a handful so we will have to be on our mettle. It will be a tough challenge for us but the positives are we have got some players I'm sure Burnley will be a bit concerned about. We look an attacking threat at the minute, we look like we are going to score goals and create, so it should be a cracking match."

Nancekivell believes one of the plus points for Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney at the moment is the competition for places among his squad. He said: "The strength in depth is huge. That's probably something we have got this year that we haven't had in recent years, and we have got real quality in that depth as well.

"So there is 26-27 players - whatever it is - fighting for a starting place. I think the manager is more than happy to put any of them in which can only be good for everybody.

"There is real competition and I think we have got some real good characters as well so they understand at times when they need to be on the bench and have a little rest, and make an impact like Ibi (Cissoko) did on Friday night. They are aware of that and it's important because we are going to need everybody."

Argyle are making their first visit to Turf Moor since a League Cup second round tie in August 2012, when a late Robbie Williams penalty earned them a 1-1 draw before they lost 3-2 on penalties.

Nancekivell said: "We are looking forward to it. It's a lovely stadium, it's a fantastic football club. They were in the Premier League last year so that's exciting, but we are relishing it. We want to show them what Argyle are all about.

"The performances have shown that momentum now for the last five or six games. If we can continue to produce the performances, continue to work really hard - which the lads are doing - then I'm sure the results will come."

Argyle have picked up just one point out of nine on their travels this season, losing at Sheffield Wednesday (4-0) and West Brom, and drawing 1-1 away to Queens Park Rangers, and will need to be at their best to get anything against Burnley.

Nancekivell said: "It has not been mentioned about picking up a first away win, I think we just want to win every game we play. We go in it to win, whether it's home or away. It is away against a really good team but we are confident and looking forward to the challenge."

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