Stop the Rot

Plymouth Argyle 3 (Halmosi 15, Ebanks-Blake 45, Hayles 62) - 0 Leicester City

Three away games in a week, three defeats in a week. Could Argyle stop the rot? Thankfully, yes is the answer.

Halmosi scored his second goal in two days to open the scoring, but would Leeds repeat itself? Luckily, no. Argyle went into half time at 1-0 up, after coming close to going 0-1 down when Leicester found the back of the net, but whilst the Foxes celebrated, a lone man was holding his flag aloft. Offside, and that was close. Within 1 minute of kick off the threat of a reocurrant Leeds was buried when Ebanks-Blake scored from kick off in a defensive blunder that has dogged Argyle recently.
Leicester then tried throwing the kitchen sink at us, and in a reveral of fortunes, it was our keeper that kept us in the game. Hayles then went on to bury the Foxes with a third goal. An injured Buzsaky limped off and then followed a double substitution to keep the clean sheet, but had the affect of upsetting the remainder of the play and let Leicester have too many chances, which they thankfully couldn't convert.

A much better performance, building on the Leeds game but this time with the correct result. This puts us on 55 points which makes us safe this season.

Stadium Review #19 - Elland Road

Ground Information: Elland Road (Leeds United FC) Capacity 40,204

Appearance: A mixed bag of architecture, from the modern imposing space framed main stand through the multi storey car park-esque south east corner to the industrial unit West Stand and old brick built run down 60s odd bits. Inside the ground is fully enclosed, with 4 stands of blue seats and the (what seems small, away end) adorned in yellow sticking out like a sore thumb. The East and north stands seem to go on forever. 7/10

View: Stuck in the corner near the back is not ideal, and 4 pillars holding up the roof obscure some of the view. There are obscured view prices, but we didn't pay them so I'd hate to think what constitutes a poor view. 4/10

Getting there: Elland Road is right next to the M621, though the signs will take you past the ground and back around even though there's direct access right next to the stadium. Coming by train means a 35 minute walk or a bus ride, which stop off at the stadium's "bus terminus". 5/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): The refreshment bar is located underneath, and slightly behind the stand serving both tiers, however it seemed big enough to cope and I didn't have to queue at all. Unlike at Turf Moor the pies were of good quality. There were two sets of toilets, but queues quickly formed at both at busy times. 5/10

Food and Drink: Good pies, even if there was no steak and kidney, and the usual selection of other food and beverages. Whether because everyone else had already eaten, I was served straight away by the girls, who seemed very keen and quick. An in-out queuing system operates that avoids a scrum and distributes the queue into several small ones instead of the usual long one. 7/10

Stewarding/Police: Mounted police in Elland Road, and stewards who were keen to evict people for standing in spite of home fans doing so, which wound up the supporters (but what goes around comes around - how many times do Argyle complain that away fans stand at Home Park?). 5/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): Not much, apart from near the ground itself with its McDonalds, the nearby area is typical northern back-to-back terracing. Finding a pub is worthwhile for the cheap prices though. 5/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): The atmosphere was great, but you can only hear the fans flanking the away end, and likewise Leeds cannot hear you at the far end. Leeds have much better songs from their past than Argyle will ever have, but the did give up trying to out-sing Green and White Barmy Army. 7/10

Total score: 45/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Hillsborough (Sheffield Wednesday): 58
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
= Portman Road (Ipswich): 51
= Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
= Elland Road (45)
= Turf Moor (Burnley): 45
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

Look out Below!

The Greens are coming

Leeds United 2 (Healy 45, Michalik 87) - 1 Plymouth Argyle (Halmosi 36)

So another defeat, and even after the players have recovered from their sore asses after the Burnley defeat we still don't get a result. This last week we have a score line of 1:9 goals. So this time we scored a goal - some improvement at least - but give away two sloppy ones. Oh for that Leeds nutter to have accidentally knocked the ball in during his pitch invasion. I think we've reached the stark reality that we are just a mediocre club, with medicre support and mediocre clout in the wages department. We had a lucky start to the season but that has promised too much, riding the wave of play offs, new manager, FA cup run (where did that come from?) had lead to this recessionary feel. Currently I feel that we should still be worried about not getting much - if anything - from the last 5 games, and that the bottom half of the table is still changeable. It's not good enough to "be the better team" but not win. Plucky Argyle is becoming Push Over Argyle.

Stadium Review #18 - Turf Moor

Ground Information: Turf Moor (Burnley FC) Capacity 22,546

Appearance: A club torn between redevelopment and renovation, a bit like Argyle. Two sides have been rebuilt as two tier stands, whilst the away end is still a traditional cowshed with wooden seats, but they are for the wider bottomed person so you are not squashed at all. The 'grandstand' looks untouched. Underneath the away end you get the real cowshed feel - a cavernous empty structure with a few brick buildings for toilets and food bar. The unusual aspect of having the dressing rooms and tunnels at the end of the pitch make it different from the rest other identikit stadia. 6/10

View: From the picture you can see you get a pretty decent view. There are two support pillars at either end of the stand, but they obscure a minute part of the pitch. 9/10

Getting there: Turf Moor is signed from the motorway, but the local police insist on an escort from the outskirts around the back streets. 5/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): One refreshment bar, one set of toilets-which were quite decent. But else sod all. 4/10

Food and Drink: The worst pies this season, and they only had three out of five choices in stock. Burnt, hard Balti pie and a meat and potato that disintegrated. Nice bar staff though. 2/10

Stewarding/Police: Even though there were only 160 approx in a huge stand there was at least 1 cop to 3 supporters, and the steward insisted on people remaining seated. 6/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): No idea. 5/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): They wanted the result and were right behind the team from the off. The Green Army were very poor in comparison, but then we had very little to shout about. 8/10

Total score: 45/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Hillsborough (Sheffield Wednesday): 58
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
= Portman Road (Ipswich): 51
= Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Turf Moor (Burnley): 45
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

Supporters' Forums

As well as the usual PASOTI and Rub of the Greens message boards, a new board was opened at the beginning of this year at www.pafctalk.co.uk. This board has been dead for some time, however a few Greens have recently signed up in an attempt to try and get it going again. So if you fancy somewhere that's a bit lighter than PASOTI or RotG, then join us and sign up.

