So, in short, What's happened?

Well who better to explain then Matt Slatter from the BBC, with a succinct account of what's happening to PAFC and the implications for football.

Away FC Bournemouth

Argyle and Bournemouth have agreed to rearrange their postponed Boxing Day fixture to Saturday 8 January subject to FL approval. That's pretty quick!

2 Down...

BBC Spotlight have reported that Sir Roy Gardener is the second member of the NWO to walk away from Argyle, following Keith Todd's forthcoming departure. Now, who truthfully did not see this coming when Russia was announced host of World Cup 2012? The NWO's dreams were founded on England winning WC2012 and Plymouth's host city status; now that has crumbled, the slow running down of PAFC and dodgy dealings have become too much, or become too boring, for those who's money making dreams have gone down the pan. Argyle are never going to generate revenue, and the fat cats are bailing out.

According to the BBC, Gardener has resigned as a protest over changes to the board.

Ridsy Back In?

Peter Ridsdale could be back on the Argyle bandwagon following the forthcoming departure of Todd -a 'lifelong Argyle supporter' - and reinstatement of Stapleton as Executive Director. So going back to plan B1? It's all very confusing.

Fans help out Again

To enable the free buses to run for the next two home games, the PA Supporters Club has paid Citybus out of their own pocket. Yet again the Green Army pull together to shame the NWO to keep the basics of the club afloat, whilst the shambles continues all around.

UnBoxing Day

The game verses AFC Bournemouth was called off following a pitch inspection today. Another game to add to the postponement stack that may or may not get paid depending on whether Argyle exist by then.

1 Down...

Keith Todd is leaving Argyle as Executive Director come 1 January, with Stapleton resuming control. 1 down, 6 more to go. Although the return of Stapleton will further split the Green Army, those who hail him as a hero from the McCaughly ashes and those who castigate him for bring about this mess in the first place.

Blue Christmas

Argyle have now received their 4th winding up order from HMRC, this time against PAFC Holdings Ltd, to be heard in court in January, ahead of the ones received in the last few months. Argyle hope to petition the judge to hear all 3 at the same time in February, however this is looking decidedly dodgy. For the cub to receive 3 orders within a matter of months means that the ghost of PAFC future could well come true and end up in the graveyard; no remorse from the NWO and a turkey on Christmas Day will sway the taxman. Apparently the staff at Argyle have finally been paid, along with the 2 grand donation from fans, but even this is too little too late for the NWO. Such incompetence now means that youngster Connor Clifford is unable to stay for the arranged loan extension, meaning a much weaker team to field. For many fans have turned against the board after giving them the benefit of the doubt and a 4th winding up order is too much to stomach and extremely frustrating and yet the silence from Home Park is deafening. Argyle may no longer exist in 2011.

Wright-Phillips holds the key to Argyle’s hopes

When Plymouth travel to south coast rivals Bournemouth on Boxing Day, it will be the Pilgrims' first match for 15 days. Peter Reid's men will need to be prepared for a action when Christmas Day has been and gone, the club face a hectic nine days in which they'll play four times.

By the time the busy festive period is over, Plymouth will be hoping to be in and around the play-off places and ready to mount a serious push for promotion in the second half of the season. The continued prolific goal-scoring form of Bradley Wright-Phillips could be integral to any success enjoyed by the Green Army in 2011 and the football odds reflect this.

The former Southampton striker leads the League One goal charts with 12 goals and has been one of the biggest positives for Plymouth in what has been a disappointing opening half of the current campaign. Wright-Phillips was in deadly form in his team’s last game, the 2-0 Devonshire derby against Exeter on November 11th, scoring twice to give the Pilgrims the bragging rights.

There is sure to be Championship interest in Wright-Phillips when the January transfer window opens and Plymouth could be tested with the current financial troubles at the club. If the striker can continue scoring regularly then it will give the club the best chance of climbing this league. The Green Army will be hoping those in charge of the club see Wright-Phillip's goals as the best chance of returning to the Championship.

Peter Reid will already be on the lookout for another forward after Rory Fallon joined Ipswich last month and the Plymouth manager will be hoping he doesn’t have to find a replacement for Wright-Phillips. The striker and Craig Noone have been the club's stand-out players this season and keeping hold of the two key players could be the best bit of business Reid could hope to take care of.

With the season nearing the halfway point, Plymouth find themselves much lower in the table than they would have been hoping for at the start of the campaign, lying 15th in the table. With League One following the trend of English football this season, Plymouth may be nearer the bottom of the table than the top but they are only eight points behind second placed Sheffield Wednesday. A decent winning run and Plymouth are certainly right back amongst the race for promotion.

Meanwhile, some people still make Middlesbrough betting tips to drop down into League One next season.

The side have struggled so far and another relegation battle looks very much on the cards.

Leyton Offient

Tomorrow's game verses Leyton Orient has been postponed due to the severe weather conditions.

Ridsy Out

So even Ridsdale won't touch Argyle with a badge pole. Many saw this as the only chance, others were cringing at the thought of him taking over. But if Ridsy won't touch us, who will? And why won't he? Have the board got a plan C now?

Whip Round

Apparently, though I didn't see it, there was a bucket collection on Saturday to pay towards the office staff's wages, for which they are eternal grateful. How embarrassing for the board that the staff are grateful to the fans for donating money for a everyday business transaction? And if they are, too bloody right, that the so called NWO - the supposed rich kids - cannot even stump up the cash for those that run their club. Add in Reid's personal donation towards heating, in spite himself not being paid for two months, and the board's faces should be so warm that Plymouth, if not the South West, won't get a hint of snow this Christmas.

Bradley Wright-Phillips

He's better than Shaun.

Top scorer in League One.

Odds on to leave in January?

They're not Getting Paid

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 0 Exeter City

...That's how much it means to them, they're not getting paid.

So take that Exeter, revenge is so sweet after knocking us out of the JPT, this is where it matters. Although a run in a cup, any cup, would have been good for income, the state that Argyle are in at the moment means they can ill afford to concentrate on anything but survival as a club. And such a fact must have rubbed off on the players and for once they seemed to give it their all. And they must have learnt how much the local derby means to the Green Army following the poor JPT performance. The off pitch entertainment was not as interesting this time following the police crack down, even so someone did manage to get on to the pitch. Though how much income from today has been swallowed up by the iron fist? On a purely emotional footing it's bloody fantastic, on a rational footing, what will happen next

Plymouth hope derby win can lift spirits

At the moment, there can't be many other clubs in as depressed a state as Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims are 17th in League One and face the prospect of having to sell their best players in the January transfer window to pay off their £760,000 tax bill to HM Revenue and Customs. All the negativity currently at the club could be lifted significantly by a Devon derby win this weekend against Exeter, something the football odds suggest could happen.

It will be the first league meeting between the two sides since February 2002, although they did meet in the Johnstone's Paint trophy four weeks ago. On that occasion, Exeter got the better of the Pilgrims with a last minute winner to, although the game was marred by crowd trouble following the final whistle.

Peter Reid's side will go into the match on the back of their last league match which was a morale boosting 2-1 win over Dagenham and Redbridge. The victory came after Plymouth had lost four games on the trot, starting with the Exeter loss last month.

The Dagenham win came after Plymouth had gone 1-0 down after ten minutes. Captain Craig Noone got his side back into the contest just after the hour mark with a fine solo goal before Rory Patterson grabbed the winner with seven minutes left on the clock and anyone who had placed a football bet on the Pilgrims to win would have been delighted.

Plymouth will be boosted by the return to action of Jim Paterson, who has been sidelined for the past two months with a hamstring injury. The 31-year-old left-sided player has returned to full training and is desperate to be involved in what promises to be a fiery encounter.

"I have trained for the last two weeks at normal match tempo and, fitness-wise, I'm feeling fine. I would love to be involved this Saturday. I played for Dundee United in derby matches and they are special occasions," he said.

The return of the experienced Paterson should give the whole team a confidence boost in what can be called a must win game for The Green Army. Not only a bragging rights up for grabs, if Plymouth still have hopes of promotion then they need to start producing consistent results and sharpish.

