Jordan Houghton says Plymouth Argyle a work in progress under Ian Foster

The Pilgrims drew 1-1 away to Huddersfield Town at the weekend in their first Championship match with Foster as their new boss

Jordan Houghton has spoken about how the Plymouth Argyle squad have already learned a lot under new head coach Ian Foster about how he wants them to play but that there is still plenty of room for improvement too.

Foster has been in charge of the Championship club since January 5 and Houghton revealed there had been a lot of work carried out since then, both on the training pitches but also in meetings as Foster has explained his tactics and principles to the Pilgrims' squad.

They had a full week to prepare for the away game against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, which ended in a 1-1 draw after Morgan Whittaker had given the visitors a 12th minute lead.

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Houghton thought it was a valuable point for Argyle against a team towards the bottom of the table like themselves, but he had a sense of disappointment they had not been able to build on Whittaker's early goal. He said: "I felt like we was in control, not necessarily with the ball but the gaffer (Foster) spoke about being in control when they had the ball and I felt we were."

That was until Huddersfield equalised in the 38th minute with a low shot from Josh Koroma, with Argyle claiming they should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up to it after a challenge on debutant Darko Gyabi by Alex Matos.

Houghton said: "I think a lot of people felt it was a foul, probably a few of their players thought the same thing, but the decision didn't go our way. In the second half they caused us a lot of problems, I thought they played well and it was a good point in context of the week we had as well. There has been a lot of information, it was an intense week.

He added: "We are learning the gaffer's way of how he wants to play and also he's learning about us as well. It has only been a week or so. Now we have got another week of training where we can get some good work in. There is a lot to improve but I think there is a lot of good things that have come in just a week's work with the new manager, so it's positive."

Asked what specifically Foster has been working on with the Argyle squad, Houghton said: "I think we have touched a little bit on everything. Obviously, it's hard to get a lot of work in on everything. There has been a lot of meetings so a lot of information to take in.

"I think especially away from home we needed to be more solid, which I felt we was (against Huddersfield). There wasn't many times where we were caught one-v-one at the back or anything like that.

"There was always cover, there was good tactical positions by the whole team, and lads putting in a real shift. Ryan (Hardie) did a lot of work with their holding pivot player and occupying the centre-halves as well.

"There has been lots of work, a lot of tactical work on the pitch and a lot of work in meetings as well. It's a bunch of lads who are intelligent enough to take it on board, and are happy enough to learn as well.

"We are a young group that want to learn. Even the older lads, you can always learn something and improve. I'm really excited by the new manager and looking forward to the future."

Houghton was in the thick of the action against Huddersfield as he played with his usual determination to win the ball, which led to him needing physio Gareth Law to check him out three times during the game.

"I had a few little knocks but it's part and parcel of playing in that midfield," he said. "I'm used to that now. I have played enough games to know you can come away with a few bruises. I'm fine."

Argyle had the support of 1,396 members of the travelling Green Army at the John Smith's Stadium and while they did not watch an outstanding display from their team they seemed to appreciate the effort of the players.

Houghton said: "I think the fans are always appreciative of the work we put in. They are intelligent football fans, they know when we have put in a performance where we have battled well, and that's all they ask for really.

"They obviously know there is things to improve on but they realise it's early days as well. A lot of positives to take. We are going to improve as the weeks and games go on with the new manager."

Next up for 19th-placed Argyle is a game against Cardiff City, who are in 12th position, at Home Park on Saturday. The teams met as recently as Boxing Day when they played out a 2-2 draw in South Wales.

Houghton said: "We need a win, we can't shy away from it. We need to keep that home form ticking along nicely but it's going to be a tough game, they all are really tough games.

"It probably felt like we could have got the three points at Cardiff the other week. We need to go into this game going for the three points and on the front foot, and I'm sure we will."

As for Argyle's position in the Championship table, Houghton said: "Obviously, we have an eye on it as games go by, you would be silly not to, but we can't concentrate too much on that.

"We need to look at ourselves and where we need to improve. We have a target for ourselves and we just need to keep ticking along, picking up points."

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