PAFC Talk

Burnley

Burnley 4 (Duff 13, McVeigh 20, Jones 38, Elliott 61 ) - 0 Plymouth Argyle

Warning - this article contains a rant.

So 4-0.
What a huge steaming pile of manure. No player turned up today at all, there was no interest from them at all. A disgrace to the club. It's no good thinking 'we're midtable so we're safe' or 'we were so hard done by in the FA Cup - woe is us', you have to play till the end of the season. Holloway said that every player was playing for their place on the squad, but after tonight not one of them deserves to wear the green (and yellow) shirt next season; don't they take Ollie seriously, or do they not really want to be in the squad?

And what's with the see-through tactics? Every set-piece was exactly the same - free kicks to far post, goal kicks up to Hayles, throw ins to Fallon. Clubs don't need to do any research or have an need to adapt during the game.

It's times like this when it's hard to say 'support the club no matter what' but when you've made the effort to give up a day's holiday at work, travel 7 hours, pay £28 travel, £18 match ticket, beer, food; and they can't even be arsed. Argyle are going to pay dearly from this - Leeds is a certain loss, we'll be walked all over - lots of people at Turf Moor said that Leeds will be their final match of the season unless somethng happens, and next year's season tickets are looking in doubt. Especially with the lack of ambition at the club regarding off pitch affairs.

Things can only get better.
But then again, this is nothing new to Argyle.

Argyle Live

A reminder that 855 MW has now ceased broadcasting for 1 year. To continue listening to live Argyle matches, you will need to retune to 95.7FM or DAB

Truro City FC

Congratulations to Truro City for becoming the first Westcountry team to play at Wembley (we all know it should have been Argyle) by reaching the final of the FA Carlsberg Vase.

Rest assured that the Green Army will be there on 13th May, including me.

FA report

Stadium Review #17 - Portman Road

Ground Information: Portman Road (Ipswich Town FC) Capacity 30,300

Appearance: A traditional setting - city centre location, stands straight off the street is something I like in a football ground. Inside has the traditional 80s look of narrow passages and paint job. The converted terrace look is prevalent, with a mishmash of inclines, tier numbers and stand heights. 7/10

View: Away fans are stuck in the top tier of the Cobbold stand, in the corner; however the view from the lofty position is not bad. The low roof does mean that high balls are lost, and the back 6 rows are amongst the roof supporters, so the farther back you are the more restricted the view becomes. 7/10

Getting there: Easy as pie. Follow "Football Ground" from the bypass and you're straight there, by train, leave the station walk straight ahead. The city centre location is ideal, you cannot go wrong - however the coach park is slightly out of the way. 8/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): There used to be refreshments in the upper tier but these have since been relocated to downstairs next to the turnstiles. The bar only serves alcohol before the game - not at half time; it is also fairly small if you have a large support. There are sets of toilet in both tiers so no fears of wetting yourself queueing. 6/10

Food and Drink: Apart from the alcohol arrangements, the bar was well stocked with the usual selection of pies, soft and hard drinks, and snacks, all served efficiently. The Balti pie was alright, I have had better, but I think I had a dud as other people rated theirs better. 6/10

Stewarding/Police: Two coppers took a bit of an unhealthy interest in us. It wasn't like we has a large flag with "Bananabus" on it, and posing for photos, being rowdy or picking a flight with a stuck up git in a posh car. "Are you a charity?" Huh?. 6/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): Last season we went into town, which is just around the corner - the Debenhams is nice if you cannot find a toilet(!). There is an away-friendly pub opposite the station which is very big and efficient (The Station Hotel, funnily enough). The locals seem friendly enough. 9/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): P*ss poor. Had they been sedated upon entering the turnstiles - only came alive after each goal - the rest of the time cardboard cut outs would have made more noise. 2/10

Total score: 51/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Hillsborough (Sheffield Wednesday): 58
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
= Portman Road (Ipswich): 51
= Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

78 seconds & 15 minutes

Ipswich Town 3 (Garvan 9, Lee 15, Haynes 90) - 0 Plymouth Argyle

For the third sucessive season Argyle came away from Portman Road 3-0 down.

The gane effectively was won within 15 minutes of kick off after Matt Doumbe was sent off after just 78 seconds of play for a foul that the referee did not see. Only after the linesman's opinion was aired did Doumbe walk. 15 minutes later the Tractor Boys were two-nil up, with the third coming on the 90th minute.

Even with only 10 men, the Greens fought hard but if we cannot take our chances with 11 guys on the field - we have no chance with just 10. And so the usual faffing around in the 18 yard box, with strikers too afraid to have a pop, lead to nothing, only a disallowed goal from Ebanks-Blake, which might have started a comeback for a draw. "After you, sir", "No, no, after you", "No, I insist". But the sending off visibly shook the guys and they took until the second half to recover and start concentrating.

And again this brings up the problem of the lack of discipline in the squad. Being a 'take no prisoners' side, especially in a league in which we are small - in squad height and size - is no bad thing, but making stupid mistakes is awful. So is throwing the toys out of the pram when the decisions go against us - leading to the clocking up of far too many yellows, which takes its toll when the suspensions kick in.

Many reckon that we are safe in the league, but are we? There is always the chance that we will lose our remaining games - especially if the team believe that there's nothing to play for (which actually there isn't except for improvement on last season's postion). So a very very poor scoreline, here's to Burnley tomorrow and Leeds on Saturday.

Mayflower Season tickets

As the future of the Mayflower Terrace meanders along, at least until the FA deliver their decision on its use next season in April, Argyle have issued the following advice to Mayflower season ticket holders:

Season ticket holders, if you renew your ticket before the FA's announcement. may choose a seat in block 5 of the Devonport End or blocks 17 and 18 of Zoo Corner. Should the decision to retain terracing next season be negative, you may transfer to this seat at no extra cost. You will then have priority in returning to the completed stand.