Procrastination

So Argyle have sucessfully appealed to HMRC to defer the debt owed by 63 days. In one way such a decision is good because it should give the NWO chance to sort the place out, on the other hand it just means the prospect of the same thing happening again more. If the club don't have the finances now, how are they going to have them then? Except of course the nu-saviour Ridsdale is hovering, and so are the supporters' trust. January's fire sales will come and go as usual, so will the Exeter game - which could yield the biggest income of the year, only to be swallowed by the police bill - and also the potentially poor performances, because Reid will have no one but the current squad (minus a few) to work with, and that ain't worked so far. In short, Argyle are still in the shit.

Building Trust

The fans' supporters' trust that is underdevelopment have launched a website at
http://www.argyletrust.com/

Blessing or a Curse

They say a week is a long time in politics, but when politics and football collide it can be even longer. On Thursday the world held its breath for 30 extra minutes before it was revealed that Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup and 10 seconds before the New World Order's dreams shattered to pieces. So what happens now? The NWO have publicly put all their eggs in to the one WC basket as a cure-all for Argyles woes. This week came the revelations came out that no staff have been paid and the club's bank accounts have been frozen, add in the problems with paying the police bill for the Exeter league game, the postponement of the MK Dons game due to the weather, it's been a rough ride.

Argyle go before the High Court next Wednesday for the hearing regarding the winding up order. There has been no indication of a plan B for the Greens from the NWO, and even now no one has categorically stated what will happen to save the club. Now some supporters have taken things into their own hands by reestablishing the supporters' trust, with the first meeting before the Exeter game - should it go ahead. As Argyle may not be able to meet the extra policing costs due to the combined mix up of the JPT game, there are options of calling the game off (incurring a fine), playing behind closed doors (losing all revenue) or playing without Exeter supporters present (losing some revenue). All three options mean Argyle lose out on precious income that, come next Wednesday, could be extremely important.

The lead up to Thursday's decision was hailed by the NWO as the be all and end all, now that FIFA have snubbed England with just 2 votes - and don't forget Plymouth may not have even been a host city even if the bid was successful - it's crunch time for the NWO. If, as some believe they are just property developers, will the lack of opportunity to develop mean they leave, or do they now concentrate on actually building a footballing team? Wednesday 8th is the next big day for Argyle. What will the next twist be?

Ridsdale does little to ease fans fears

After playing his part in the dramatic collapse of Leeds United at the start of the last decade Peter Ridsdale has struggled to shake off a reputation for guiding football clubs into inescapable debt.

Ridsdale always denies he solely is to blame for United’s stunning drop down the divisions but since moving to Barnsley and Cardiff, who have both suffered severe financial difficulties as well, his
reputation has been permanently tarnished.

So I’m guessing the sight of Ridsdale heading down to the South Coast for talks with Plymouth will not fill Argyle fans that often follow their live match score with joy. The Yorkshireman met board members this week to discuss potential investment in the stricken South Coast club.

But, given a third winding up order has been issued to Argyle inside a year and with players and staff a like going unpaid times are bleak. Perhaps fans should be grateful that anyone at all is interested in rescuing the club from financial oblivion?

Peter Reid is doing his best to keep the players focused on the job and using the ensuring crisis to create a ‘siege mentality’ at the club, though the lowest gate of the season against Dagenham on Tuesday (4,960 – lower than the amount of registered season ticket holders) is symbolic of a club in decline. Reid is stuck between shielding the players from the grim realities and having the duty to keep them informed, especially if wages continue to go unpaid. A tricky trip to MK Dons should be at the forefront of their minds this week, despite the chaos swirling around them.

The clock is rapidly ticking towards HRMC’s December 8th deadline and Argyle are running out of options.

If the club can somehow survive this latest winding up order (with or without Ridsdale), and with the tortuous World Cup bid coming to an end this week, maybe we will have a clear idea of where Argyle are heading – with or without the boost of being a World Cup host city.

It would be nice to start focusing solely on football live scores again, but the clock is rapidly ticking towards HRMC’s December 8th deadline and Argyle are running out of options.

Ridsy In?

Allegedly controversial businessman Peter Ridsdale is on board to become the 'saviour' of Plymouth Argyle. Ridsdale has resided over somewhat less salubrious tenures at Leeds United, which saw them dip into 3rd tier football, Barnsley where the club was nearly liquidated, and Cardiff City where he bank rolled others' money leading them to their recent problems. Thus, the news that Peter has potentially joined the board has not sat well with some supporters, although we know nothing about what his position may be, whereas others are saying to give him a chance. At the positions the Pilgrims are in, there is no room to manoeuvre and one wrong step will cause the final plunge.

Getting the Wind Up

So Argyle have had their 3rd winding up order in the past year for yet another unpaid debt to HMRC. The fact that this is the 3rd time the taxman's come knocking is extremely worrying, for even if the debt is paid off, the dire financial state of the club means it'll only be a temporary measure like the last two times. It's obvious that the club cannot support itself. There is so much wrong at Argyle at the moment that there is nothing to be positive about - on and off the pitch. With an embargo on transfers, Argyle'll be looking to shift as many players off the books as soon as possible, and Ridsdale is now hovering above Home Park like a vulture. It's time for all at Home Park to come clean about what they think they are doing.

Fallon out for Pilgrims

One of the silver linings of the current dark financial hanging over Home Park, has been the departure of Rory Fallon, initially on a loan deal at Ipswich with the view to a permanent move. Ipswich manager Roy Keane has moved to take Fallon to Portman Road in a bid to solve his side's lack of goals.

Plymouth boss Peter Reid said: "I've decided to let Rory go out with a view to a permanent move when the transfer window kicks in January. We'll be actively seeking a replacement. It's a great opportunity for Rory and I'm sure he'll thrive in the Championship environment."

If it's a prolific goalscorer that Keane wants then he may want to keep looking, Fallon has just one to his name so far this season and his record for Plymouth is 19 goals in a 141 appearances, pretty decent for a left-back but not so impressive for an international striker. The football odds don't suggest he'll be pushing for top scorer this season.

Plymouth will be relieved to have shed one of their highest earners from the wage bill but Reid will need to bring in someone to help Bradley Wright-Phillips with the responsibility of scoring goals. The former Southampton forward is the club's leading scorer this year with ten goals.

If Plymouth want to start climbing the table they are going to need more than just one source of goals but the market is hardly full of cheap goalscorers. Reid does have a couple of decent youngsters at the club in the shape of Rory Patterson and Joe Mason but will be looking to add an experienced striker to provide him with options. Anyone who has placed a football bet on the Pilgrims going up will be hoping the goals start flying in soon.

If this Plymouth side are going to have any chance of salvaging anything from this season then they are going to have to start putting a run together, starting next game at Stadium MK. If The Pilgrims can come through this hectic Christmas period and put some wins together, then they could mount a promotion push in the New Year.

Although it's been a tough season so far, Plymouth fans need to have faith in what is still a talented squad for this division. If the Green Army can get behind their team then all might not be lost yet.

Light at the end of the tunnel for Plymouth

Plymouth Argyle are having a tough time of it at present, currently languishing in 15th place in League One and with some well-publicised financial issues. But it seems that they may well be a ray of light on the horizon on both fronts - a gritty comeback resulting in a 2-1 win against Dagenham and Redbridge this weekend has stemmed the run of four losses, and the news this week that Peter Ridsdale is in talks to potentially arrange a lifeline for the debt-stricken club.

A club statement read: "Peter Ridsdale has extensive experience in football and is just one of a number of parties that we have undertaken exploratory discussions with regard to potential future investment."

Despite being watched by their lowest gate of the season, 4,890 fans, their most recent victory was a fine example of the grit and determination that the Pilgrims will have to show if they are to defy the critics and make a move up the table towards the play-off positions. Despite going behind to a well taken goal from Gavin Tomlin, influential captain Craig Noon rallied his men and scored a classy equaliser, before Rory Patterson nicked the winner with less than ten minutes to go to hand The Pilgrims a morale boosting three points, although anyone looking to place a football bet probably wouldn't back the side for promotion.

Just when things looked to be getting better a winding up petition has now been placed on the club by HM Revenue and Customs. It is the second time in consecutive seasons that this action has been taken against the club and Peter Reid's side will need to put the financial troubles out of their head and focus on matters on the field. The side were many people's pre-season football tips for promotion, but they won't ever live up to expectations until things are sorted.

