Kamil Conteh believes the squad has plenty of belief and confidence going into their Vertu Trophy Round Of 16 after starting 2026 with a victory.
The Pirates ended their winless run with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town on New Year's Day, with Fabrizio Cavegn netting a second-half hat-trick to help the Gas to all three points.
However, Rovers have had to stay patient for their next fixture. Steve Evans' men were looking to claim back-to-back triumphs in Sky Bet League Two with a match away at Barrow three days later, but the game was postponed before having the most recent weekend off due to Walsall's involvement in the Emirates FA Cup.
Conteh was disappointed that the Gas could not get straight back on the pitch after their success over the Shrews and wants his team to continue their momentum against Argyle.
“It’s a bit disappointing that we didn’t get to play because after the Shrewsbury game, it would have been nice to play another game and try to build the momentum," he said. "It was a bit upsetting that we went all that way, and they said the game was cancelled, but we’ll get to play them again soon.
"I always say that the tables always turn. Us getting that win has brought a lot of belief and confidence, and going forward for the game tomorrow, with it being a cup game, it will be good to get a win and keep that momentum going for the game against Colchester on Saturday."
“With the new gaffer coming in, he obviously puts his ideas and beliefs across, and I think we all had the effort, desire and commitment and a bit of football arrogance on the day. I feel like coming in at half-time at nil-nil, the game was there to be won, and I think once we got the chances and took them, I think that was the difference.
After a frustrating conclusion to 2025, the Gas want to turn a corner under new Head Coach Evans. After positive signs in his first game in charge, in the draw away to Crewe Alexandra and the narrow 3-2 defeat to Bromley, the well-deserved win over Shrewsbury showed the team is moving in the right direction.
Conteh knows it will take some time for Evans to implement all his ideas on the squad, but he is looking forward to the opportunity of building form during a hectic January period.
"When there is a change in the gaffer, it can take a bit of time for him to settle in and bring in his own ideas," said Conteh. "We’re in January now, so there are going to be incomings with people being added to the squad. So, I think once we all come together, I can see us climbing up the table.
"A win takes us up a bit, and if you can put two or three wins together, then you can start looking higher up the table. There are teams that have been higher up and dropped, and the teams that have had it the other way around. So, I think it’s possible, we just have to train every day with the effort, desire and commitment, and in games the same."
It's still early January, but there has been plenty of movement in the transfer window. Five loans departed the Club, with Isaac Hutchinson brought back from his spell at Cheltenham Town, and two new faces added in Ryan de Havilland and Kofi Balmer.
For Conteh, changes should not come as a surprise.
"Most people here have been in the game for a decent amount of time to know that in January, there are going to be incomings, outgoings and the same with the summer," said the midfielder. "It’s a similar scenario, just in January, it’s a shorter window.
“As players, we have to just focus on ourselves and whoever gets added in, we welcome them in, we get on with it, and if there are people going out, you wish them well and look forward. But the plan remains the same, just train hard, do everything right and come matchday, it’s easier.”
The Pirates have already faced Plymouth in the Vertu Trophy, with the Gas beating the Pilgrims in their final match of the Southern Group B to secure first position.
Conteh will want a repeat of the last game, where he netted his first goal for the Pirates, but is well aware that it will be a completely different contest against a Plymouth side in better form.
“I don’t think anyone is under any illusion that it will be the same game as last time. So, they have picked up a couple of results. They will remember us from the last time we played them, and as the staff are saying, we have to focus on what we have to do, and if we do the same stuff that we did against Shrewsbury with a bit more quality and better decision-making in the final third, I think it will be a good game.
"I don’t think anyone is looking at Wembley yet. You just have to take one game at a time, and once tomorrow is finished, focus on the league."