Slow news Week

The two week break for internationals has meant it's been a slow news week for Argyle with very little happening at Home Park.

The team's three day holiday in Malaga came and went without a hitch - unlike many other teams' experiences - there have been five emergency loans until the end of the season, Romain Larrieu had a very bad game when he conceeded 5 goals, and Torquay beat Argyle 1 - 0 in the Westinsure St Luke's Cup.

Then there were the internationals. Steve McClaren has been a dead man walking for a long time, and has come the closest to behing beheaded (Ok, sacked) following the shameful performance against Israel. But then a repreive as Gerrard netted 2 against Andorra last night, ending the goal drought that began last September. Everyone has an opinion on our national team, the players and the management, many of them in the negative at the moment.

However Argyle have had a brush with the internationals, with Scott Sinclair playing England U18 and 17 year old Dan Gosling being called up for England U17s. But his season is now over for England and for Argyle after sustaining a hip injury. This has always been the trouble with international duty. Not with standing the distruption it causes to the fixtures, but the squads too. There are extra games for the players to cope with, and the fall out for the managers to cope with - in this case an injured player. Many clubs with bigger squads can cope with team rotation for international games, but the smaller-squadded sides - whilst being honoured for their players to be picked - may struggle.

Loans II

Following on from previous emergency loans, Scott Laird returns to Tiverton Town for a one month loan to help the SPL side avoid relegation, and Reuban Reid and Ryan Dickson are on emergency loan to Torquay United for the rest of the season. Dickson had has already played as a loan signing with Torquay this season, whilst Reid has been at Kidderminster and Rochdale.

Atmosphere, I like a Stadium with some Atmosphere

I wrote this last October, but never got around to publishing it:

What's wrong with home crowds these days?

The highest attendance at Argyle this season so far is only 15,964 or 76.3% capacity. The average gate is only 11,788 or 56%. Or 20th out of 24 clubs.
Where has everyone gone?

There has been lost of discussion in Plymouth recently regarding the falling gates but no conclusive answer. Maybe people were put off by the Williamson/Pulis era, the 'glory hunters' from the Champions years have drifted off to Chelsea, or just that the people of Plymouth don't really give a flying...

It seems that even wins against the "bigger clubs" (eg Sunderland) don't entice people through the turnstiles. And if it wasn't for the support from the rest of Devon/Cornwall and beyond, we could all have 10 seats each.

Some people deem that it's too expensive (a ticket for the seated areas is £22 in advance and £24 on the day), which compares favourably with other CCC clubs; but does the socio-economic demographics of the South West affect people's abilities to pay?

Do people know that Argyle exists? (see When will we be taken Seriously) The lack of exposure on TV, and on Sky Sports of all, coupled with PAFC's lack of advertising savvy, does nothing towards engraining the club into people's minds. Ok, the Evening Herald [Plymouth's local newspaper] run several pages of Argyle-related stories everyday and Ollie is doing his damned best to get the message out, but maintaining the status quo is not doing anyone any good.

Consider the knock on effects:

1 - The loss of atmosphere (at last he gets to the point!). Fewer people attending home matches means fewer people able to create a 'fortress Home Park"-type-atmosphere. It especially noticable that there is a thining in our singing squads. The Devonport have been especially quiet recently and when the crowd do sing it is in short bursts. Having said that the Barn Park end of the Mayflower and Zoo Corner are getting better.

2 - Less income and revenue from lower gates mean that the club will have less to spend on players and ground development. Argyle have done extremely well to continue operating without amassing huge debts like many other clubs, but if income declines, borrowing will have to rise and so will ticket prices and merchandising. A further rise in ticket prices will have a knock on affect with the crowd numbers.

It is a thorny issue that can be discussed till the cows come home but wil end up going round in circles, many will blame Argyle for lack of publicity and cost and others people's general apathy, but there is no easy answer. The only thing that may bring bigger crowds is success - and continued success. People are bored with consolidation and season after identical season of results. Argyle's gates were high following the double promotions and the feel-good factor that brought. But now hum-drum Championship football with a (relatively) predictatble outcome no longer appeals.

Since I wrote that, Argyle have had an FA cup run during which the gate numbers rose dramatically with each win, right up to the quarter final sell out. But typically the nexy two games saw very low gates (9 - 11 thousand). It seems that though Argyle have a big worldwide support, those who are able to get to Home Park on Saturday will be amongst the faithful (lucky, wealthy?) few.

By the way, sincerest apologies to Russ Abbot for ripping off his song, and to those who actually remember it!

Loans

Two Argyle players have been loaned out for the remainder of the season:

Hasney Aljofree has gone on emergency loan to League One's 5th placed Oldham Athletic. Hasney hasn't appeared in the squad for sometime due to Seip and Timar's performances.

Meanwhile Luke Summerfield has started an emergency loan at Bournemouth.

On a Break

So begins a two week fixture break, and a squad three day 'holiday' to Spain, therefore the next few weeks should be quiet for Argyle unless there's another 'incident' whilst the team are on the drink. It does seem strange timing-even though you can guarantee it has been booked for weeks-that after the recent poor performances the guys get a holiday reward. Maybe it was a Brittany Ferries 'Spain for £45' offer.

New Away Kit

Argyle are going yellow next season, with this new away kit:

Back on Track

Plymouth Argyle 1 (Sinclair 48 ) - 0 Crystal Palace

After the upset of the last two games, Argyle were back on track for their third sucessive game in a week when Sinclair scored a cracking goal in the second half. Admittedly the match itself was fairly dull even though Holloway's scaving review of the squad's recent performance resulted in selection changes.

Although Argyle were still not on form they played much better than on Wednesday, more shape and urgency. Luke was back on form and made some great saves, decisions and kicks - he was barking orders from his line too. But why had Pulis-style hoofball come back to Home Park? Is it a survival tactic? Certainly not exciting, and the balls are too easily lost because our forwards are too short. And corners have still not been perfected - seeing as we are awarded the most corners in the league, converting at least some of them would be helpful.

