Gillingham 2 - 1 Plymouth Argyle (Summerfield)
So basically nothing's changed. We're crap. We're crap in the league cup - Sturrock has no hold over cup games and can do nothing to break the predictability of losing as soon as we're in. But more importantly on the pitch, nothing has changed in how we play - namely the wasted chances. Even when in control of the game. Where other teams like to have a pop at goal, we take the cautious route, don't bother and let the opposition score. There were good individual performances, and Summerfield managed to actually get on the score sheet, so at least there was some hope of a come back - small mercies.
Argyle were tipped to be the only team to go through tonight and that's a poison chalaice to start with, have they not learnt from the past? So once again it's off for an early shower, because frankly, who wanted it more?
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Argyle's New World
The brand "New World" has been rolled out at Home Park at the start of the new season to mark the new regime's presence at the helm of the good ship Mayflower.
The dawn of New World encompasses a host of initiatives including:
- the introduction of barcoded tickets for the home turnstiles. Season Tickets and matchday tickets now come complete with a barcode that is scanned by the turnstile operator, the information is then sent to the box office to confirm the ticket's validity. Hopefully this scheme has been tested with more than 5 people attempting to enter at the same day, or we'll be seeing long queues well after kick off next week.
- a new corporate entertainment venue. Aside from the Pyramid Suite, Executive boxes, Argyle Lounge and the Chisholm lounge, the executive boxes in the East end of the grandstand have been ripped out and replaced by the new Business Club where guests can watch the game from the comfort of never having to mingle with the masses and their prawn sandwiches will be freshly delivered from Ginsters.
- matchday 'mix and mingle'. Players not included in the team can no longer sit back at the rear of the grandstand, they must turn up suited and booted and be prepared to meet the fans including informal chats and autograph signings in the superstore, giving speeches in the corporate hospitality suites and keeping the fore-mentioned business clients happy.
- the subtle rebranding of the online superstore to Argyle Direct.
- the football specials.
Some good initiatives there but let's hope they're not just putting a cherry on a turd and the new regime has a bit more substance.
The dawn of New World encompasses a host of initiatives including:
- the introduction of barcoded tickets for the home turnstiles. Season Tickets and matchday tickets now come complete with a barcode that is scanned by the turnstile operator, the information is then sent to the box office to confirm the ticket's validity. Hopefully this scheme has been tested with more than 5 people attempting to enter at the same day, or we'll be seeing long queues well after kick off next week.
- a new corporate entertainment venue. Aside from the Pyramid Suite, Executive boxes, Argyle Lounge and the Chisholm lounge, the executive boxes in the East end of the grandstand have been ripped out and replaced by the new Business Club where guests can watch the game from the comfort of never having to mingle with the masses and their prawn sandwiches will be freshly delivered from Ginsters.
- matchday 'mix and mingle'. Players not included in the team can no longer sit back at the rear of the grandstand, they must turn up suited and booted and be prepared to meet the fans including informal chats and autograph signings in the superstore, giving speeches in the corporate hospitality suites and keeping the fore-mentioned business clients happy.
- the subtle rebranding of the online superstore to Argyle Direct.
- the football specials.
Some good initiatives there but let's hope they're not just putting a cherry on a turd and the new regime has a bit more substance.
And We're Off...
Crystal Palace 1 (Lee 62) - 1 Plymouth Argyle (Timar 5)
A but of a sweet and sour start to the season's campaign, and this excludes what was happening in the away changing room toilet at Loftus Road*, with a valuable point or 2 points lost. Whilst it was encouraging to see that the Greens created more chances and attacks on goal than last season, as Sturrock put it 'we sat on the lead and defended too deep'. Er, hello Paul! We did that all last season, why the heck do you think it would have changed if you're still in charge and not changed the attitude? It's up to you to direct the game as it happens - if there's too much defending then bloody well sort it out! The formation he chose worked better than last season, and he chose to play safe with his team selection - though the new 7 subs rule this season saw new keeper Letheren warm the bench alongside Johnson - and resulted in a goal by Timar after 5 minutes, and it wasn't until just after the second half kick off until the Eagles pulled it back. But still there wasn't that much to excite the eye at the dawn of the New World except to say that they didn't fall to pieces after the Palace goal and managed to keep their heads.
A but of a sweet and sour start to the season's campaign, and this excludes what was happening in the away changing room toilet at Loftus Road*, with a valuable point or 2 points lost. Whilst it was encouraging to see that the Greens created more chances and attacks on goal than last season, as Sturrock put it 'we sat on the lead and defended too deep'. Er, hello Paul! We did that all last season, why the heck do you think it would have changed if you're still in charge and not changed the attitude? It's up to you to direct the game as it happens - if there's too much defending then bloody well sort it out! The formation he chose worked better than last season, and he chose to play safe with his team selection - though the new 7 subs rule this season saw new keeper Letheren warm the bench alongside Johnson - and resulted in a goal by Timar after 5 minutes, and it wasn't until just after the second half kick off until the Eagles pulled it back. But still there wasn't that much to excite the eye at the dawn of the New World except to say that they didn't fall to pieces after the Palace goal and managed to keep their heads.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Return of the Football Specials
BBC Radio Devon's Green Buff, Gordon Sparks, mentioned today on his programme the return of Football Specials to Plymouth.