But the players must take their minds off the financial aspect of the game and focus instead on the run of fixtures they have before them. With games coming up against MK Dons, Exeter and Leyton Orient, they cannot afford to let off-field issues distract them – the only thing they can do to ease the club's plight is win games, and with Bradley Wright-Phillips enjoying good form, they have every chance of turning things around.

Shock and Awe

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 1 Dagenham and Redbridge

Bloody hell! Argyle won. How many of the Green Army thought that would happen. Not many judging by the lowest crowd that turned out to watch on Tuesday night. It's hard to know what to say, as such a result is totally out of the blue, and we know only to enjoying while we can as next week, who knows what might happen!

Run out of Oomph

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Brentford

Following another rallying call by the present incumbents of the board, once again Argyle have been a let down with yet another totally uninspiring game. If you read around the Argyle fan sites, so many of the Green Army have run out of steam in their support for the Pilgrims, that they just don't see the point. And it looks like the players haven't. Now compare Reid to Redknapp who was in a worse position, trailing 2-0 but inspired a 2-3 come second half win, to a 1-1 draw that lapsed to a 1-2 defeat. Management style? Money? Players? Attitude? All lacking at Home Park and have turned the once faithful 12th man against the very people who they supported through thick and thin. But thin has become too thin for some, how many times can a match report include the words 'we are shit'?

Stan

Read this on PASOTI courtesy of Devonportender:

My team's gone bad I'm wondering why I..
got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window..
and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey,
but my Argyle picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it's not so bad,
it's not so bad..

Dear Reidy, I came but you still ain't winnin
I left my voice, my heart, and my dreams all at the stadium
You said you wanted a striker back in autumn, you must not-a got em
There probably was a problem with the WAG’s or something
Sometimes I wonder what’s with N’Gala? I just don’t get him
Jumpin around like a fish out of water, confidence shot, it’s a real sin!
Whats whit Clark too, ok on the right but on the other!
Always out of position, what's the point? Why bother?
Don’t even get me started on Rory Fallon.
I read about your midfield too I'm sorry
It took real courage to come out with Nelson in the middle.
I know you probably hear this everyday, but I'm your biggest fan
I even liked you when we lost 1-0 at Tranmere man,
I got a room full of your posters and your pictures n’ that
I like the shit you did with City & Sunderland too, that shit was phat
Anyways, I’m tryin' real hard to believe,
Then you go and tell us Parrott wants to leave
just to win, three points before December, your biggest fan
This is Devonportender

My team's gone bad I'm wondering why I..
got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window..
and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey,
but my Argyle picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it's not so bad,
it's not so bad..

Dear Sir Roy, you still ain't spoke or wrote, I hope you have a chance
I ain't mad - I just think it's messed Up you don't answer fans
If you didn't wanna talk to me outside your car
you didn't have to, but you coulda signed an autograph for my Ma
Where’s the millions man, you’ve only spent a few
We turned up in our thousand for you,
four cup games and we’ve just won one
That's pretty shitty man - you're Chairman sort it out
We wants to be just like you man, we likes Argyle like you
I ain't that mad though, I just don't like being lied to
Remember when you joined us - you said if we turned up
you would invest in the team - see I remember in a way
I never seen Simon Walton play;
he used to be rated by Charlton in the Premiership I hear
I can relate to that if he turns it on down here
so we need some more midfielders, and we need to bring 'em on
cause I don't really rate what we’ve got, watchin' them makes me so depressed
I even got a tattoo of Argyle across my chest
Sometimes I even watch other teams to see how much it hurts
It's like adrenaline, the pain is such a sudden rush for me
Wanna believe everything you say is real, and respect you cause you tell it
My girlfriend's jealous cause I think about Argyle 24/7
But she don't know football like I know football Sir Roy, no one does
She don't know what it was like for people like us growin' up
You gotta tell us man, I'll be the biggest fan you'll ever lose
Where’s the money Sir Roy -- P.S.
We should be winning too

My team's gone bad I'm wondering why I..
got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window..
and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey,
but my Argyle picture on my wall
It reminds me, that it's not so bad,
it's not so bad..

Encore les Francais

After a long time, Argyle have finally managed to sign French defender Stephane Zubar following political wranglings with his former club. The 23 year old full back initially joined the Greens back in August but could not get international clearance to play. A mate for Larrieu even if he cannot help break Argyle's poor achievement.

Tran-mare

Tranmere Rovers 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Crap, crapper, crappest. Argyle must have only played about 10 minutes of the game, surprised they even bothered to turn up. And to let a player run most of the pitch unchallenged and score is unforgivable. But at least they still pick up their wages, win lose or draw. Again, is Reid up to the job? Some managers can make a silk purse from a sow's ear and work with very little, but it appears that without the financial backing that Argyle cannot offer, Reid is unable to work with shit. Luckily there still are shitter teams in the league, but without a major turnaround - which looks very unlikely save for the odd phenomenal win - the Greens will sink again without a trace. One team in Devon? Exeter look very likely to take that crown now.

Tuesday's Entertainment

Well it certainly wasn't the football that was entertaining on Tuesday, but the behaviour of the 'crowd' of 9,500, most of who ended up stood/sat/propped up in blocks 15-17. Police are still reviewing CCTV footage from the game before the league match to identify the troublemakers who, amongst other things, threw a flare on the pitch, knocked out cold a steward and bricked the Exeter coaches. Trouble flared up again after the match with run ins between Devon and Cornwall's boys in blue and supporters as the police attempted to disperse the crowd around the stadium, with several clashes on the way up Outland Road.

There has always been an element amongst football supporters that were out for a ruck - look at Millwall who can't go a week without a clash - , and the serious underestimation of what the match by the club and the police was shocking - supporters were not searched on the way in, they were allowed to congregate in zoo corner anywhere they could get and both sets of fans were allowed to leave the stadium together even though many of the Exeter stayed behind. The first tasty fixture between Argyle and City is bound to have caused anyone to call the possibility of a clash between old rivals, however it was only a Cat A match. Yet PAFC are perfectly happy with the situation. So far there have been 20 arrests amongst Argyle fans.

Now many other Argyle supporters who went watched a dire game and left disgruntled and it will only ever be the minority who give the majority a bad name, but in football you have to expect such occurrences to happen and between two bitter rivals to think otherwise is totally naive. If only it was the JPT, a little intelligence over the blatant goading online before the game at least would have told you something. The next meeting in a few weeks time should see and iron fist brought down over Home Park at the limitation of the freedom of the majority. Though not many can not feel a slight smugness at the way the Exeter shit themselves when faced with their farewell.

Devil in Disguise

With the tide turning against the New World, maybe it's time to bring this post back from 2009.

Better the Devil you Know?

Well the time is nearly here. The wish of some Argyle fans as the Japanese are coming. Since the announcement last year that K&K had bought a share of the club there has been derision that nothing has happened. Couple that with the poor season results in "board out!" It could soon happen, as the Japanese are in town and are in "take over" discussions. Is this what we really want?

On the one hand, yes, it means hopefully more money to build a decent a team again and the chance of completing the stadium. If the current board has run its course then a new broom is needed at Home Park.

But at what price?

Earlier this week I spend Easter in the presence of a QPR fan who decries the situation at Loftus Road caused by a 'saviour board' who have been little but. Without repeating some of the problems he and his fellow Hoops have seen, but the potential for a new board to chance the face of Argyle as we know it should be a cause for concern.

So it is a crossroads moment for Argyle and its fans, four options: go for it and it works, go for it and it ends up shite, do nothing and it's fine, do nothing and we're buggered. I know which 2 I would prefer.

http://green-army.blogspot.com/2009/04/better-devil-you-know.html

He who laughs Last

What proclamations were made so far by the seasoned Argyle fans?

We'll win the JPT easy
We'll be promoted easy
We'll beat Exeter easy
We'll be through the FA Cup easy
We'll get through the League Cup easy

Any budding soothsayers out there?

Minnie Mouse Trophy

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Exeter City

>Tirade of 4 letter words that your Gran should not really hear<

Absolutely shameful. That's all three cup games that Argyle have thrown away now and all with exceptionally poor performances. Getting beaten tonight against Exeter in the JPL is the lowest of the low and everyone should hang their heads. Reid has not come up with the right goods, and as the last few matches have proven, he is not capable of leading such a dire team. And I wasted £15 on a last minute loss of mind to go.