It's good to feel what it's like to win again.

No No Score Draw

The Football League's latest thinking is alter the outcome of draws on league matches.
If a match is tied by full time, each team will receive 1 point towards the league table, they will then participate in a penalty shoot out for which the winner will receive 1 bonus point.
BBC News Article

The reasoning is to provide fans with more entertainment that penalties bring. And in one way it would do just that. But what about teams that have fought hard for 90 minutes to secure a draw? It would be a way of the "better" teams to climb the table, whilst the lower teams remain at the bottom, and regular penalties would lose their 'special-ness' and become less entertaining.

Once again this is interferring with the concept of the game, and too much meddling takes away the beauty of the beautiful game - look at the new Offside criteria. Hopefully this will come to nothing.

Down and Out

Plymouth Argyle 2 (Nallis 15, Ebanks-Blake 41) - 4 Barnsley (Nyatanga 20, Devaney 31, Devaney 61, Ferenczi 90)

If Ollie was depressed on Sunday, he'll be slitting his wrists tonight, along with many of the Green Army after witnessing the most inept game this season. Not surprisingly after the defeat by Watford, more than half of the supporters didn't attend tonight, and neither did half of the players.

Starting perky with Nallis's goal on 15 minutes, Barnsley responded 5 minutes later and it went down hill from there on in. Argyle had no shape, no head, no coherence. Our defence leaked, our passes went astray, our balls were hoofed, headed and lost, goal-keeping went AWOL-a sense of resignation to the fate of mid table obscurity again. The 'new dream' of wining the next 5 games has burst before it even began.

It's stupid to do but at the moment, I've already written off the Palace game on Saturday.

Sinclair Stays

Scott Sinclair has extended his loan to the maximum available this season and will be staying with the Greens until April 18.
Sinclair, who has been outstanding during his loan spell from Chelsea, has scored 3 goals in 10 appearances including that goal against Barnet.

855 MW

Anyone who listens to Argyle Live through BBC Radio Devon on 855MW should be aware that from 1 April 2007, transmissions will be unavailable for approximately 1 year on this frequency. This is so that the BBC can broadcast trials of DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) - digital medium wave. More information can be found at BBC Radio Devon's webside.
In the meantime, you will need to retune to 95.7FM or DAB

Let you down

Ian Holloway made the statement yesterday that he belives he has "let the people of Plymouth down" by failing to get through to the semi finals of the FA Cup.

No, Ian, you have made the people of Plymouth PROUD. Argyle gave it their all, and if the only way Watford could win was to have a super keeper and waste time, then theirs is a hollow victory.

Happy Birthday Ollie.

Game Over

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Watford (Bouazza 21) [FAC6]

So once again Watford dump Argyle out of the cup. To use a well worn cliché, 'plucky little Plymouth fought a good battle'. But it wasn't enough. It was a game of taking chances and finishing, Watford did, Argyle didn't - simple as. And it was only the Watford keeper, and our inability to find the back of the net that kept Watford in the lead.

But this again means that the cup is premiership only, will be won by one of the 'big four'. Where's the excitement in that?

Less than 24 hours to go

It's finally here, FA Cup Quarter Final Weekend.

Time to get behind the lads and give it everything.

Come on you Greens!

Stadium Review #16 - Hillsborough

Ground Information: Hillsborough(Sheffield Wednesday FC) Capacity 39,814

Appearance: Aweinspiring. Built on the edge of a hill, the vast stands dwarf everything near by. The Hillsborough of the 2000s is far removed from that we saw in the 80s, though they have managed to incorporate a lot of the original stadium in the redevelopment, including the turnstiles and that tunnel in the West Stand (Leppings Lane). The stands themselves are huge, and go on forever, it is not possible to see all the seats at once. 9/10

View: Apart from the two narrow pillars of the upper tier roof in the West Stand, you have a clear, bird-like view of all the action on the pitch . 9/10

Getting there: Unlike Bramall Lane, Hillsborough is located someway to the north of the city. Therefore we went past Sheffield on the M1 and came back south through Grenoside. Although Hillsborough is huge, you cannot see the stadium as you get close. Sheffield Supertram run regular services from the centre/train station with a stop at the end of Lepping Lane 8/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): (upper tier) Another club with vast toilet facilities, two sets in fact and a very big, long food bar running most of the length of the concourse. Else it is quite stark, with no TVs. 6/10

Food and Drink: The away end for some reason is 'dry' that is they do not sell alcohol, and there is no obvious reason why. Some say the prices are on the expensive side, but were still cheaper than Home Park. 5 pie filling were available, along with pasties and pizza pods, and apart from the cheese and onion they were good. 6/10

Stewarding/Police: The stewards were slightly older than you would normally expect, they did have words with some more vocal supporters standing near the back, but the ones we spoke to were friendly enough. 7/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): In the immediate area, not much at all. The nearest pubs are about 10-15 minutes away. If you took the tram, you could get into the city centre. 5/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): Very loud. The North Stand were particularly vocal throughout the game. 8/10

Total score: 58/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Hillsborough (Sheffield Wednesday): 58
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

Travelling to Home Park on Sunday?

Details of the Park and Ride services can be found here.

Train services can be found here

Bus services can be found here

Please note that the usual car parking facilities will be limited on Sunday.

It's Grim Up North

Sheffield Wednesday 1 (MacLean 21) - 1 Plymouth Argyle (Dan Gosling 56)

Ee by 'eck it's grim up north, and even grimmer if your match is refereed by three blind officials. No one else-Sky TV, Argyle fans, players, Wednesday fans, commentators-thought the goal would stand, except for the joke of a referee and his more-of-a-joke linesman. In a re-run of QPR's goal a few weeks earlier, a blatant foul on Luke went unrecognised (uncalled, unnoticed, ignored...), and the Wednesday, unsure of what to do, put the ball in the net for a matter of yards away; the ref let it stand.