A network of buses will run from around the city to Home Park on matchdays, which are FREE upon production of a matchday ticket and will stop at all recognised stops along each route.
The routes are:
PA1: Wembury, Staddiscombe, Plymstock
PA2: Plympton, Laira, Mutley, Peverell
PA3: Glenholt, Derriford Hospital, Estover, Leigham, Austin Farm
PA4: Tamerton Foliot, Southway, Crownhill
PA5: Whitley, Earnesettle, West Park, Honicknowle
PA6: Saltash, St Budeaux
PA7: City Centre circular
More details available here
Timetables
What a fantastic scheme! Exactly what people have been asking for over the last few years, plus it will ease congestion and parking at Home Park and at no extra cost to supporters. However, this may pave the way for a charge to be introduced at the car park in Central Park. But for now it deserves our support.
A network of buses will run from around the city to Home Park on matchdays, which are FREE upon production of a matchday ticket and will stop at all recognised stops along each route.
The routes are:
PA1: Wembury, Staddiscombe, Plymstock
PA2: Plympton, Laira, Mutley, Peverell
PA3: Glenholt, Derriford Hospital, Estover, Leigham, Austin Farm
PA4: Tamerton Foliot, Southway, Crownhill
PA5: Whitley, Earnesettle, West Park, Honicknowle
PA6: Saltash, St Budeaux
PA7: City Centre circular
More details available here
Timetables
What a fantastic scheme! Exactly what people have been asking for over the last few years, plus it will ease congestion and parking at Home Park and at no extra cost to supporters. However, this may pave the way for a charge to be introduced at the car park in Central Park. But for now it deserves our support.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
3 Days to Go
The new campaign starts in 3 days with the away trip to Palace followed by the League Cup haul to Gillingham, and where are we?
Jason Puncheon, a well liked flair player, has gone on a year's loan to MK Dons, effectively extending his stay there from last season. Some Pilgrims fans do not agree with Sturrock's decision to get rid of an effective player from the squad. Doumbe is also near to signing for Millwall after he fell out of favour and was replaced by Barker, Walton was also trialling for the Lions at the same time.
New signing Wright-Philips is already signed for a year long loan. Judge returns from Blackburn and impressed Sturrock with his commitment last season.
It's time for the club to ramp up the publicity for the club, especially as the Palace game is already a sell out.
Jason Puncheon, a well liked flair player, has gone on a year's loan to MK Dons, effectively extending his stay there from last season. Some Pilgrims fans do not agree with Sturrock's decision to get rid of an effective player from the squad. Doumbe is also near to signing for Millwall after he fell out of favour and was replaced by Barker, Walton was also trialling for the Lions at the same time.
New signing Wright-Philips is already signed for a year long loan. Judge returns from Blackburn and impressed Sturrock with his commitment last season.
It's time for the club to ramp up the publicity for the club, especially as the Palace game is already a sell out.
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Geddon ya Janner
From obscurity to nationwide coverage, following the appearance of Pilgrim Pete on the BBC adverts for the Championship, Argyle are now featuring in an advert by Aviva. Green Army member, Paul Whitehouse (now there's irony really), sporting this season's short and a rather dodgy accent, talks about how he, Big Dave, Burd, Buey and Janner had spend so much money on 22 away games last season (which one did they miss?) and champions the insurance company on his drive to Newcastle speculating on what he will spend his saved money on.
If you haven't seen it yet, catch it on YouTube
If you haven't seen it yet, catch it on YouTube
Friday, 31 July 2009
Pilgrim Pete
gets a staring role in the BBC Sport adverts.
Keep an eye out for the adverts on the BBC for their football coverage to see Pilgrim Pete with his mascot friends (or enemies).
Keep an eye out for the adverts on the BBC for their football coverage to see Pilgrim Pete with his mascot friends (or enemies).
No Naked Matches
Probably a disappointment for some of the ladies, but the away kit was launched today. It appears some people got a sneak peak at what it would be when the club accidentally released a negative version of it instead of the long sleeve home shirt.
After the last few years of dabbling with tangergreen, yellow and black, Argyle have returned to the new 'traditional' green and white colour scheme and have a two smart shirts.
After the last few years of dabbling with tangergreen, yellow and black, Argyle have returned to the new 'traditional' green and white colour scheme and have a two smart shirts.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
Preseason: Heart of Midlothian
Argyle 0 - 0 Harts
A good sign hopefully, the last few matches have seen a positive attitude towards the game, even though there was nothing to see from the 90 minutes' effort. Players have stated that there is a positivity at the club and that the mood is that finally the Greens will be going somewhere. The change of mood in the club is excellent following last season's dour negativity that permeated everything and brought such a bad outcome. The warm up games compared to last season's will hopefully see Argyle go into the season on the right footing, which should have a knock on effect with the momentum continuing. Those at the match have said that the players are working better and producing some good style. Vive la revolution!
A good sign hopefully, the last few matches have seen a positive attitude towards the game, even though there was nothing to see from the 90 minutes' effort. Players have stated that there is a positivity at the club and that the mood is that finally the Greens will be going somewhere. The change of mood in the club is excellent following last season's dour negativity that permeated everything and brought such a bad outcome. The warm up games compared to last season's will hopefully see Argyle go into the season on the right footing, which should have a knock on effect with the momentum continuing. Those at the match have said that the players are working better and producing some good style. Vive la revolution!
