Curle explains selection decisions and takes the positives from Plymouth loss

Cobblers fans might be finding it increasingly difficult to stay upbeat but the same cannot be said for Keith Curle even after his side's fourth successive league defeat at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.

Beaten 2-1 down in Devon after a late Kell Watts winner, Curle felt his side's performance was a step in the right direction and few would disagree with him, particularly in an attacking sense as Town racked up six shots on target, nearly double their previous three games combined.

"There were some good performances and we will take positives out of the game," said Curle. "I thought Jack Sowerby was excellent, Sam Hoskins and Ricky Korboa both did very well, and Ryan Watson got the ball more in the second-half and we looked more of a threat.

"Danny Rose showed a great understanding of that role and Benny Ashley-Seal and Caleb (Chukwuemeka) added physical presence when they came on, but it's those small details that matter.

"There was a moment when Caleb got the ball one v one against their man and you're thinking 'go on Caleb, take him on, take him on' but he passed it. That's down to confidence but once we get a win, that confidence comes straight back and we will go and take people on."

Curle threw a couple of curveballs with his team selection at Home Park. There was a surprise start for Shaun McWilliams, at wing-back no less, but midfielder Christopher Missilou, who had started every league game this season, was not even in the squad.

Although he did not answer directly, Curle's reply when asked the question seemed to suggest Missilou had been dropped.

He said: "We've got a competitive squad but we're respectful of the opposition and you take a look at the lad (George) Cooper and their other players in the wide areas who offer threats, so we swapped Michael Harriman over to combat that threat.

"We put Shaun McWilliams at wing-back because he's a dogged, tigerish midfield player and we gave him the responsibility to play in the wide area up against their threats."

McWilliams, on his first league start in 10 months, equipped himself well before being forced off with cramp midway through the second-half.

"You could tell Shaun's time was up because he got outrun by Frank Nouble! Not being funny but I think I would back myself against him even now," Curle added.

"Shaun had cramped up in both hamstrings but it's the risk and the reward and it was the right thing to take him off. Luka (Racic) came on and did a good job slotting into the role."