From then on, Argyle-many of whom hadn't played for a while-, and the referee lost their way. Sloppiness and over determination to equaliser crept in, and the referee decided to kill any flow by blowing for any foul in a bid to make up for his howler. A well fought equaliser came in the second half thanks to Dan Gosling and Argyle looked like they could reclaim their rightful 3 points, but couldn't find the net.

Argyle did well to come out with a point, but can rightfully feel cheated about missing out on all 3. In a time when Argyle are running to stay still, draws are not welcome.

-----

It's FA Cup time!!!

Coca Cola Buy a Player

I should have posted this earlier:

Purchase bottles of Coca Cola or Coke Zero to help buy your club a player. Plymouth are currently 20th in the Champioship with £2,337. Enter your code by SMS, or as your already online do it for free here.

Elton John, George Michael

Following the announcement and subsequent near sellout of Elton John's concert at Home Park this May, it has been announced that George Michael will be following suuit and will play Home Park as part of his June tour:
The Herald article

Whilst it is good that Argyle are now finding additional income from its stadium, this must surely further cement feeling that phase two will not be happening this summer.

The Big Interview

Read The Times's Big Interview with Ian Holloway here.

Return of the Snake / 2nd half shambles

Plymouth Argyle 1 (SEB penalty 40) - 1 Stoke City (Russell 55)

Tony Pulis returned to Home Park and brought his brand of football home too. In a rather dull match, Argyle managed to take the lead through Ebanks-Blakes's penalty for a foul on Halmosi, and dominated the play for most of the first half.
Then came the second half. As is becoming increasingly frustrating with Argyle leads, an equaliser seems inevitable. Argyle came out a different team, and lost any flow or shape they had had in the first 45, especially after Russell scored the equaliser. Pulis's brand of boring, slow, dive- and injury-ridden football saw out the second half. With both sides missing their chance to take the lead. Pulis didn't seem too enamoured with his return to Home Park and several condescending remarks were thrown in Ollie's direction, who has been unwell recently.

But Pulis must be doing something right, as his slow play has kept the Potters 6 points ahead of the Pilgrims. We may not be boring, but we are leaking. Once again another lead lost.

Sad News for former Players

This week has seen some sad news for former Argyle players.

Firstly, Ian Stonebridge has been forced to retire from football at the age of 25. Following many injuries, Ian has been diagnosed with Reactive Arthropathy, that affects the joints in various ways without any known cause. Ian did a great service to Argyle during his time here, and to have to retire so young with a talent will be hard for him.

Secondly, Graham Coughlan received the following devastating news about his brother:

"The search of the Grand Canal at Clondalkin, Dublin for missing Dublin teen, David White, has been temporarily suspended.
No announcement was immediately made as to how the investigation would proceed, but an internal conference of various Garda divisions, including the diving unit took place shortly after 4pm.
Yesterday, the body of Shane Coughlan, from Mill Park in Clondalkin, was found in a stretch of the canal alongside Fonthill Road."
Belfast Telegraph

This is something that no one should ever have to experience, and our thoughts are condolences are with Graham and his family.

Stadium Review #15 - Loftus Road

Ground Information: Loftus Road (Queens Park Rangers FC) Capacity 18,500

Appearance: Another clubs that has resisted the urge to demolish and redevelop, probably due to its hemmed in location. The Exterior is very 'busy' with different angles, stairways and windows, and slightly run down look, whilst inside it's very enclosed giving a 'close' feeling, which is slightly claustrophobic. All the stands are virtually identical, meaning it's quite boring. 6/10

View: From the lower tier, the front row is below pitch level. Therefore it is impossible to see any markings past the 18 yard box, and play at the other end is very far away. Whether the upper tier is better, I don't know. 5/10

Getting there: Apparently 'one of the easiest clubs to find'. Not. The ground is not signed on any roads around the area, the recommended route was from the M4 via Hanger Land and A40, which is a very roundabout route and is normally very congested. Leaving the game, not surprisingly the roads are very busy. By tube, both Shepherds Bush stations are close by. On street parking is the norm 5/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): (lower tier) Again, the toilets were huge and well maintained, but there was a lack of anything else to do. A food bar is available as normal. 6/10

Food and Drink: They had run out of anything but 3 chicken and mushroom pies and some hot dogs. Very poor management. The bar is 'dry' as it is in sight of the pitch. 5/10

Stewarding/Police: The steward that had to deal with a more rowdy member of the group trying to vandalise a sign was very polite. There seemed to be a large police presence for nothing. 6/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): In London you can do anything by tube or bus. Shepherds Bush had lots of shops, and there was an away supporter-friendly pub (The Springbok) very close by. An off licence outside the main entrance is very handy to stock up. 8/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): Didn't encounter anyone directly, but during the game they woke up at the equaliser and were very bolshy. 5/10

Total score: 46/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
= Loftus Road (QPR): 46
= The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

Hungover

Not me, in spite of 7 bottles of ale and several pints in the pub yesterday, but Argyle.

After the elation of the previous two wins verses Derby and Colchester, Argyle came to QPR with sore heads. In a less-than-enthusiastic performance Argyle had to settle for a draw after going 1-0 up in the first half; whether their goal should have been allowed is conjecture in itself, but even so the equaliser stood and Argyle didn't rise to the challenge. It got a bit boring though the referee should take some of the blame for the lack of flowing play. And Lillian had picked up Barry Hayles's 'skipper temperament' yesterday and was yellow carded twice for dissent.

Why is it that Argyle have such a mental block about turning over teams lower down the table. It's as if we are too respectful of their relegation-battling play and give them too much freedom on the field.

£7,000

Today Plymouth's The Herald, announced that Gordon Sparks has so far raised £7,000 with his 'Have a Ball with Sparksy' campaign, in aid of The Mustard Tree. By selling his ball-shaped key-rings, CD and hosting "The Gig", Gordon is over three quarters of the way to his target.

Last year Gordon and Romain Larrieu had battles with cancer last year and it is a subject that no one should ignore.