Sunday, 26 July 2009
Preseason: Unirea and Morecambe
Unirea 1 - 2 Plymouth Argyle
Morecambe 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle
Preseason back on track with two wins and marking the end of the 'tour'. What's become most interesting to me is that supporters who watch have said that Argyle appear to be hammering out a Plan B of sorts. All through last season there was only one plan and frequently it went wrong. There was no possibility of getting out of trouble, there were very few come backs and once we conceded a goal it was a conclusion that the game was beyond reach. However there appears to have been a change and some semblance of an attempt to turn things around is emerging. Long may it continue.
Morecambe 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle
Preseason back on track with two wins and marking the end of the 'tour'. What's become most interesting to me is that supporters who watch have said that Argyle appear to be hammering out a Plan B of sorts. All through last season there was only one plan and frequently it went wrong. There was no possibility of getting out of trouble, there were very few come backs and once we conceded a goal it was a conclusion that the game was beyond reach. However there appears to have been a change and some semblance of an attempt to turn things around is emerging. Long may it continue.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Departure
The end of the month sees two departures from Argyle, namely keeper Graham Stack will have his contract terminated on 1st August, and Michael Dunford will leave from 31st July.
Stack's departure comes as a welcome relief to many as he is seen as a rotten apple who's caused dissent and rot in the heart of team spirit, whilst Dunford's departure is more natural following the take over and his tenure coming to an end. Dunford has lead from the helm for many years and has over seen a lot of good at Argyle, but is also felt to have caused stumbling blocks and in more recent years held the club back. What ever both should be wished well in their future.
Stack's departure comes as a welcome relief to many as he is seen as a rotten apple who's caused dissent and rot in the heart of team spirit, whilst Dunford's departure is more natural following the take over and his tenure coming to an end. Dunford has lead from the helm for many years and has over seen a lot of good at Argyle, but is also felt to have caused stumbling blocks and in more recent years held the club back. What ever both should be wished well in their future.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Squaddies
The squad numbers for the forthcoming season have now been finalised:
1 Romain Larrieu
2 Karl Duguid
3 Jim Paterson
4 Carl Fletcher
5 Krisztian Timar
6 Chris Clark
7 Jason Puncheon
8 Jamie Mackie
9 Steve Maclean
10 Bradley Wright-Phillips
11 Kari Arnason
12 Green Army
13 Mathias Kouo- Doumbe
14 Rory Fallon
15 Chris Barker
16 David McNamee
17 Craig Noone
18 Gary Sawyer
19 Marcel Seip
20 Luke Summerfield
21 Graham Stack
24 Ashley Barnes
26 Yannick Bolasie
27 Lloyd Saxton
28 George Donnelly
29 Damien McCrory
30 Simon Walton
31 Yoann Folly
32 Joe Mason
33 Ben Gerring
34 Liam Head
35 Ryan Brett
40 Argyle Foundation
1 Romain Larrieu
2 Karl Duguid
3 Jim Paterson
4 Carl Fletcher
5 Krisztian Timar
6 Chris Clark
7 Jason Puncheon
8 Jamie Mackie
9 Steve Maclean
10 Bradley Wright-Phillips
11 Kari Arnason
12 Green Army
13 Mathias Kouo- Doumbe
14 Rory Fallon
15 Chris Barker
16 David McNamee
17 Craig Noone
18 Gary Sawyer
19 Marcel Seip
20 Luke Summerfield
21 Graham Stack
24 Ashley Barnes
26 Yannick Bolasie
27 Lloyd Saxton
28 George Donnelly
29 Damien McCrory
30 Simon Walton
31 Yoann Folly
32 Joe Mason
33 Ben Gerring
34 Liam Head
35 Ryan Brett
40 Argyle Foundation
Another New Signing
Now we should never question a signing as we are desperate for all the help we can get, yet why have we signed another player and not sold any, when we are supposed to have too big a squad already? Maybe the new board have caused the old mantra of not enough money and balancing the books to be brushed aside and we can now spend with wanton abandon. Puzzling.
But anyway, Icelandic midfielder, Kari Arnason has signed on a one year deal and will take the number 11 shirt. The 26 year old has played in many countries including Sweden and Denmark as well as Iceland.
But anyway, Icelandic midfielder, Kari Arnason has signed on a one year deal and will take the number 11 shirt. The 26 year old has played in many countries including Sweden and Denmark as well as Iceland.
Pre-season: Livingstone
Livingstone 2 - 1 Argyle
Oh, it's getting worse an echo of last year where pre-season ended in losses that carried on to the whole of the season and league game. I hope it will not be the same again, yet news from onlookers is worrying as the Greens are regressing to the poor style of play that we saw for far too long. Has Sturrock et al not learnt anything?
Oh, it's getting worse an echo of last year where pre-season ended in losses that carried on to the whole of the season and league game. I hope it will not be the same again, yet news from onlookers is worrying as the Greens are regressing to the poor style of play that we saw for far too long. Has Sturrock et al not learnt anything?