No Buses

Due to total panic over the Exeter game and their fans, there will be NO football specials running on Tuesday night.

http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~2209382,00.html

Mickey Mouse Cup

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 4 Swindon Town

The FA Cup, the greatest cup game in the football league, and yet Argyle treat it as a hindrance rather than an opportunity. The Greens don't have a good history of cup games, usually losing in the first game they play (except for some exceptional years), and yet even though they've dropped out of the automatic 3rd round entry, they can't even muster up enough passion to get past round 1. Pathetic. A terrible performance, that once again was hampered by ill discipline in the squad when Parratt got a straight red, who should receive the same derision as N'Gala and Arnasson. There is very little to be said and many of the Green Army will feel they wasted valuable time and money today. Argyle play Exeter in the JPT on Tuesday, the first time the teams have met in years, and now such a result will hang like a black rain cloud over the game. Expect another loss.

Plan B, no C, wait.... D, E?

The Argyle board have become so entrenched in the World Cup bid as the answer to all woes, what happens if it doesn't materialise? England's bid looks in doubt now following the exposure of alleged corruption within FIFA earlier in the year. Initially it was stated that there would be no backlash, but now it appears that FIFA are taking umbrage. Blatter wondered whether such an action is appropriate, trying to set traps for people. It is a deeply rooted problem with the English media. And Blatter is not England's biggest fan by a longs shot.

So, what is plan B, C, D, E... for Argyle? Already it appears that the stadium redevelopment has been delayed yet again, the chances of players being sold willy-nilly in January is inevitable (is it any wonder Wright-Philips is scoring for fun in the shop window now?), and there appears nothing else on the horizon. Can we suspect that there isn't anything?

Rovers Return

Plymouth Argyle 3 - 1 Bristol Rovers

The unpredictable Argyle strike again with a superb game from the men in green, including 3 strikes of the woodwork within 15 minutes and a disallowed goal. Although Argyle do their trademark concession within a few minutes of scoring. Even though the mainstay of the team consisted of new pairings at central defence and midfield with 3 youngsters, the players had obviously clicked, although there was a comedic amount of errors in play throughout the game. Chelsea's Clifford made an impact and recently belittled Spurs player Parrett opened the scoring with a long-range volley, whilst Wright-Philips is now scoring for fun. Though one wonders how much longer he'll be at the club; is he scoring to gain interest from others? The result lands Argyle (temporarily?) highest in the league above Exeter and Yeovil. After the disappointing scoreline finish on Saturday, yesterday was something to be cheerful about. Will Argyle sustain the momentum? From past experience, the chances are very low.

A Pilgrim's Enterprise

Ever wished you could watch a match that wasn't shown on Sky or ESPN? Well 6 years ago an Argyle fan thought the same thing and set up a subscription website to manage all the free internet streamed games into one place.

http://www.livefootball.net have access to every Premiership game being played, as well as every Champions League game, every game from the Europa League featuring British sides, all Home Nation Internationals, and selected games from the FA Cup, Carling Cup, SPL, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, and Football League for £7.95 a year. And all by an Argyle fan. Do you think he could invest in the team?

Team Games

Reid has been scaving in his Oldham match reports against who he believes caused the loss on Saturday - ie N'Gala and Arnason. Argyle's match discipline seems to be going down hill, but getting sometimes needless red cards, especially after you're already 1 man down, is very foolish. Although it can seem easy to get carded in a game depending in the referee, it can be even easier if you go looking for trouble. Even if players can get away with it (even then only the top 4 seem to have some unwritten immunity) sometimes, to push a ref who is already in a trigger happy mood is not worth it. Additionally it puts extra work on your team mates who have to soldier on without you, not just in this match but the next one when you're suspended. Although teams can sometimes capitalise on the fact by putting in extra effort - like Argyle did, and Spurs v Inter - ultimately the games usually end in 3 points lost. N'Gala and Arnason did little to help their team mates on Saturday.

Trick or Treat

Oldham 4 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

What to make of the game that saw Argyle play for 50 minutes with 9 men, 85 ish with 10 and only let in 4 goals, 2 in added time after being 2-1 up. A plucky brave performance or a relegation zone producing result due to a poorly disciplined team? I really don't know. The Oldham fans must have felt it was a worthy performance as they applauded the Greens off the pitch, and not may teams would have continued on the attack after losing only one man, which is a testament to Reid's tactics at the time. It certainly will divide the Green Army further; how many key games will they look back on and say 'if only'?

Little and large works out for Plymouth

The Pilgrims ended their run of three games without a win with their 2-1 win over Huddersfield last weekend. The stars of the show for Plymouth was the little and large combination up front, with Rory Fallon and Bradley Wright-Phillips linking for both goals that gave Peter Reid's team a much needed win against their fellow promotion seekers.

Fallon, making only his second appearance of the season after a hernia operation, headed the ball into the path of his strike partner Wright-Phillips to open the scoring for the Green Army in the 16th minute. The Terriers grabbed an equaliser through Anthony Pilkington three minutes later.

Plymouth's winner was a carbon copy of their first, a long ball forward was again nodded on by Fallon allowing Wright-Phillips to slot home his seventh goal of the season. Peter Reid's men hung on for the all important win, taking them up to 17th in the League One table on 16 points.

After a disappointing start to their first season back in the third tier of English football, the Green Army will be hoping this win is the springboard for their side to start climbing the league in their attempt to bounce back into the Championship at the first time of asking. The football odds suggest this is still a possibility.
This Plymouth squad is very capable of if not winning this league then at least finishing second. Apart from perhaps Southampton, no other club in this league have a squad who can really match Reid's and the manager will need to carry on winning if he is to match the preseason expectations.

The quality of the squad is evident up front and if Fallon and Wright-Phillips can keep linking up and producing goals for their side then the Andy Gray tips suggest the Pilgrims will soon be challenging those promotion places.

With Brighton looking to be the side everyone will be chasing this season, Plymouth will be one of a number of sides hunting that second place position. They will need to carry the form shown against Huddersfield on into their next match this weekend when they travel up to 13th place Oldham.

FA Cup Round 1

Plymouth Argyle v Swindon Town
6 November

Can't really expect anything now we're back in this round of the Cup, possibly an actual win though!

Spark of Hope

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 0 Huddersfield Town

Well who would have thought that would happen? A six-time changed team by Reid beat a top half team; although Argyle have a habit of getting results against the hard teams and falling to the weaker ones, as well as being the only winning Westcountry side this weekend. (And I must admit now that I was in two minds cos I've got a big bet on with a mate that Huddersfield will be higher in the table than Southampton come Christmas Day. Guess who won as well yesterday.) Wright-Philips was the hero of the hour, netting twice after pairing up with Fallon who headed Button's long punts to his striker partner. Although Fallon was unlucky not to get on the score sheet himself when his goal was written off by ref Russell. Shame that Town had to reply almost straight from the restart of Wright-Phillip's first goal to equalise, although that is another Argyle speciality. However, it's a welcome shock to some of the Green Army, especially as the win came at home, and as always it's good to enjoy the win.

Argyle set to be sustainable

Despite Plymouth's poor start to the season leaving them just one point away above the relegation places, executive director Keith Todd has suggested that things will soon be looking up for the club.

Having given his full backing to manager Peter Reid, a man who he believes has done an excellent job so far in difficult circumstances, Todd has now claimed Plymouth will be able to reduce their high wage bill at the end of the season.

This would allow the manager to rebuild the squad and mould it into one that is sustainable in terms of cost, but also capable of lifting the side out of League One and on the road to the long journey back up the divisions, something the football betting suggests they won't be doing this term.

However, in the short term, Argyle and the club's fans need to focus on turning their season around and ensuring they do not spend too long hanging around the drop zone into League Two.

If Plymouth can do the very least expected of them by their passionate fans and achieve mid-table security sooner rather than later, the club has a manager who can guide them to bigger and better things, as long as he is given a fair spell of time in charge.

In the meantime, Argyle fans need to hope that England win the right to host the 2018 World Cup so the club can carry out its plans to build a new stadium.
Meanwhile, some people are now making Middlesbrough betting tips to slide down into League One next season.

The side had started the Championship as one of the favourites for promotion, but they have failed to shine under Gordon Strachan.

