Opposition view: Lowe slams Plymouth's 'unacceptable' performance against Cobblers

Plymouth Argyle manager Ryan Lowe slammed his side's 'unacceptable' performance after their 2-0 defeat to Northampton at the PTS on Tuesday.

Plymouth became the first team in 2021 to suffer defeat to the Cobblers after they were beaten by two goals from Ryan Watson, one either side of half-time.

Lowe's side were coming off an impressive win over Lincoln City at the weekend but could not back it up as their play-off challenge suffered an unexpected setback against the league's bottom side.

"I thought we went from a good team to a bad team in 48 hours because that performance was not acceptable at all," said Lowe.

"Fair play to Northampton, they're fighting for their lives, they put everyone behind the ball and they put bodies on the line, but we gifted them two sloppy goals and that was the only way they were going to score.

"We created chances but Northampton sat in and our passing didn't penetrate them enough. We passed so many balls backwards. I don't expect my team to perform like that when, with all due to respect, we're playing a team bottom of the league.

"It was the lord's mayor show on Saturday and a bad show tonight. I didn't hide my feelings in the dressing room afterwards and I said a few things to the lads, which will stay with between us, but they know it's unacceptable.

"We can't go from beating probably the best team in the league to not beating a team down at the bottom. Northampton defended right but we didn't do as well as we should have done.

"I don't know if it's a mentality thing but we're so inconsistent and up and down. The players are disappointed and rightly so but we've got to be better because we don't want to be an average team in this league - we want to push and push and see where it takes us.

"We can't carry anyone. We've got to be at 100 per cent week in, week out to win games of football but today we were nowhere near those levels.

"We knew what we were coming up against tonight and we didn't leave any stones unturned as staff but the players didn't do their bit."

On Sam Woods' late sending off, Lowe said: "I've not seen it back. They went all around the ref but I think his foot is a little bit high so there will be no complaints from me.

"I feel for Sammy because he came in for his debut and he did well enough. At least he put his foot in - it might have been a bit high but I'll look at it back and address it."