Argyle must 'look forward' to survive - Edwards

Joe Edwards is one of Argyle's longest serving players, featuring 222 times since joining the club in summer 2019

Plymouth Argyle captain Joe Edwards said he and his team-mates must look forward to the chance to securing their Championship survival.

The Pilgrims conceded a late goal to lose 1-0 at Millwall on Saturday.

But the 1-1 draw between Huddersfield Town and Birmingham means both those sides remain below Argyle, who occupy the first position of safety in the table.

Should the Pilgrims - who are a point above Blues - beat Hull City at Home Park on Saturday, then they will ensure a second successive season in the Championship

"It sounds mad but it's something you should look forward to," Edwards said after the loss at The Den.

"You play football for special occasions and I know it's going to be tough, and there's lots on it and lots riding on it, but if you come out the other end of it positively, it's one of the best days you'll have in football.

"We've got to take that mentality into it, we know it'll be rocking and we need to perform and to match the atmosphere and the fans' commitment.

"We know what it means to them, we know what it means to us and it's down to us now to do that."

Argyle were nine points clear of the drop zone in mid-January but a poor run under new head coach Ian Foster saw them saw them take just five points from 11 games up to 1 April.

It led to Foster's sacking with the club a point above the drop zone.

Seven points came from the next three games, under the interim leadership of director of football Neil Dewsnip and first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell, but successive losses to Stoke City and Millwall have kept the Pilgrims in danger.

But Edwards says Argyle must keep the optimism that has returned to the squad since Foster's departure.

"We've had that changed mentality recently where we've got that belief back and we can't lose it.

"It's in our hands and that's the biggest thing.

"Home Park is our place and that adds belief as well. It's just about looking within and finding that extra little bit that you need to get what you want

"We'll work as hard as we can this week, knowing that the end goal is something fantastic."