Dull Green

Notts County 2 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Nothing to report here. Bad defending, poor play, players out of position, no attack, one shot in goal (from Parret who apart from this one event has gone from Spurs newbie to inept chicken in just a few games), a very uncomfortable game. Reid says he's disappointed with the result, the Green Army are furious.

The Wrong Noises?

A couple of articles appeared in the Plymouth Herald this week that make potentially worrying reading.

1. The non-investment from Japan

Argyle's biggest shareholder Kagami, Japanese multi-millionare has failed to invest anything in the last 15 months since he took majority of shares, save the initial share investment.

Although he is under no obligation really to, anyone can invest a lump sum of shares at the start and sit on it/them until they bring a return.

Keith Todd says that he would have anticipated more anticipation than that which has been forthcoming, however the purported £1million loan was never offered in the first place. The only thing that has happened is the "making [of] some introductions to some of their wider relationships"

In the same interview, Keith Todd answered questions regarding the club's finanical situation, in particularly administration, where by the alluded to the fact that the club's income is down ("It's no secret we got relegated and lost the best part of £3 million of income from TV rights. We have also got a squad size that is very large, [...] one thing about the football business is it's a fixed-cost base and a variable income stream. So that puts lots of pressures onto the financial position of any club.") and that the board do not believe administration is the right path to take, though it's not ruled out completely.

This really only confirms what we know already regarding the loss of income. However the board's determination not to go into administration is a good things surely? Even though they haven't ruled it out entirely, it's better to battle against that go with the flow. But, again, as known is the commitment t the Home Park/Central park development, this is what is suspected by many as taking the forefront of all dealings.

2. The selling club

Nothing's changed. Come the end of their contracts, players will be sold off to balance the books, although Todd has only alluded to out of contract players (ie the summer transfer window).

However, there is the January window yet to come and if the club are still desperate, then it can be guaranteed that some of the family silver will leave come the new year.

3. Home Park/Central Park development

As mentioned in Todd's interview, the HP/CP development is of high priority. Todd states that the conformation of the England 2018 bid would help to "clear a lot of air", although Argyle would have to wait until 2013 to find out if it was actually a host city. Todd has been in discussion with AEG over the management of the stadium, which could be sold to Plymouth Argyle Holdings Ltd. The application has yet to go before Plymouth City Council even though it was announced a few months ago, caused local consternation and allowed PCC to publish their own, more subtle, plan for Home Park.

Even so, the World Cup bid is the lynch-pin to all this, not once did Todd mention what would happen if England fail the bid, and if Plymouth then fail their bid. Neither has the prospect of what may happen if Argyle are relegated again, fail to be promoted or if club income does not improve.

Plymouth looking for a springboard

Following last season's disappointing relegation to League One after a six year stint in England's second tier of English football, Plymouth Argyle are desperate for a swift return to the Championship.

On the face of it, The Mariners' plight appears to be something of a desperate one. A 23rd place finish last season followed by a disappointing start this term might suggest that this is a club on the slide, and the news of the planned sale of their stadium, Home Park, to property investors will do little to allay these fears. However, the truth may not be quite so bleak, even if the football tips don't offer much solace.

The Plymouth board are hopeful that the sale of the ground will "significantly enhance" their ability to raise the funding for the £50 million proposed stadium development, which they need if it is to be a 2018 World Cup venue. With Plymouth on the official list of potential host cities, the stadium will need to have its capacity increased to create other leisure facilities around the ground, including a 5,000-seater arena and conferencing space.

In terms of experience and motivation, they couldn't wish for a better manager to see them through these trying times. In Peter Reid they have a manager with both Premiership and international pedigree, having previously been in charge at Sunderland, Manchester City and Leeds, as well as coaching the Thai national team.

Although results this season have been disappointing, Reid knows that a league campaign is a marathon, not a sprint. In fact, had Charlton not scored a slightly fortunate last-minute equaliser at the weekend, Plymouth would find themselves safely nestled in mid-table, nicely poised behind the clubs in the play-off positions.

Their squad is certainly strong enough to be eyeing promotion this season with a number internationals plying their trade at the club. Currently on the books are Carl Fletcher of Wales, Kari Arnason of Iceland, Joe Mason of the Republic of Ireland, Onismor Bhasera of Zimbabwe and Rory Fallon - the Kiwi who represented his country at this summer's World Cup.

Fallon's return to fitness following a spell on the sidelines through injury will be great news, and to have him back and partnering in-form striker, Bradley Wright-Phillips, will serve as a much needed boost. The club's position is not hopeless, just look at the Leeds United betting, they were in League One last season and are pushing for the Premier League this season.

Hopefully for Plymouth, the voyage back up the leagues will start this season - preferably with three points against Notts County this weekend.

Not a Loss at Home

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 2 Charlton Athletic

Well it wasn't a loss, especially considering the odds against a win - home game and a win the previous match. But even so it's 2 points lost rather than 1 gained as there's not a lot to be said that hasn't been said before - defence, performance, match fitness, loss of concentration after conceding... the usual. The things that never change. The reason for relegation, the loss of crowds. The Argyle mentality?

The train now standing on Platform 2

Following on from last year's travel deal with First Great Western, the Supporters' Special Train Fares scheme has been extended.

The "Plymouth Argyle Fans Fare" (which needs to be asked for specifically) is valid for return journeys on High Sped Train journeys for £6.00 in Devon and Cornwall, or £10 from Taunton. Those travelling from Torbay can get a local train for £5.00.

The tickets are only available on FGW HSTs that stop at the following stations:

Southbound Route

Taunton
Tiverton Parkway
Exeter St Davids
Newton Abbot
Totnes
Plymouth

Northbound Route
Penzance
St Erth
Camborne
Redruth
Truro
St Austell
Par
Liskeard
Plymouth

Gloss or Matt?

3rd round of Johnstone's Paint Trophy draw:

Northern Section

Carlisle United v Crewe Alexandra
Rotherham United v Huddersfield Town
Bury v Accrington Stanley / Stockport County (TBC)
Sheffield Wednesday v Hartlepool United

Southern Section

Swindon Town v Brentford
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City
Southend United v Charlton Athletic
Wycombe Wanderers v Bristol Rovers

To be played in the week commencing 8th November.

A banana skin or a good draw? Certainly a few years ago it would have been classified as a good local derby draw.

The Taxman Commeth?

Plymouth Argyle have allegedly denied that HMRC are seeking to issue another winding up order to the club. This revelation comes following the well publicised winding up order at the beginning of the year, meaning a possible two occassions when the club has incurred severe debt to HMRC (or even not paid off the original debt in the first place).

Ever since the first order there have been rumours that the club is on the brink of administration, and the possibility of a second only adds fuel to the fire. The New World order was meant to be a brand new dawn for the club following the careful-careful Stapleton years that kept the club in the black at the expense of the players, but now we're still not seeing investment in football but property development and the World Cup. Back in April 2009 I asked whether the NWO was the right move as change is not always what you'd hope it to be. So far those who were cautious appear to have been proved right.

Progressive Paint

Cheltenham 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle [JPT]

Blimey, Argyle have progressed through a round of a cup competition. Ignoring the bye in the first round of course. The Greens were on the road to League 2 Cheltenham to book their place in the quarter finals of the southern division of the JPT. Reid had made 6 changes to his league team and thus the performance on the pitch bore a certain sheen with MacLean and Noone netting the ball in each half. But then again surely it's little task to beat a team in lower divisions, but as Argyle, and many other team, have proved before it's not that simple. The other problem is the divorce of thinking between cup and league games, performances seldom cross competitions; Argyle are not 'too big' to lose the JPT neither are they 'too small' not to.

The area quarters will be played week commencing 8th November, with the draw being made this Saturday.

Norman Stanley?

Fletcher: I'm too famous to sit on a jury
Judge: Have you any convictions or mental health problems?
Fletcher: Yes Sir, I play for Plymouth Argyle

Who'd have Thought it?

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Hartlepool United

Well who would have guessed that? A win away and an immediate loss at home. Where have we seen all this before? Hmm? As much as Tuesday was history repeating over years, today was history repeating over weeks. Fortress Home Park, where we can rely on Argyle to pick up points amid an intimidating atmosphere have long gone, and so have the crowds, passion and excitement. Even if there were only 70 opposition fans, there was a gate of around 7,000 hardy people who probably once again turned up on the back of a win with a little optimism that had been extinguished in familiar style. How many will return after their second let down in as many weeks?