Up for the Cup

Download Gordon Sparks's new FA CUp Quarter Final poster from the BBC Website HERE and show people that Plymouth (and beyond) is really Up for The Cup.

Fixture Changes

The scheduled game verses Burnley on Saturday 10 March will now take place on:

Tuesday 3 April, 19.45, Turf Moor

This is due to the FA Cup 6th round.

Fixture Changes

Due to the FA Cup 6th round the follow fixture changes have occured:

Watford (H) FAC 6 - Sunday 11 March, 18.00 KO [was Saturday 10 March]
Barnsley (H) CCC - Wednesday 14 March, 1945 KO [was Tuesday 13 March]
Burnley (A) CCC - TBC

How far we've come

The scenes from Len's Stade Felix-Bollaert were starting to look very familiar to many a British football fan. It has nearly been 20 years since the shocking scenes at Hillsborough in 1989 when 96 people died due to overcrowding. In an almost exact carbon copy, too many people were admitted to a section of the stadium surrounded by fencing, and when fans tried to escape the police set upon them. Luckily this time there have been no fatalities.

Since 1989 the authorities have sought that Hillsborough should never happen again on UK soil and resulting in the introduction of new safety features such as turnstyle counting, no standing areas, better CCTV and tighter stewarding control. However one change has caused most controversy - the removal of terracing. Hillsborough happened upon a terrace sub-divided into 'pens' to prevent rioting, a lack of control over access to these pens caused the two middle ones to become severely overcrowded as no one knew how many people were already accommodated. Despite Lord Justice Taylor concluding that "terracing in itself is not intrinsically unsafe", the easiest way of ensuring that a 'safe' number of fans were in the stadium was to make them all seater. One seat = One fan. Or does it?

Stade Felix-Bollaert is an all seater stadium. And yet too many people were allowed into the tier. This boils back down to a simple lack of control over supporters numbers within the stadium. So whether a stadium consists of terracing, seats or a mixture of both, if no one controls who goes in, they can both become unsafe - exactly what Taylor concluded.

Many are supporting the idea of "safe standing", that a section of supporters should be allowed to stand in front of their allocated seat. On the one hand this seems simple enough. But with the new design of all seater stadia, the stands are now significantly steeper than the terracing. This is potentially dangerous too, and so any action, if it were to come, would have to be decided on a stadium-by-stadium basis. But people must get used to the fact that all seater stadia in the top two tiers of British football are here to stay. For although they have "killed the atmosphere" according to many, they have brought a much easier life for the football fan by virtually eliminating in-stadia fights and rioting and made the football experience more pleasant. Football supporters enjoy a freer life than they did 20 years ago. Look how far we have come.

Revival

Plymouth Argyle 3 - 0 Colchester United

As at our hard-fought FA Cup battle on Saturday, Argyle played tonight's game with all guns blazing with Norris, Ebanks-Blake and Gosling getting on the scoresheet. For a full 90 minutes Argyle owned tha game, with Colchester rarely getting a shot on goal, and when they did, Luke's keeping was excellent. Norris put Argyle 1-0 up, followed by SEB's penalty resulting from a foul on himself and Gosling buring the game in the second half.

Hopefully the new-found 'flighting spirit' will continue in both the league and the cup. But it seems we running to stay still.

FA Cup Quarter Final update

Plymouth Argyle - Watford.
Saturday 10 March.

Certainly winnable, but will history repeat itself?

BBC's review of the Derby match:

Bojan Back

In the midst of yesterday's celebrations, I probably went unnoticed that Bojan Djordjic is back. Though he was a non playing substitution, it's good to see he is now fit enough to be picked.

Cup Fever

Que sera, sera. What ever'll be, will be. We're going to Wembley...
Argyle at Wembley!

Cup Fever has finally hit Plymouth. If the 5th rounds were bad enough, Argyle pounded Derby to get through to the Quarter Finals. In an amazing game where Argyle, who had 11 first team members out for various reasons, out played top of the league Derby for most of the match. Gallen took over suspended Aljofree's penalty take when Argyle were awarded for taking Gallen down after 14 minutes. Bywater [Derby keeper] got to the shot, but not forceful enough to keep it out of the net. It could have been 2-0 after another foul led to another penalty. But this time Bywater outpsyched him. A real head on battle from Argyle ensued for the remainder of the game that has not been seen in a long time. And though Derby had their chances, McCormick's saves and good defending denied them the goals, but they went down to 10 men for a second time at Home Park after Moore was sent off for a second yellow. Sinclair once again showed off his class, and why he is so highly thought of, by making many a fast run down the wing and once again finding the back of the net with a header and sending thereby the Greens through.

One of the best football played in a long while at Home Park had an intense 'stomach-in-mouth' feel from start to finish and kept people on the edge of their seat. Today's result was nothing but inspiring and brings a lump to the throat. All of the Green Army's eyes will be eagerly waiting the draw on Monday when ball 4 will see who and where we are to play on the 10th March.

(Due to the quarter finals, the scheduled match verses Burnley away will be rescheduled)

No Phase 2?

It has been stated that Paul Stapleton was interviewed on Sparksy's Breakfast show on
BBC Radio Devon. During this interview he alluded to the fact that phase 2 of Home Park will NOT start this, or next season.

If this is true, the current board will have lost a lot of credibility amongst many Argyle supporters; and will cement the feeling that Argyle is a third-rate ambitionless club punching above its weight.

