Sunday 29 January 2012

No Blessings from Pope

Port Vale 1 - 0 Plymouth Argyle

And so back where we belong. Didn't last long did it, a week out of trouble? But for all of 80 minutes until a well timed substitution netted the decider. Vale had a few good chances to put the game away before then as Aryle, who started spritely, reverted to hoofball form due to no threat up front and a lack of direction what to do. It was not an exciting game, but an opportunity missed to capitalise on the rare bit of luck that had Argyle out of the relegation zone for a brief glimpse of survival.

Saturday 21 January 2012

A Minor Miracle

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 1 Crawley Town

The Argyle are no longer in a relegation position! A draw was enough to see the Greens pull out of the drop zone by one place as results from other games went the right way with Northampton and Dagenham losing. What an unexpected turn up! But let's not get carried away, Argyle had to wait the whole 90 minutes to get the equaliser - at least they didn't give up in a game with more dives that Tom Daley, fouls than dogs in Central Park, time wasting by a council worker and enough aerial football that the players should have borrowed cranes. The Midfield was not as good as last week and the defence played well, Wotton acted more like a captain that the team needs even though he wasn't the skipper and what could have been a penalty against in the dying moments not given. A bit of luck for once!

Monday 16 January 2012

The GAS Board

So James Brent wants to set up a board with representatives from the Green Army. Who will these people be? We've already seen jealousy and loathing over what have been deemed 'superfans' throughout the administration, heaven forbid what the (un)lucky chosen ones will have to put up with.

Saturday 14 January 2012

Burtoned Up

Plymouth Argyle 2 - 1 Burton Albion

1-0, 1-1, 2-1; all thanks to Walton, who scored both goals to ensure that Argyle got the 3 points and a boost of confidence. Wotton retook to the pitch back in green, only to find himself upstaged by the new captain, who struck not only a goal, but also a penalty none the less with 60 seconds of the game left. Wotton did nearly get on the score sheet but missed by the nearest of margins, and the Greens could not sustain a clean sheet. However, things are looking up if the team can keep up the domination of the game, sustained good play, and good defence and stronger midfield that were shown in this game. What's more, it lifts Argyle back off the bottom by one place.

Thursday 12 January 2012

Wottsy Returns

Another ex Argyle player has returned to Home Park as a new signing. This time former captain Paul 'bleeds green' Wotton has signed up alongside Nick Chadwick after being released by Yeovil. There's no denying that Wotton was always an Argyle lad at heart and was the most successful captain making 400+ appearances for the Green, scoring 63 goals over 17 years and saw two promotions. Wotton was released by Argyle 3 and a half years ago and joined Southampton, before going on loan to Oxford and ended at west country rivals Yeovil.

Wotton is now the second former player to have rejoined this January transfer window, with rumours flying round that following his sacking, Warnock could be heading this was form QPR, who else could be re-donning a green shirt? Bojan Djordic is another potential for one. Nalis? Buszaky? Ebanks-Blake? (getting carried away now)

Welcome back Paul.

Argyle have also extended Maxime Blanchard's loan to the end of the season subject to approval, and signed 20 year old Bristol City player Joe Lennox also subject to approval.

Sunday 8 January 2012

Crewe Cut

Crewe 3 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

Another defeat, another lost chance at climbing to safety. Though no one can really doubt the players' enthusiasm, coming back from 2-0 down, their raw inexperience cannot be ignored. Added that Hourihane received his second red card of the season, taking Argyle's red card tally to 10 - the worst in the league. Life in the Blue Square Premier is very much looming, as there are 63 points left to play for, and it is very unlikely that Argyle will pick up many of them. It is especially worrying that if Chadwick and Purse were playing together, the team's experience would have increased and play would have stabilised; to have to rely on one or two key players is very poor form, and unfortunately Fletcher does not have the nous enough to make what he has work. But what alternative is there?

Friday 6 January 2012

Open Purse

To add to Nick Chadwick, Darren Purse has completed a permanent signing to Argyle. Purse has been on loan to the Pilgrims since November from Millwall.

Wednesday 4 January 2012

St Nick

It's a bit late for a visit by St Nicholas, however Argyle have received one in the resigning of Nick Chadwick. Chadders has returned to the Pilgrims 7 years after first signing for Argyle when he completed a free transfer from Stockport County following his loan period. Nick was released by Sturrock and joined Hereford after being a regular first XI player and hold the record for quickest goal by Plymouth - 11.83 seconds. Since November Chadwick has netted 3 times in 6 games, and has become a stalwart of stability in the team - noticeable when he left the Torquay game after 15 minutes following injury, meaning he'll be out of the squad for a while. Welcome back Nick.

Monday 2 January 2012

Not a Good Start

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Torquay United

What a difference 24 hours makes, the Greens went ended 2011 not at the bottom, but started it in their familiar position thanks to getting 2012 off to a bang with a loss. The defining moment when Chadwick went and the team fell apart being too lightweight. Such as shame that the form always hinges on one player - and Chadders being a loanee is just the latest in a long list. That said they did well to get a goal, and there was a never say die attitude, but a lack of finish and finesse.

Prognosis


Patient: Plymouth Argyle Fooball club

Doctor's notes: PAFC was first admitted as a failing patient, financial problems plagued the body and spread rapidly like cancer. The patient's former guardians mishandled its concerns and left - social services were informed. In March 2011 the patient's health deteriorated so much that it entered administration and began shutting down. Dr Guilfoyle was appointed to oversee the patient and called upon Dr Ridsdale to strip the patient's assets and prepare a leaner patient with fewer complications. The patient went through several periods of potential recovery, before regressing. Mr Brent finally gave the patient the injection it needed to enable it to at least remain alive, however the patient lost a lot of blood in its redundant staff, sponsors, players and management. A bandage of player/manager/coach was applied and some stability was reach, along with some temporary players which are maintaining pitch-side progress. The support of the patient's friends (the 'Green Army') has had a beneficial affect that medical science cannot explain.

Prognosis: The patient is still very ill, however no longer terminal. A long recovery is inevitable, and a decline in league status cannot be rules out. There are many complications that need to be addressed. Drs Ridsdale and Guilfoyle have stood down and the patient is now in the hands of interns , who whilst not having experience in such matters and are still learning its the best the FL can hope for.