The sign on the Devonport End we all should know should now be altered to read:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE WELCOMES YOU TO THREE POINTS

Just a Little bit of History Repeating

Swindon Town 2 - 3 Plymouth Argyle

Rewind the clock to 2003 and we have a near identical situation at the County Ground. Although it was again looking decidedly dodgy if it weren't for the 7 minutes of added time, Wright-Philips wouldn't have got the 90+6 minute winner.
The boys are starting to play a more decent form of football, though there is still a long way to go yet, as witnessed by the Town's goals which knocked the Greens out of their stride, the reversion to typical Argyle hoofball and the long wait for the winning goal. However there were 14 shots on goal and 9 were on target, which is a good indicator of how the team were playing. Will they be able to continue on, or will they flop against Hartlepool like they did against Brighton? But even so, the Greens have given the Green Army something to smile about this week, which eclipses the negative aspects of the match and takes Argyle a few more steps away from the relegation zone.

Making a Point

Rochdale 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

A semi-decent performance on the road up north, but only a point because the Greens couldn't see out the whole 90 minutes game as they lost their way in the second half. But still it's better than no points. The papers say that based on that performance both sets of fans are in for an enjoyably interesting season, well it certainly hasn't been enjoyable so far. What is evident is that the team are a work in progress, but what you don't really have in football is time.

Ar-Giggle

A throw away reference by a mate (see Gary) that was quite inspired but lost on most of the people around. Argyle have literally become a joke to many. From the lack of ambition that goes back decades, to the poor performances, bad signings and selling off of the good ones. Why does every player that signs for Argyle turn inept at their job, and as soon as they're sold receive the Midas touch? How many ex-Argyle players are now banging in the goals for their new clubs, and even worse how many of them have been against the Greens?

The complete lack of being able to string together any sort of consistency has seen gates yo-yo in what has become predictable of good performance on a low gate - gates rise for the next game, Argyle get stuffed - only this time round the good performances are only flashes in the pan. Plymothians have never been given any reason to be proud of its football club. They came close in the Holloway era but were hesitant. And proven right. Even now if they do turn up, the ticketing situation has become a shambles if you are to read the football forums, and they can't even get in!

The club is systematically being pulled apart on and off the pitch - there is no team effort from players, management or supporters alike. But then again, has much actually really changed?

Hit and Miss

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 2 Brighton and Hove Albion

Well that didn't last long did it? As usual. Normal service has been resumed at Home Park.
How can the same team that produced a win and good play just 3 days earlier go out on to the same pitch and play like complete wassocks? But then again this is an all to familiar routine that any of the Green Army should by now be familiar with, and will probably spell another run of bad results.
Reid is obviously incapable of doing anything worthwhile with the squad we have at the moment, and we're once again in the same situation of manager v squad ("Give him time", "Oops it's too late now") caused by Sturrock part II's destructive forces. Will Reid eventually come good with the team, will he leave, are we doomed to death with a bunch of inadequate players for years to come, will someone eventually sign our shite to another club? There are too many possibilities that in the short term are not helping the club's situation. Because we all know that it's the results (and money) that matter.

Hot Sweet Tea

Plymouth Argyle 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday

For all the Green Army who are suffering from shock following a HOME win. With just 10 men too! The Greens were drawing 1-1 at half time, and N'Gala was dismissed deep into stoppage time of the first half, so on the face of it things were not looking too good, but who would have thought that 2 more goals would come out of the green shirts (never mind the Owl's other one)? Especially as Wright-Phillips came right after the second half kick off.

Reid has made 5 changes to the first XI from that of the Colchester game with Fletcher, Wright-Philips and Noone recalled - all 3 of whom scored the goals! It's amazing what a but of positivity can do to everyone, as Home Park was rocking come 5pm yesterday and there is a bit more optimism around this morning. Is this the beginning?

Plymouth still set to be ship shape

Although fans of Plymouth Argyle have had to endure a poor start to the season on the pitch, executive director Keith Todd has pledged to continue to do his best to secure the club's future by furthering plans to construct their new £50 million stadium.
England are by no means guaranteed to win the fierce bidding war to host the 2018 World Cup, but Plymouth are aware that they will need to be able to find a viable way to secure their future.

However, with majority shareholder Yasuaki Kagami yet to attend a game, Plymouth fans know that their side needs to improve on the field if they are to have a chance of long-term success off it.

Despite being a Championship side last season, Plymouth have failed to start the season in anything like promotion form, even though they managed to lure Peter Reid away from the relative comfort zone of a role at Stoke.

Even though they have not yet demonstrated a level of beautiful football this season worthy of grabbing the headlines, fans will be aware that Peter Reid is a man who will be looking to put results ahead of style while his players attempt to undo the damage that relegation from the Championship inflicted. The Betfair Football tips suggest they could continue to struggle.

Should Reid be successful on the pitch, projects such as the new stadium will be far simpler for the club to achieve, with the added financial bonus that promotion will bring to the side. However, should they fail in their short-term quest, their new stadium may well find itself with far too many empty seats for the owner's liking, especially if England fail to win the right to hold the 2018 World Cup.

Meanwhile, the Portsmouth betting tips suggest they could follow Plymouth down to League One.

The side were relegated from the Premier League last year and their financial problems mean they are unable to compete in the Championship.

How clean is your House?

With the high profile cases of football clubs in finanical dire straits at the moment, how well are Argyle, once championed as a well run club doing? The initial start is Todd's stataement of desire to become a debt free club, and when coupled by the well publicised debts of the last few years, are Argyle sliding down the slippery slope to Portsmouth, Cardiff, Wednesday, Charlton etc. The continued selling off of the family silver year on year to keep the club afloat certainly due in part to declining gate numbers and foolhardy signings that cannot be severed, and who knows what else behind the scenes (World Cup Bid?). The failure to finish the ground or buy in decent players are blatant symptoms that have disenfranchised the Green Army. Add in the loss of TV and advertising revenue due to relegation and you have a very big mess. Just how well, or badly, are Argyle doing?

Todd Hailer

Executive Director, Keith Todd has been grilled in an interview by Vital website today. Among the fluff the he has said the following:

- Todd got involved in Argyle cos he's been a fan since the age of 9
- The financial situation was totally underestimated
- It is not feasible to have an 'ordinary fan' on the board due to issues of confidentiality
- There are no plans for new directors
- Phase 1 of Phase 2 of the ground rebuild is planned to start next year, the rest dependant upon the World Cup bid
- Argyle is not known in Japan and the K&K link has not been exploited
- The ultimate aim is a debt free club

So really, not much more than what is known already by the majority of fans.

Kicking the First Team up the Arse

Colchester United 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

What a shambles of a first half that saw the Greens well and truely at rock bottom - of the League One table. From a team that was looking to challenge for a bounceback promotion to one that looked due a double drop. Until half time. Who knows what Peter Reid said to the team in the dressing room but the second half was better - mind you it would have been hard to be worse - that finally saw an equaliser and a lift away from the drop zone. Though it still leaves the, to quote Fitz, 'best in the West' the worst in the west. And Molyneux got sent off - again. He's only played a handful of games and he's a liability. The team need a right royal kick up the arse, though where to start is a problem as there is so much wrong with the whole club set up at the moment. The Green Army have found other things to do with their time and money, as many have seen it's just history repeating itself, whether they were stallwarts for the glory hunters of the 90s/00s. A long hard hill to climb has only just begun but there is so little traction that one step forward means ten steps back.

Fall From Grace

In the run up to the match today, where frankly anything could happen, such is the predictability,
Argyle are sitting in 21st place in the relegation zone. Just 3 years ago around when Holloway left they were 4th in the Championship. Such a big drop. Although by this time in that season Argyle had only won 1 and drawn 3, this season they have won 1, drawn 1, lost 2. Only 2 points difference. So what has gone wrong to see the (temporary?) Mighty Greens become the feeble greens?

In all truthfulness it is probably a combination of lots of things - investment, signings, management choices, team spirit. But the rot has taken over and the infection spread farther than ever before. At the moment the World Cup bid is a placebo that is attempting to be a sticking plaster that may work miracles, but it's a big gamble. Landing on your ass in the mud as you fall down the leagues is never pleasant, and you can't even claim £250 from You've Been Framed to prop up your books.