State of Play

The state of play for the first squad for this Saturday doesn't make happy reading:

1	Romain Larrieu (gk)	on loan to Gillingham
4	Lilian Nallis (m)
6	Hasney Aljofree (d)	suspended
7	David Norris (m)
8	Akos Buszaky (m)	injured
9	Sylvan Ebanks Blake (s)
10	Barry Hayles (s)	suspended / injured
11	Nick Chadwick (s)	long term injured
13	Mathias Doumbe (d)	injured
14	Tony Capaldi (m)
15	Paul Wotton (m)	long term injured
18	Gary Sawyer (d)
19	Marcel Seip (d)
20	Lee Hodges (m)
21	Cherno Samba (s)	on loan to Wrexham
22	Paul Connolly (d)
23	Luke McCormick (gk)
24	Josh Clapham (gk)
25	Ryan Dickson (m)	on loan to Torquay
26	Scott Sinclair (s)
27	Reuban Reid (m)	on loan to Rochdale
28	Scott Laird (d)
29	Luke Summerfield (m)
30	Dan Gosling (m)
31	Anthony Mason (s)
32	Bojan Djordjic (m)	long term injured
33	Rory Fallon (s)	cup tied

As it seems that Argyle's play-off hopes sank with the Sunderland defeat, so the FA Cup could be a bitter battle. With a whole team out due to injuries, loans and suspensions, once again there will be a different starting line up on Saturday. This will put a heavy reliance on our new and younger members, who get tired quickly and another non-regular line up will take time to settle down, and Argyle must watch against early attacks and silly mistakes.
If Saturday ends in defeat, will it mark the end of Argyle's season? Without the play offs and the cup to play for, the last games of the season will once again become 'consolodation' games, which are never inspiring. There is a possibility that Argyle's season will limp out with a wimper in front of a shrinking attendance.

Finishing, Determination and Suspension

Plymouth Argyle 0 - 2 Sunderland

Saturday's match verses Sunderland, was a game of finishing and determination. Two things that seemed lacking from Argyle's performance. The first half was end to end football, we Argyle unable to break through the Sunderland wall, and when they did, were unable to finish off any chances that came their way.

The team played was a result of the numerous bookings and suspensions that Argyle have picked up this season - with Hayles and Aljofree serving match bans for 10 yellows, Seip out for 5 yellows and now Doumbe out for the same reason. And not to forget those still out due to injuries.

But never the less the players looked rusty and worn out, and once Sunderland big money subs started coming off the bench and their goal came, the drive had been knocked out of Argyle. A second Sunderland goal came just 2 minutes later and that was the game dead and buried.

A very poor day at PAFC.

The Beast

It looks like Ollie's 'beast' has finally arrived at Home Park!

Stadium Review #14 - Molineux

Ground Information: Molineux (Wolverhampton wanderers FC) Capacity 29,400

Appearance: A club that's resisted the urge to go 'bowl' with four distinct separate stands. The space frame looks more 'Mechano' than others using the technology. 3 stands looked highly polished off, but the away entrance had the Norwich 'car park' feel to it. The use of the club crest everywhere is imaginative in some cases. Inside, the high backed stands look intimidating as the away section is very low and shallow. The decision not to fill in the corners works to some supporters' disadvantage (see view section) and they've decided to remove the funny seats next to the South Bank that extend beyond the touch line. 6/10

View: The away stand must be unique among the clubs, as you are on the touch line and not behind the goal, this means you can position yourself right by the halfway line. But the shallowness and length means that the support is spread over a long distance, this has a negative affect on singing and chanting; the Green Army were at a distinct loss. Now those corners. I think anyone who attended should have a refund for being unable to watch the first 20 minutes of the match due to the sun. 5/10

Getting there: Random. Turn left at just before West Bromwich, and battle the ring road. Though as the ground is next to (and below the level of) the ring road - meaning you can see the distinct orange space frame - if you miss it first time, go round again! 6/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): Cavenous. As the away end is a side stand, the whole of the lower concourse is given to supporters, it goes on and on with several bars and numerous toilets (which are large as well with strange looking urinals). But no TVs. 7/10

Food and Drink: A Black Country club selling another great Balti pie, but unlike Birmingham, this one did not stand up to the pastry test - the bottom fell off. Outside there were numerous chick wagons selling lots of food from burgers to hot pork rolls. 8/10

Stewarding/Police: Didn't see any West Mildlands police (except for the ASDA shop lifters!). The stewards little dance of leaping up from their stand-side seats when anything controversial happened was very funny. People stood on the back row had a hard time, being constantly told to sit down. 6/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): Shop at ASDA. There's a good pub across its car park with a beer garden, and the city centre is through the underpass under the ring road (note that many pubs in the city centre don't allow in away fans). 5/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): They did a lot better than we could in raising an atmosphere, and the Wolves we met at the pub were friendly. But they are let down by the 'fans' that try to attack the away support - one of the official coaches was stoned and several Argyle supporters were threatened. 5/10

Total score: 48/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
= St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
= Molineux (Wolves): 48
The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

The Laws Association Football

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 2 Plymouth Argyle

In 1863 the FA adopted 14 rules in order to regulate the game of football. These 14 basic rules became the Laws of soccer and were*:

1. The maximum pitch length is 200yds, maximum breadth 100yds, marked with corner posts and a goal defined by posts 8 yds apart
2. The game shall commence with a placed kick from the centre at which opposing players shall not be within 10 yds. After a goal the losing side shall kick off
3. The two sides change ends after each goal
4. A goal is scored when the ball passes between the posts (without being thrown, knocked or carried over)
5. When the ball is in touch the first player to touch the ball shall throw it at right angles back onto the pitch from the point at which the ball left the field.
6. A player is out of play is he is in front of the ball
7. If the ball passes the goal line, if the first player to touch the ball is of the defending team he shall restart with a kick 10 yds from the goal line; if he is of the attacking team, 15 yds from the goal line, opposite where the ball left play
8. If a player makes a fair catch (when the ball is caught after it was last touched by an opponant), he can claim a free kick provided he makes a mark with his heel immediately.
9. A player can run toward his opponant's goal if he makes a fair catch or catches the ball after the first bounce
10. Players may defend their goal from the attacking player controlling the ball by charging, hacking, holding, tripping or wrestling but hold holding and hacking at the same time
11. Tripping or hacking are not permitted, neither is using his hands, elbows to push or hold (except for circumstances in Law 10)
12. Any player shall be allowed to charge if they are both active
13. A player can throw the ball if he makes a fair catch or catches the ball after the first bounce
14. No player shall wear protecting nails, iron plates, or latex in his boots

Today some of those rules seem bizarre. Obviously all handling of the ball has now been outlawed, changing ends now only occurs at the beginning of each half and what happens when the ball is in touch, but the foundations of today's Laws are visable.