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Preseason: Torquay and Skelmersdale
Torquay United 3 - 3 Plymouth Argyle (Fallon, Sawyer, Summerfield)
Skelmersdale United 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle (Fallon, Paterson)
Is there a cause for concern already for next season in what we are seeing in pre-season? The reason being that the opposition are very critical of how the Greens are playing at the moment, even if they are getting the wins. With the exception of the Torquay match, every game so far has been a win. Though you must wonder why a Championship team can only hold out for a draw against a Blue Square when Bristol Rovers (league 1) can beat then 4-1.
For the Gulls game Sturrock appears to have played his near-first XI, with a couple of exceptions (Saxton in goal again, and some half time swaps) and likewise for Skelmersdale a selection from his forst choices (with Larrieu and Wright-Philips). But even so the Skel fans are not impressed by the 'so called Championship club's' performance, though it's very interesting to see that fans' un-favourites are baggibg the pre-season goals, though possibly the 'stroll in the park' style of play could be helping.
Sturrock still has a lot of work to do on the squad, not least trying to offload those he hates to any Tom, Dick or Harry who'll come in for them with an offer of a mint polo and a cheeky smile, but so far even that hasn't happened. The markerting of disgraced players who are constantly talked down in the press, banished from games, left out of training and left behind on the tour is pathetic and quite frankly so Argyle. If other clubs have managed to offload their trash (mainly to the Pilgrims!) and to big up their fallen stars (Barton for example) then it's surely not beyond possibility.
The Scotland tour is now under way with some doubt still cast over the game verses Livingstone.
Skelmersdale United 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle (Fallon, Paterson)
Is there a cause for concern already for next season in what we are seeing in pre-season? The reason being that the opposition are very critical of how the Greens are playing at the moment, even if they are getting the wins. With the exception of the Torquay match, every game so far has been a win. Though you must wonder why a Championship team can only hold out for a draw against a Blue Square when Bristol Rovers (league 1) can beat then 4-1.
For the Gulls game Sturrock appears to have played his near-first XI, with a couple of exceptions (Saxton in goal again, and some half time swaps) and likewise for Skelmersdale a selection from his forst choices (with Larrieu and Wright-Philips). But even so the Skel fans are not impressed by the 'so called Championship club's' performance, though it's very interesting to see that fans' un-favourites are baggibg the pre-season goals, though possibly the 'stroll in the park' style of play could be helping.
Sturrock still has a lot of work to do on the squad, not least trying to offload those he hates to any Tom, Dick or Harry who'll come in for them with an offer of a mint polo and a cheeky smile, but so far even that hasn't happened. The markerting of disgraced players who are constantly talked down in the press, banished from games, left out of training and left behind on the tour is pathetic and quite frankly so Argyle. If other clubs have managed to offload their trash (mainly to the Pilgrims!) and to big up their fallen stars (Barton for example) then it's surely not beyond possibility.
The Scotland tour is now under way with some doubt still cast over the game verses Livingstone.
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
The Wright Stuff
Former Southampton striker, Bradley Wright-Philips, son of Ian Wright and half brother of Shaun Wright-Philips, has signed for Argyle. Previously playing for clubs such as Manchester City and Middlesbrough he has been described as a natural goal scorer, and scored 6 from 17 appearances for the Saints last season.
Wright-Philips has signed for 2 years after being released from Southampton and becomes the Green's second signing this summer. He describes himself as being born to score. It remains to be seen whether he will fit with Luggy's style and his talents will be allowed to flourish at Home Park.
Wright-Philips will wear the number 10 shirt.
Wright-Philips has signed for 2 years after being released from Southampton and becomes the Green's second signing this summer. He describes himself as being born to score. It remains to be seen whether he will fit with Luggy's style and his talents will be allowed to flourish at Home Park.
Wright-Philips will wear the number 10 shirt.
Preseason: Truro and Parkway
Truro City 0 - 2 Plymouth Argyle (Puncheon, Barnes)
Plymouth Parkway 1 - 3 Plymouth Argyle (Mason, Rickard)
Off to a good start with wins all round. Luggy deciding to play two separate teams at Truro but with second place keeper Saxton completing the full 90 minutes (Larrieu is injured) show that Stack is well out in the wilderness banished never to return waiting to be off loaded to whoever will have him. There are reports of two trialists who are shoruded in secerecy as normal for they don't appear in any match report. One is rumoured to be Kari Anderson, just 1 lucky one who has, so far, the Luggy X Factor. But that still remains to be seen. The youth got off to a poor start on Tuesday as Parkway bagged the first goal, but the Greens then equalised by converting the penalty before taking the lead thanks to Mason and Rickard. Sturrock is pleased with what he's seen, though some supporters state that there were some poor individual performances that have not changed since last season.
That'll do for starters, the first games of the warm up campaign to blow out the cob-webs and should now set the tone for the rest. As last season's pre-season was a washout followed by a washout of a season, these testing the water games are going to be an indication of what we can expect over the year.
