Derek Adams has explained the reason why he took off Plymouth Argyle’s eight-goal top scorer Freddie Ladapo at half-time during the 5-1 mauling by Luton Town.
The Pilgrims trailed 4-0 at the break after a shocking defensive showing, but Adams was also unhappy with the contribution of Ladapo.
That led to the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month for October being replaced by midfielder Stuart O’Keefe.
Ryan Taylor, already on as a substitute for the injured Jamie Ness, played the second half as a lone striker.
O’Keefe lined up in a five-man midfield as Argyle tried to prevent Luton from heaping more misery on them.
Asked about the half-time substitution of Ladapo, Adams replied: “He wasn’t good enough today, as simple as that. That’s why he was taken off.”
Ladapo had received a lot of praise and accolades for his recent performances, which included him getting six goals in as many games in October.
Adams said: “He was player of the month, and you don’t become player of the month without doing things well, but today he wasn’t doing things well.
“He gave away one of the free-kicks before they scored a goal. He gave another free-kick away when we were on the front foot.
“He has scored goals for us and he has done well but you have to take criticism, and take the positives, as it comes along.”
Ness had suffered a calf strain in the 1-0 FA Cup first round win against Stevenage at Home Park the previous Saturday.
He was a doubt before the game at Luton but started it, only to be taken off in the 35 minute and replaced by Taylor.
Adams said: “Jamie Ness felt he was okay and did play but was limping a bit and it just looked like he was going to pull up again and we had to get him off quite quickly.”
Argyle went into the match without Conor Grant, who has impressed at left-back in recent matches.
Grant had not trained all week after suffering a calf injury against Stevenage and his place in the team at Luton was taken by Ashley Smith-Brown.
