Schumacher eager to test himself in the Championship

STEVEN Schumacher has called on his Plymouth Argyle players to be brave and positive as they tackle the challenge of stepping up into the Championship.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The Pilgrims’ boss is not setting any targets for his side other than stating they want to do as best as they possibly can, while acknowledging their form at Home Park will play a very important part.

Newly-promoted Argyle are being tipped by bookies for an immediate relegation to League One but there has been a groundswell of opinion around football that they could be a surprise package.

The joint club record transfer fee signings of Morgan Whittaker and Bali Mumba from Swansea City and Norwich City respectively for £1 million have fuelled that.

Schumacher said: “Every player wants to play at the highest level they possibly can. We worked so hard last year in League One to try and get promoted.

“We won the league and now we are stepping into the Championship. I’m hoping everybody is going to relish that experience, and be brave and be positive, and try and do as best as we can.

“It’s a little bit more physical. We have looked at the data that goes behind it. There is more high intensity sprints and whatever per 90 minutes than there is in League One.

“We consider ourselves as a real fit team so I think we will be able to bridge that gap. And then also there is a little bit more quality in the Championship, as you would expect.