Plymouth Parkway 1 - 3 Plymouth Argyle (Mason, Rickard)
Off to a good start with wins all round. Luggy deciding to play two separate teams at Truro but with second place keeper Saxton completing the full 90 minutes (Larrieu is injured) show that Stack is well out in the wilderness banished never to return waiting to be off loaded to whoever will have him. There are reports of two trialists who are shoruded in secerecy as normal for they don't appear in any match report. One is rumoured to be Kari Anderson, just 1 lucky one who has, so far, the Luggy X Factor. But that still remains to be seen. The youth got off to a poor start on Tuesday as Parkway bagged the first goal, but the Greens then equalised by converting the penalty before taking the lead thanks to Mason and Rickard. Sturrock is pleased with what he's seen, though some supporters state that there were some poor individual performances that have not changed since last season.
That'll do for starters, the first games of the warm up campaign to blow out the cob-webs and should now set the tone for the rest. As last season's pre-season was a washout followed by a washout of a season, these testing the water games are going to be an indication of what we can expect over the year.
Monday, 13 July 2009
5 Year Deal
Fancy signing up to Argyle for 5 years?
Well if you do you can now earn up to 25% off the cost over those 5 years with the new cumulative "New World Season Ticket" incentive scheme.
How it works is thus: Purchasing a season ticket for the 2009/10 season will give you 5% discount off the 2010/11 season tickets, which then gives you 10% discount on the 2011/12 season tickets and so on for 5 years, where by 2014/15 you will get 25% off (only on green season tickets).
So Argyle have come up with a scheme to encourage return supporters, and whilst this is rewarding those who already have a season ticket (along with the other incentives they receive), and are more than likely buy again, it does little to attract the new people to buy in the first place. The only thing that will encourage them is good performances on the pitch. And whether that is forthcoming remains to be seen.
Well if you do you can now earn up to 25% off the cost over those 5 years with the new cumulative "New World Season Ticket" incentive scheme.
How it works is thus: Purchasing a season ticket for the 2009/10 season will give you 5% discount off the 2010/11 season tickets, which then gives you 10% discount on the 2011/12 season tickets and so on for 5 years, where by 2014/15 you will get 25% off (only on green season tickets).
So Argyle have come up with a scheme to encourage return supporters, and whilst this is rewarding those who already have a season ticket (along with the other incentives they receive), and are more than likely buy again, it does little to attract the new people to buy in the first place. The only thing that will encourage them is good performances on the pitch. And whether that is forthcoming remains to be seen.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Plymouth Prices
Matchday ticket prices have seen a shake up yesterday when Argyle announced that the £2.00 surcharge for pay on the pay has been scrapped and the Mayflower Unreserved Seating prices have fallen by £7.00.
Grandstand, Devonport, Lyndhurst, Barn Park
Adult - £24
Over 65 and under 23 - £16
Under 18 - £7
Mayflower Terracing
Adult - £15
Over 65 and under 23 - £12
Under 18 - £5
Many people have bemoaned and cited ticket prices as a reason why the crowds won't turn up, now's the chance to test that theory with prices that no longer discriminate the last minute people, are on a par or lower than other clubs and include cut-price opition for those on a tighter budget.
Grandstand, Devonport, Lyndhurst, Barn Park
Adult - £24
Over 65 and under 23 - £16
Under 18 - £7
Mayflower Terracing
Adult - £15
Over 65 and under 23 - £12
Under 18 - £5
Many people have bemoaned and cited ticket prices as a reason why the crowds won't turn up, now's the chance to test that theory with prices that no longer discriminate the last minute people, are on a par or lower than other clubs and include cut-price opition for those on a tighter budget.
Monday, 6 July 2009
Getting Extra Friendly
An additional game verses Tiverton Town make the full list now:
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, Hearts, Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Monday 3 August, Tiverton Town, Ladysmead,19.45
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, Hearts, Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Monday 3 August, Tiverton Town, Ladysmead,19.45
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Give it some Heart
The home pre-season match will be verses SPL side, Hearts on Wednesday 29 July, 19.45.
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, Hearts, Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, Hearts, Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Took Over
Following Paul Stapleton's resignation as chairman today, Argyle have announced that Sir Roy Gardener will be his successor following him obtaining 13% of the club's shares.
The former Manchester United chairman, who left in 2005, took over the helm from Stapleton today and already has plans to aim towards top flight football and increase the budget for players, something Pilgrims fans have been longing to hear. Stapleton has stepped down to vice chairman, and he, Gardener, Dennerly, Wrathall and Todd, and Synan (who represents the 38% for K&K) will now be in charge of the Greens and marks the end of the takeover.
So far it has all been positive and with the influence of a football man, not least someone from the biggest club in the world, can hopefully only mean good for the beleaguered Argyle, now it's up to the new board to deliver on their words.
The former Manchester United chairman, who left in 2005, took over the helm from Stapleton today and already has plans to aim towards top flight football and increase the budget for players, something Pilgrims fans have been longing to hear. Stapleton has stepped down to vice chairman, and he, Gardener, Dennerly, Wrathall and Todd, and Synan (who represents the 38% for K&K) will now be in charge of the Greens and marks the end of the takeover.
So far it has all been positive and with the influence of a football man, not least someone from the biggest club in the world, can hopefully only mean good for the beleaguered Argyle, now it's up to the new board to deliver on their words.
Stapleton to Stand Down
Today at 11.00am.
According to BBC Radio Devon, Stapleton is due to stand down today marking the completion of the takeover, with the new board taking over.
