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.
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
Sunday, 28 November 2010
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.
Friday, 26 November 2010
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, 21 November 2010
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'?
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'?
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
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..
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..
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
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.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 13 November 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Devil in Disguise
With the tide turning against the New World, maybe it's time to bring this post back from 2009.
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
Better the Devil you Know?
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?
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?
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
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.
>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.
Saturday, 6 November 2010
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
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.
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.
Friday, 5 November 2010
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?
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?
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
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.
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?
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?
Monday, 1 November 2010
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.
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