Can Peter Reid help Plymouth improve on their inconsistent start?

Having enjoyed a mixed start to the season, Plymouth Argyle fans will be hoping that experienced manager Peter Reid will be able to get his side up and running quickly as they look to secure an immediate return to the Championship.

Despite starting the season in fine style, defeating promotion hopefuls Southampton on the opening day, Plymouth have since failed to register a single win this season. However, with Peter Reid's impressive level of experience, which includes a spell managing Sunderland in the Premier League, many Pilgrims fans will be hoping to see the team complete a turnaround in fortunes in order to compete with Betfair Football betting promotion favourites Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday.

However, with the Pilgrims still ranked as relative outsiders to be involved in the fight for a playoff spot, the idea that they can achieve a run of form that would see them compete for an automatic promotion place seems somewhat outlandish to say the least.

With the Pilgrims facing a tough tie against Sheffield Wednesday in the next few weeks, many fans will use the result of this fixture as a benchmark against which to judge where their side can finish come the end of the season. Should they fail to achieve at least a draw in the match, it is likely that Peter Reid will be expected to look at reinforcing his squad with the addition of loan players from top Premier League and Championship sides.

If he fails to achieve at least the sense that the club can move onwards and upwards towards better things sooner rather than later, Peter Reid may find himself enjoying only a single season with the Pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Portsmouth betting suggests they could be slipping down to League One next season.

The south-coast club have been unable to bring in any new players and they have a wafer-thin squad.

Stubbies

Due to future possible allocation restrictions, Argyle have advised supporters to keep the stubs from their away tickets in case they are required for future fixtures.

Argyle have implemented such a scheme in the past as an add on to the existing priority scheme where allocation has been limited (such as Portsmouth in the Cup). It is fairly certain that the prospect of Exeter City at the end of the season is one match that this is in contention for. Nothing is set in stone yet, but heads up in case.

Let's go Painting

Away at Cheltenham in the JPT to be played on Tuesday 5th / Wednesday 6th October.

Have a Break

The Greens are on international break today, meaning a postponement of the Brighton and Hove match (till Tuesday 21 September). Probably the only "big" thing that they've done in League One so far.

The transfer deadline passed a few days ago, and a last minute deal saw the addition of Stephane Zubar to the squad. The 23 year old French defender who plays full/centre back impressed Reid during pre-season against QPR and signed following international clearance. Although Stephane come into some what of a fragile squad at the moment.

The opening few games of the season haven't really set the footballing world alight, even counting the win verses Portsmouth B. The 'Argyle norm' has infected another season. That 'typical Argyle' play that affects anyone who pulls on a green shirt no matter who makes up the first XI and that no manager has seemed to eradicate in spite of however many loan players are added. Additionally going the other way very few players have left, leaving bloated pay packets hanging around the club doing bugger all but drain the coffers. At a time when there are numerous rumours that staff are not getting paid.

And there's a disgruntled movement afoot towards the board for their failures to take steps to reverse the decline of the end of the 'Stapleton years'. The World Cup bid is being viewed as a distraction and money maker at the expense of the day to day running of a football club. A distraction that is hinged on 2 decisions and could make or break the club. Or do both at the same time.

Of the three teams that were relegated to L1 last season, two are currently at the top of the table, whilst the other lingers down the bottom and dropping further by the game. It doesn't really take a genius to work out who's who. And why.

Posh Lesson

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 3 Peterborough United

Any thoughts of pissing the league must be rapidly vanishing as the new bogey time Peterbrough turned over and raped the Greens yesterday. A goodish first half rapidly declined into the usual pathetic clueless performance that has become all to common, though to hold out that long before conceding 3 may be the only good thing of the day. But typical set pieces are a bane, can no manager get any players in green to take advantage of them? No wonder the crowd was quiet until the end of the game, when all too familiar frustrations were made vocal again. Never mind, still got the World Cup.

Junction 9

Walsall 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

A capitulation on the M6. How many seasons of travelling up north have fans passed that stadium just after the M5/M6 junction and wondered if the Greens would ever play there so they could cross it off their list? Well today was that day. Though it wasn't Argyle's day after losing 2-1 from a 0-1 lead at half time. So much had to have changed in those 20 minutes at half time as the green shirts managed to boss around for the first half, but turned into a pumpkin at the second half kick off. Time for 'typical Argyle'? Not being able to take a chance is the story of Plymouth and is their ultimate downfall.

Mixed start for Reid

Three games into the new season for Plymouth and new manager Peter Reid has gone through the full spectrum of emotions. An opening games surprise 1-0 win over title favourites Southampton was the ideal start for the Pilgrims. In their next game Plymouth suffered a first round Carling Cup defeat to Notts County, going down 1-0 to their League One counterparts. The Betfair Football betting suggests they need to buck up their ideas soon.

Plymouth's last match was the 1-1 draw at home to Carlisle, in which it took an injury time equaliser from new signing Rory Patterson to nick a draw. It was Patterson's home debut and his first Football League goal. The Northern Irish striker looked good when he came, nearly scoring in the 83rd minute with an angled shot from 12 yards. He wasn't to be denied later in the match and swept home the ball from eight yards four minutes into time added on, after Ian Harte gave Carlisle the lead with a 68th minute header.

Along with the positives of Patterson's performance, on loan keeper David Button has looked different class since joining from Tottenham on a season long deal. Button's save in the 28th minute, from a Harte freekick, was Premier League quality.

Harte's rocket shot looked destined for the top corner only for Button to spring to his right and spectacularly palm the ball over the bar. Reid has also brought in young Spurs midfielder Dean Parrett, also on a season long loan. The 18-year-old has been capped for England at Under-17 and Under-19 level as well as featuring in Tottenham's UEFA Cup clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in February last year. Parrett, who had a spell last season at Aldershot, is an attacking midfielder who has the ability to open defences and Plymouth moved quickly to sign the youngster.

With Argyle lacking quality delivery from the wings, Reid has taken the decision to move Zimbabwean left back up Onismor Bhasera up field onto the left wing in the hope of creating more chances for Argyle's talented forwards. Along with Patterson, Plymouth boast a wealth of talent in attack with Bradley Wright-Phillips, Rory Fallon, Steve MacLean and youngster Rory Fallon. So far all except for Patterson have failed to show their quality in this league, it is a very different type of football from the Championship and will take a bit of time to adjust to this level. When they get used to the league then Plymouth fans will be expecting goals from their strikers.

Meanwhile, in the division above, many people have made Leicester betting tips to gain promotion to the Premier League this season.

Statistics

Owen Ryle's article in the Herald today, Premium Prices no Premium Product, revealed some interesting and worrying statistics.

Since 2004 Argyle have not won more that 10 of their home fixtures. In fact in 2005/06 it decreased to 9, ending in just 5 at the last campaign. Now Argyle had a history of Fortress Home Park but starkingly have become an away team. Even that is not really guaranteed. It has become paintakingly obvious that the Greens are a declining team, hence the relegation, and whether that's to do with no investment, poor player choices or whatever. Argyle have not really had a natural goal scorer especially in their strikers. How is this going to change? Smash and grab has been the tactic employed since Sturrock's first reign and it isn't working. But then again would anything else work? Far from Fortress Home Park the battlements have been missing for years.

Maybe we'll Tarry for a While

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Carlisle United

Still awaiting that illusive home win since last March, and by the looks of it we could be in for a long wait. It took the Greens until the last minute to get the important goal, after many supporters who were expecting the usual had left the stadium. Spurs loan keeper Button and new signing Peterlin performed the best, although Button may have been at fault for their goal, whilst the other Spurs signing, Parrett, was evidently bedding in to the Pilgrims' ways. As usual there was a lock up front, with Fallon doing not very much at all and being subbed to a chorus of boos. All in all an ok game but there is still a very long way to go before Argyle are beating Wigan 4-0.

Nu-Home Park

Yesterday the Herald revealed the masterplan for Home Park. The Life Centre is already progressing, but the application for further development includes the completion of Home Park to its 40,000+ capacity, a new arena/ice rink to replace the Pavilions on the football field, a cinema on the council's Parks Services depot, various blocks of student accommodation, a 3 star hotel and retail units on the car park.