Keep an eye on the local news for breaking details.
According to BBC Radio Devon, Stapleton is due to stand down today marking the completion of the takeover, with the new board taking over.
Keep an eye on the local news for breaking details.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
More Pre-Seasoning
A couple of additions to the pre-season schedule make the full list:
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, (opposition to be confirmed), Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Monday 20 July, Livingston, Almondvile
Wednesday 22 July, Unirea Urziceni
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday 29 July, (opposition to be confirmed), Home Park, 19.45
Saturday 1 August, Swindon Town, The County Ground, 15.00
Late Night Reading
The Tuesday evening game verses Reading at the Madjeski Stadium on the 9th February will now kick off at 8.00pm.
Very advanced warning there!
Very advanced warning there!
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Newsround 28/06/09
Its been so quiet that Newsround missed a week.
Season Ticket Prices
Prices for White and Pilgrim Memberships have been released:
White membership
Main ground: adults £154, over-65s and under-23s, £101, under-18s £47.
Mayflower Enclosure: adults £100, over-65s and under-23s £77, under-18s £35.
Pilgrim membership
£30
Player News
Nothing to get excited about, Sturrock's one in one out policy hasn't really gone anywhere, Stack is now 3rd choice goalkeeper, trialists are going to be sought using an X Factor format (I mean come on!!) whereby we have no trialists (now that is worrying) for preseason and Sturrock will see them all during a closed doors game, and Romain Larrieu is now club captain so congratulations to him.
Takeover News
Phil Gill resigned (which I somehow pre-emptively managed to report 2 weeks ago), making Kagami the majority shareholder.
Match News
The Boxing Day match at Cardiff's new ground has been changed to a 13.00 kick off. So the Heddlu can have an early night.
Kit News
The new home kit is now available in Argyle merchandise stockists. Still no sign of the away kit, so we shall probably be playing in skins. And come on what the hell is the hold up? Other clubs have had their kit on sale for weeks before the end of the season, by the looks of it the away kit will not be on sale to week after the start of the next.
Season Ticket Prices
Prices for White and Pilgrim Memberships have been released:
White membership
Main ground: adults £154, over-65s and under-23s, £101, under-18s £47.
Mayflower Enclosure: adults £100, over-65s and under-23s £77, under-18s £35.
Pilgrim membership
£30
Player News
Nothing to get excited about, Sturrock's one in one out policy hasn't really gone anywhere, Stack is now 3rd choice goalkeeper, trialists are going to be sought using an X Factor format (I mean come on!!) whereby we have no trialists (now that is worrying) for preseason and Sturrock will see them all during a closed doors game, and Romain Larrieu is now club captain so congratulations to him.
Takeover News
Phil Gill resigned (which I somehow pre-emptively managed to report 2 weeks ago), making Kagami the majority shareholder.
Match News
The Boxing Day match at Cardiff's new ground has been changed to a 13.00 kick off. So the Heddlu can have an early night.
Kit News
The new home kit is now available in Argyle merchandise stockists. Still no sign of the away kit, so we shall probably be playing in skins. And come on what the hell is the hold up? Other clubs have had their kit on sale for weeks before the end of the season, by the looks of it the away kit will not be on sale to week after the start of the next.
Saturday, 20 June 2009
A Bonnie Wee Game...
'gain' SPL side, Livingston on Monday 20 July at Almondvile and Romanian Champions, Unirea Urziceni on Wednesday 22 July (venue to be decided) is the line up for the pre-season tour to Scotland.
This is presuming the Livingston exist by the end of July.
This is presuming the Livingston exist by the end of July.
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Negativity
It festers and it has festered so long it's the norm. Therefore Luggy's comments regarding the League Cup draw at Gillingham come as no surprise. Apparently it's a tough tie, because of the 506 mile trip, although there is a hint at positivity as the promises the Greens will be professional and go to get a result. However, it does once again seem that by calling it a tough draw is once again an excuse for if the Pilgrims should lose.
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
Fixtures 2009/10
Today saw the release of the fixtures for next season and for once they are surprisingly kind to Argyle! They include:
We kick off the season away at Palace on 8 August and finish it at home with Peterbrough United on 2 May. The popular Blackpool away fixture will be in October.
Away games to Newcastle and Middlesbrough are on Saturday 19 September and 31 October respectively though we have to wait till April for the return fixtures for both. Over Christmas the Green play Cardiff away on Boxing day, again with no New Years Day match due to the FA Cup, rather kicking off the New Year at QPR on the 9th January.
The 5 away Tuesday matches are Peterborough United (September), Bristol City (October), Swansea (December) and Reading (February), Ipswich Town (March), which is not too bad considering, with just two long haul journeys.
Fixtures from The Herald
We kick off the season away at Palace on 8 August and finish it at home with Peterbrough United on 2 May. The popular Blackpool away fixture will be in October.
Away games to Newcastle and Middlesbrough are on Saturday 19 September and 31 October respectively though we have to wait till April for the return fixtures for both. Over Christmas the Green play Cardiff away on Boxing day, again with no New Years Day match due to the FA Cup, rather kicking off the New Year at QPR on the 9th January.