Today's Laws, on the face of it, have only increased by 4 to 18. And I would think that most people agree with them (such as a more definitive way of who takes the throw in, and the more recent blooded players leaving and changing kits) But each Law is no longer a single small paragraph, all of them incurring several paragraphs of explaination and running to several pages. So have the FA et al gone too far?

Take the recent offside changes. The offside rule was introduced to stop 'goal mouth sitting' - as seen in schools where players wait by the keeper waiting for a pass - and most people would agree that this is good. The rule was changed recently to allow more goals, as it was felt the Offside was too strict. The trouble is that now many supporters (and some assistant referees) are no longer able to follow the players' movements on the pitch close enough to decide whether they are active or passive.

But then again, should the Laws be changed again. Would introducing things such as video replays and mic'ed referees assist the game? Certainly having referees being more accountable for their actions would help, for example the awarding of a free kick that led to the Wolves' equaliser and Sinclair's yellow for diving when he tripped. Likewise at times when both the referee and assistants are uncertain, the use of video replay would be advantageous. After all they both work in rugby and there is only a short break of play.

Never the less, the main root of these troubles is the supporters inability to conenct with what they are seeing on the pitch. With falling attendances, people need to feel more connected with what is happening - whether it be a change in Laws to make them more simple, or a change to add more communication.

*these have been précised

Stadium Review #13 - The Hawthorns

Ground Information: The Hawthorns (West Bromwich Albion FC) Capacity 28.,003

Appearance: From the exterior, some sides looked much like a new block of flats, but the blank blue corner aspects were very boring and jarring - just a huge blue wall. Was very surprised at how open the Birmingham Road end was, the exit gates being just normal bared gates straight onto the road; several people were watching the Arsenal match through them. From the inside, the smaller Halford Lane stand provided the 'novelty factor' What also surprised me was the seating on the Birmingham Road stand that was around the corner! 6/10

View: Sat near the back of the Smethwick End stand near the segregation, a bit far away but a good view unless people in the two rows in front stand, then you have no chance unless you stand too. 6/10

Getting there: One of the easiest grounds ever - turn right at M5 junction 1!. The Hawthorns metro station is nearby, but miles away from a mainline station. Car parking is available in any of the dodgy looking empty warehouses next to the ground. Ironically this is 'secured parking'. The coach drops you off a 5 minute walk from the ground, which seems bizarre to start with but makes sense at the end of the game (see stewarding/police section) 9/10

Facilities (toilets, TVs etc): Another stadium with excellent toilet facilities, though the concourse was a little cramped. Only one bar/food outlet facility is available, meaning long queues. The usual TVs were dotted around. Plus if you are of a larger build, you may want to book two seats, these are the most cramped I've ever been in - no leg or shoulder room at all. And what about the adverts played at half time? It's like going to a cheap cinema! 6/10

Food and Drink: Wasn't feeling too great so only had a chocolate bar. Even if I wanted a pie, there was only one left (which I gallantly offered to my mate). Reasonable prices. 7/10

Stewarding/Police: How many stewards and police does it take to evict three people? Answer 15 coppers and 13 stewards. Most probably one of the most over zealous displays ever witnesses, especially as one of the evictees had his head rammed into the metal advertising board when his resisted arrest. Plus the bizarre post-match segregation that leads you down an alleyway to the middle of nowhere, at the bottom of the hill back up to the main road. Very poor showing. 2/10

Surrounding area (what's there to do outside the ground): Grim northern s**thole is too nice really. Apart from a McDonalds, there's nothing else but a load of rundown warehouses and an electrical store nearby. There are very few pubs too, you need to hunt out an away-fan friendly one (or just arrive really early and claim one). 4/10

Home fans (their contribution to the atmosphere etc): Some would say they were poor, but home atmospheres are suffering all over the league this season, but at least they did sing even if many couldn't hear them. 6/10

Total score: 46/80

Stadium League Table:
Pride Park (Derby): 65
Poltair Park (St Austell): 57 [non league]
Stadium of Light (Sunderland): 55
Ricoh Arena (Coventry):51
= Carrow Road (Norwich): 50
= Walkers Stadium (Leicester): 50
Underhill (Barnet): 49
St Andrews (Birmingham): 48
The Hawthorns (WBA): 46
Deepdale (Preston): 43
Ninian Park (Cardiff): 42
Roots Hall (Southend): 41
London Road (Peterbrough): 36

Eyes of a Thrush

West Bromwich Albion 2 - 1 Plymouth Argylle*

Many will protest that it should have been 2-3 if only the referee had the eyes of a hawk instead of the heart of a Baggie. Argyle were very pedestrian for most of the match, and playing against WBA's 12th, 13th and 14th players; the referee's and assistants' decision making left little to be desired when, from the stand (and dugout) the Laws were enforced arbitrarily. From Akos' (accidental?) handball leading to their penalty through to both of Argyle's turned down penalties, the visitors were wading through the treacle of rules the officials enforced, and so most of the time were trying to avoid any confrontation that might lead to a booking or WBA's advantage, leading to us giving Kamera too much freedom.

Again, Sinclair managed to spice up the team. I feel that it is unfair of the Green Army to pile so much pressure upon him since his Barnet goal; if he doesn't dish up the goods every game, they may turn against him. But once again Scott managed to come up trumps with his quick, weaving runs the left side. His ball control delivered it into the Baggies' box but most of the time, no one was on the receiving end except for a WBA player. It wasn't until Fallon's goal that Argyle got stuck in. An equaliser was going to come, but not in the time left to play.

Once again, this was a 'what if...' game.



*deliberate mistake. This is how WBA decided to spell Argyle on their advertising. I like to think the signwriters' meeting went something along the lines of: "How'd you spell it - Argyle? Argyll?" "Dunno, we'll cover both bases and put down both".