Dan Grimshaw delight at first Plymouth Argyle clean sheet as Portsmouth beaten

Goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw admitted it was a big boost for him and his Plymouth Argyle team-mates that they not only beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Home Park on Tuesday night but also kept a first clean sheet of the season in doing so.

Grimshaw has generally been in good form for the Pilgrims since taking over from the injured Conor Hazard soon after signing from League One outfit Blackpool in late August, but he had conceded 12 goals in the four games before the bottom-of-the-table clash against Portsmouth.

The emphasis was placed on Argyle's players by head coach Wayne Rooney that the result was all important, and even though they did not produce a good performance, especially in the first half when they were comfortably second best, they were able to come out on top in the end, courtesy of an 82nd minute strike from substitute Michael Obafemi.

Grimshaw's 10th successive Championship start for Argyle finally resulted in a clean sheet and he said: "It's big, I think not just for me for the defenders as well. Obviously, we are down a few players at the moment with injuries and stuff, but you see Pleggy (Julio Pleguezuelo) and Matty (Sorinola) come in and how well they have done.

"It was nice for the whole team. We worked hard. I don't think it was the best we have played this year but it was a big result. We said at half-time we needed to lift it and just grind out the game. I think you have seen us play better football in a lot of games this year compared to tonight but the main thing was we needed three points and that's what we got."

Grimshaw continued: "Obviously everyone looks at clean sheets and judges keepers by that, I guess, but sometimes it's out your hands as a keeper. You can have a really good game but the chances the other team gets are easy ones to score.

"It's not something I look at and strive for. I would rather us win every game and me a concede a goal every game. I would rather the three points than a clean sheet to be honest, but it is nice to get one.

"It's nice for the lads as a team to get one as well. We did need one because recently we have conceded a lot of goals. We have not been good enough defensively and that's something we needed to improve on tonight."

Portsmouth almost opened the scoring inside the first minute of the match as Grimshaw made a fine reaction save from a close range Connor Ogilvie shot, only for Regan Poole to tap into the net. However, the visitors' captain was flagged offside.

Grimshaw said: "I was called upon straight away. I'm just there to do my job. You won't see any big reactions or big antics from myself. That's what I'm there to do, to keep it out the net and hopefully help the team, and tonight I could do so."

Rooney made his first two substitutions in the 62nd minute with Mustapha Bundu and Callum Wright sent on, and they were joined by Obafemi soon afterwards. They all played a part in Argyle at least getting as foothold in the game for the first time, and an opportunistic strike from Obafemi clinched an important victory.

Grimshaw said: "All the subs who came on did really well and helped us when we needed them. That's what we are going to have to do. It's not just the 11 that start, we need everyone in the squad to be ready. You don't know who it's going to be and when you are called upon you need to help the team."

Argyle have now picked up 14 of their 15 Championship points this season at the Theatre of Greens. Grimshaw said: "The home record is really good, and I think the fans help. It's a very tough place to come to, I have noticed that in the games I have been here. When we are attacking you can feel a goal coming.

"The away form is something we need to improve on, that will ease the pressure on us a little bit. I'm sure we will find a way. I think we have put in some decent performances away in some games, recently not so good."

Injury-hit Argyle were without seven players against Portsmouth, including key performers such as captain Joe Edwards, defender Lewis Gibson and midfielder Adam Randell, although the latter is expected to be fit for the away game against Derby County on Saturday.

Grimshaw said: "We are missing some big players at the moment but that's what we have a squad for. Everyone who is in the squad is good enough to be playing so they have got to take their opportunity."

Rooney began his managerial career at Derby County in 2020 so it will be a big moment for him to return to Pride Park as Argyle seek that elusive first away league win of the campaign.

Grimshaw said: "It would be big. It's the last game before the international break and if we can go there and get the three points it will probably ease the pressure from some recent results. With the away form, I think when we get one win it will ease a bit because as players we are aware of the record. A lot of people speak about it and we have got to try to put that to the back of our minds and just go and perform."

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