The 5 away Tuesday matches are Peterborough United (September), Bristol City (October), Swansea (December) and Reading (February), Ipswich Town (March), which is not too bad considering, with just two long haul journeys.
Fixtures from The Herald
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
And the honour of beating Argyle goes to...
...Gillingham.
Argyle have drawn Gillingham away in the 1st round of the League cup to be played in the second week of the season. Last year the Pilgrims were beaten by (now non-league) Luton Town, which is no surprise really as Argyle traditionally don't do well in the Cup matches (except for the spell under Holloway when they progressed to round 3 drawing West Ham).
This is Argyle's history in the League Cup when they've got beyond the first round. It doesn't make happy reading:
The full draw:
Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Huddersfield Town v Stockport County
Rotherham United v Derby County
Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Rochdale
Bury v West Bromwich Albion
Notts County v Doncaster Rovers
Lincoln City v Barnsley
Scunthorpe United v Chesterfield
Coventry City v Hartlepool United
Darlington v Leeds United
Preston North End v Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra v Blackpool
Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Bradford City
Macclesfield Town v Leicester City
Sheffield United v Port Vale
Cardiff City v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wycombe Wanderers v Peterborough United
Southampton v Northampton Town
Barnet v Watford
Hereford United v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town
Millwall v AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham v Plymouth Argyle
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Reading v Burton Albion
Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers
Cheltenham Town v Southend United
Brentford v Bristol City
Yeovil Town v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Torquay United
Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town
Swansea City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town
Argyle have drawn Gillingham away in the 1st round of the League cup to be played in the second week of the season. Last year the Pilgrims were beaten by (now non-league) Luton Town, which is no surprise really as Argyle traditionally don't do well in the Cup matches (except for the spell under Holloway when they progressed to round 3 drawing West Ham).
This is Argyle's history in the League Cup when they've got beyond the first round. It doesn't make happy reading:
| League Cup - Semi Final | |||||
| Season | Date | Match | |||
| 1973 | 30 Jan 1974 | Man City | 2-0 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1973 | 23 Jan 1974 | Plymouth Argyle | 1-1 | Man City | |
| 1964 | 10 Feb 1965 | Plymouth Argyle | 0-1 | Leicester City | |
| 1964 | 20 Jan 1965 | Leicester City | 3-2 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| League Cup - Round 5 | |||||
| Season | Date | Match | |||
| 1973 | 19 Dec 1973 | Birmingham | 1-2 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1964 | 25 Nov 1964 | Plymouth Argyle | 1-0 | Northampton | |
| League Cup - Round 4 | |||||
| Season | Date | Match | |||
| 1973 | 20 Nov 1973 | Q.P.R | 0-3 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1964 | 11 Nov 1964 | Plymouth Argyle | 3-1 | Stoke City | |
| 1964 | 4 Nov 1964 | Stoke City | 1-1 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1960 | 6 Feb 1961 | Plymouth Argyle | 3-5 | Aston Villa | |
| 1960 | 19 Dec 1960 | Plymouth Argyle | 0-0 | Aston Villa | |
| 1960 | 13 Dec 1960 | Aston Villa | 3-3 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| League Cup - Round 3 | |||||
| Season | Date | Match | |||
| 2007 | 26 Sep 2007 | West Ham | 1-0 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1992 | 11 Nov 1992 | Scarborough | 2-1 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1992 | 27 Oct 1992 | Plymouth Argyle | 3-3 | Scarborough | |
| 1990 | 31 Oct 1990 | Plymouth Argyle | 1-2 | Notts Forest | |
| 1979 | 2 Oct 1979 | Wimbledon | 1-0 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1979 | 25 Sep 1979 | Plymouth Argyle | 0-0 | Wimbledon | |
| 1973 | 30 Oct 1973 | Burnley | 1-2 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1964 | 14 Oct 1964 | Bury | 0-1 | Plymouth Argyle | |
| 1960 | 16 Nov 1960 | Plymouth Argyle | 3-1 | Birmingham | |
| 1960 | 14 Nov 1960 | Birmingham | 0-0 | Plymouth Argyle | |
The full draw:
Accrington Stanley v Walsall
Huddersfield Town v Stockport County
Rotherham United v Derby County
Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town
Sheffield Wednesday v Rochdale
Bury v West Bromwich Albion
Notts County v Doncaster Rovers
Lincoln City v Barnsley
Scunthorpe United v Chesterfield
Coventry City v Hartlepool United
Darlington v Leeds United
Preston North End v Morecambe
Crewe Alexandra v Blackpool
Carlisle United v Oldham Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Bradford City
Macclesfield Town v Leicester City
Sheffield United v Port Vale
Cardiff City v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wycombe Wanderers v Peterborough United
Southampton v Northampton Town
Barnet v Watford
Hereford United v Charlton Athletic
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot Town
Millwall v AFC Bournemouth
Gillingham v Plymouth Argyle
Colchester United v Leyton Orient
Reading v Burton Albion
Exeter City v Queens Park Rangers
Cheltenham Town v Southend United
Brentford v Bristol City
Yeovil Town v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Torquay United
Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town
Swansea City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Shrewsbury Town v Ipswich Town
Monday, 15 June 2009
3 Prong Attack
Argyle chairman, Stapleton has set out his threefold plan for the Greens and the way forward on the day that the news on the takeover was that there was no news. His aims are:
To resolve the proposed takeover of the club by director Yasuaki Kagami as soon as possible.