In my opinion the majority of that is not required. Certainly there should be no need for further student accommodation, and certainly not within the area of Central Park. The retail centre is unnecessary too as there are several supermarkets nearby and the place is unsuitable for a retail park with such generic names as PC World and DFS. Besides, there's be no car parking left. And the Vue Cinema in Coxside has already closed the Odeon and threatened Reel in the city centre.

So of the development, I only agree with the finishing of Home Park (though not to the capacity proposed), the hotel - likely to be a Travelodge type establishment - and the arena/ice rink. This too could easily be accommodated within the new South Stand development. Although I do disagree that the development itself (ie the buildings, not the usage) would cause undue harm to Central Park as it is all proposed to be contained within areas that are already developed, except for the football field.

All in all it's a pipe dream for the World Cup bid. It may happen, but it's probably gone in slightly the wrong direction on the way.

There's a great website at http://build2.jensenmeyer.com/ with pdf plans to download and peruse for more in depth detail.

Tottenham Hotsparrett

Argyle have been raiding the Spurs player bank again. Following the signing of keeper Button, 18 year old Dean Parrett has signed on loan till the end of the season. Parrett has played 4 times for Aldershot and England as an attacking midfielder. He comes commended from Redknapp and supporters forums.

Groundhog Day

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Notts County

League Cup round 1 - out for 1. The prerequisite of supporting the Greens is to never expect anything from cup games, and even new manager Reid could not change the deeply entrenched tradition as Argyle fall in a poor performance that saw 1 attempt on goal and a defeat. Still, time to concentrate on the league(!)

Green Army marching back up

There is a lot of pressure on a club that drops down in to League One. Instantly the club has the pressure of being one of the favourites so other teams see you as one of their biggest games of the year and up their performance accordingly. After a poor season last time round, Plymouth are looking to bring success back to Home Park.

New manager Peter Reid has made a good start to the season, winning 1-0 at fellow promotion seekers, Southampton. Indeed, Southampton are one of the Betfair Football tips to top the league. An opening day win at against one of the favourites for the title will have given the Pilgrims a massive confidence boost for the long season ahead.

Peter Reid still has a lot of work to do to trim Argyle's enormous squad which he inherited from the Paul Sturrock era. There has been some movement on this front, but they need to get rid of four or five more players. The current squad has in the region of 28 players on the books which is far too many for this league.

There is, however, some good news on the player front for the Green Army. Marcel Seip is back at the club after falling out with Sturrock last year, which resulted in the Dutch defender going out on loan to Blackpool and Sheffield United. Hopefully Reid will be able to convince Seip to stay at Argyle this season, he would be one of the best defenders in this league.

Plymouth have taken a punt on Northern Ireland striker Rory Patterson. The 26-year-old has a prolific record in Ireland and could prove to be a nice bit of business by Argyle. Previously in England, Patterson played for FC United of Manchester in the lower leagues and scored over 100 goals in his 120 odd appearances. Another bonus for Plymouth is the emergence of some talented youth players coming through. The most exciting prospect is perhaps Joe Mason. The 19-year-old put in some promising performances last season and scored three goals for his boyhood club.

Plymouth have a squad more than capable of scoring in this league, Bradley Wright Phillips, Steve MacLean and Rory Fallon will be confident of bagging a few after poor seasons last year. Plymouth will face a tough battle to get out of this league and Leeds showed how easy it was to get stuck for a few years. The Leeds United betting made them favourites to go up for a number of seasons, but it took them quite some time to drag themselves up.

Along with fellow relegated sides Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough, Argyle will also face competition from Southampton, Charlton and new threat Brighton. Despite the competition, this season will be Argyle's best chance of getting back into the Championship.

The Sun

Due to Southampton's policy of only allowing game photos from their official source, The Sun newspaper has decided in protest to expunge the name Southampton, except for copyrighted league tables and fixtures, in favour of "South Coast Team". I think that's hilarious, though I think they missed a trick. Portsmouth B Team anyone?

We Were Top O'The League

Southampton 0 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

I would never have taken a bet to say that Argyle were going to win their first game of the season, even at half time following a woeful 45 minute 'performance'. But Reid must have put something, maybe a rocket, up the players' arses at half time as the second half was much improved with Summerfield netting the one and only goal of the game. Though the players were panicking with around 15 minutes to goal and Button pulling of some good saves to give the Green the first 3 points of the whole season.

Not a season winning performance but a buoyant and great start to the campaign.

In Safe Hands

Sky Sports News today reported that Argyle have signed Spurs 'keeper David Button on a year long loan. Button, who is a home grown Spurs player has been on loan at several clubs gaining experience and joins solitary Larrieu between the sticks. Argyle are also looking at keeper Colin Doyle to join the squad.

Pre Season 4

Hereford United 0 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
QPR 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
Saltash 0 - 8 Plymouth Argyle

Well that's another exciting pre season over and done with, with less than a week before the start of the season proper, and was it worth it? You can now add Bolaise to the list of players injured on the campaign, Mackie to the list of explayers who have scored against us, and Hereford to the list of twats for attacking a PAFC coach after the game.

We've had 'will he won't he?' with the possible return of Capaldi, the release of several players including Baker, Walton injured which stops any dealings with him, a couple of trialists Molyneux (who should by rights play for Wolves) and Zubar impressing Reid along with keeper Colin Doyle, the signing of Peterlin and the 'man who said he was interest in playing for Argyle one day' James going to Bristol City. Amongst other things.

So it's now time for the league proper with the first game at St Mary's on Saturday live on Sky, so a 12.15pm kick off, that could see Argyle either top or bottom of the league. For a few hours.

Come on Down

Argyle fans have a chance to quiz manager, Peter Reid, on Thursday 5th August when a forum is being held at Home Park. The free event starts at 6.30 for 7pm.

Bye bye Trohpy

Argyle have received a bye into the second round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The first round draw will take place on 15 August, whilst the following clubs will wait will the second draw:

Northern Section
Bradford City
Burton Albion
Bury
Carlisle United
Crewe Alexandra
Huddersfield Town
Peterborough United
Stockport County

Southern Section
Barnet
Bristol Rovers
Cheltenham Town
Colchester United
Hereford United
Milton Keynes Dons
Plymouth Argyle
Wycombe Wanderers

It certainly makes a change not to be out in the first round of a cup as is tradition.

Pre Season 3

SC Cambuur 3 - 3 Plymouth Argyle
AZ Alkmaar 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

So the Dutch tour is going well, with a win, a narrow defeat and a draw with good performances against good opposition, though the injuries are stacking up. The week long tour of the Netherlands has now finished, with Saltash and QPR fixtures remaining before the season kick off in a few weeks.

Pre Season 2

Torquay United 3 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
NAC Breda 0 - 1 Plymouth Argyle

Can't really get excited about the season, let alone pre season at the moment so the news of a dicking verses Torquay warranted only a slight 'oh really'? It has become traditional to play Torquay pre season and traditional to lose. So god know's who thinks the Greens may actually win against Exeter.
Simon Walton however suffered a cruciate ligament injury that will probably ensure that not only can he not play, no bugger'll want to buy or loan him either.

Barking Mad

Chris Barker has effectively been shown the door of Home Park after his exclusion from the squad's tour of the Netherlands. Barker didn't have the best start to the season when he was injured for many months but has been a consistent stalwart of the team in defence since his return to make 54 appearances. Why get rid of a player who has been one of the better over a poor season?

On the flip side, Tony Capaldi is making his return to the Green line up after his spell at Cardiff City (where he was on loan to Leeds) to come straight into the tour squad.

Kit Verdict

The new home strip has featured in Yahoo!'s top 10 worst kits of the new season. Just this season's?

Pre Season 1

Truro City 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

The hectic pre season schedule has kicked off with a win against Truro in front of a 1,700 strong crowd with Bolasie and MacLean netting the ball. The team will travel to Torquay on the 13th before staring their tour in World Cup runner up country, The Netherlands. When they return there will be two further away games before the start of the season proper.

July 10 3pm Truro City Treyew Road
July 13 7.45pm Torquay United Plainmoor
July 17 2.30pm NAC Breda Sint Willebrord
July 21 7pm AZ Alkmaar Anna Paulowna
July 22 7pm SC Cambuur Franeker
July 28 7.45pm Hereford United Edgar Street
August 2 7.45pm Saltash United Kimberley Stadium