To ensure the Pilgrims are run on a profitable basis.
To set medium to long-term goals for the Home Park club to try to achieve
So...
1. To resolve the takeover.
This has dragged on and dragged on with no look of ending with little twists and turns such as the American interest, the savioured fan rep on the board, those in the know by some fluke sticking their feathered tails up at the proletariat, but nothing happening. Apparently a board member, Phill Gill, as resigned and sold his shares Yasuaki Kagami making Shoanan Management Company making them the largest stakeholder. This apparently is meant to lead other members selling their shares to that Kagami then holds 51% of the company, meaning that he can then take over. There is no doubt that Shoanan are involved in PAFC Ltd as they hold a number of shares, so what is going on that is holding things back. Stapleton mentioned back that he was desperate to ensure the club's integrity after the takeover. This leads to the question of what exactly is Kagami, who is not known as a football fan but a property developer, planning for the Pilgrims?
2. To ensure the Pilgrims are run on a profitable basis.
Should not be too difficult for am accountant, he's always said we're in a good situation and yet sometimes the mask falls. Last season the Greens made a loss and the perennial 'not big enough gates' is chanted after every match (it's mentioned in the article - have a look!). The waste of money by Sturrock last year coupled with the regular sell off of the family silver shows a different story. Sturrock's one out one in attitude to this summer's transfers and the desire for the takeover starkly shows that there is no money left.
3. To set medium to long-term goals for the Home Park club to try to achieve.
Another 5 point plan? Just 'survival is a big achievement' for the foreseeable future? Let's face it the Premier League is not going to be achievable by Argyle, and the club won't want to set the stakes that high - they haven't in 100 odd years, even when "if we're there, we'll go for it". So why would they now? So what is a medium/long-term goal that is achievable?
Answers on a post card please.
To be frank, it's not really anything exciting either. Number 1 is an immediate concern that has to be dealt with, number 2 has been going on since Stapleton and co too over, and number 3 is just paying lip service to the supporters.
To resolve the proposed takeover of the club by director Yasuaki Kagami as soon as possible.
To ensure the Pilgrims are run on a profitable basis.
To set medium to long-term goals for the Home Park club to try to achieve
So...
1. To resolve the takeover.
This has dragged on and dragged on with no look of ending with little twists and turns such as the American interest, the savioured fan rep on the board, those in the know by some fluke sticking their feathered tails up at the proletariat, but nothing happening. Apparently a board member, Phill Gill, as resigned and sold his shares Yasuaki Kagami making Shoanan Management Company making them the largest stakeholder. This apparently is meant to lead other members selling their shares to that Kagami then holds 51% of the company, meaning that he can then take over. There is no doubt that Shoanan are involved in PAFC Ltd as they hold a number of shares, so what is going on that is holding things back. Stapleton mentioned back that he was desperate to ensure the club's integrity after the takeover. This leads to the question of what exactly is Kagami, who is not known as a football fan but a property developer, planning for the Pilgrims?
2. To ensure the Pilgrims are run on a profitable basis.
Should not be too difficult for am accountant, he's always said we're in a good situation and yet sometimes the mask falls. Last season the Greens made a loss and the perennial 'not big enough gates' is chanted after every match (it's mentioned in the article - have a look!). The waste of money by Sturrock last year coupled with the regular sell off of the family silver shows a different story. Sturrock's one out one in attitude to this summer's transfers and the desire for the takeover starkly shows that there is no money left.
3. To set medium to long-term goals for the Home Park club to try to achieve.
Another 5 point plan? Just 'survival is a big achievement' for the foreseeable future? Let's face it the Premier League is not going to be achievable by Argyle, and the club won't want to set the stakes that high - they haven't in 100 odd years, even when "if we're there, we'll go for it". So why would they now? So what is a medium/long-term goal that is achievable?
Answers on a post card please.
To be frank, it's not really anything exciting either. Number 1 is an immediate concern that has to be dealt with, number 2 has been going on since Stapleton and co too over, and number 3 is just paying lip service to the supporters.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Newsround 14/06/09
As there's bugger all exciting happening, here's a few titbits from last week.
The Takeover
"Days away" is the new "imminent" as the takeover is week on week just 'days away',]although this week is has now become elusive but Stapleton is not worried but confident that there is no problems of 'relationships' causing tensions and delays. Last week it was learnt that Americans have been connected with K&K's interest. These things do take time to complete properly - we don't want to be going off half cocked do we? - but it ain't half frustrating that it's not done and dusted so the 'rebuilding' of the team can take place.
Team News
Homegrown Luke Summerfield has extended his stay at Home Park. Summers is a love-hate player who divides opinion because of his standard of play and his ability to be picked above other players when he's going badly.
On a brighter note, after a year of trying, Sturrock finally got his man by signing Carl Fletcher permanently to become the Pilgrim's first signing of the summer. Fletcher is more favoured among the Green Army and the signing has been the high point so far.
And in the rumours, ex player, Graham Coughlan could be returning to Home Park to take up a coaching role. Cocko was a well liked and respected player during his time for the Greens but does he have the necessary to coach a Championship team?
The Takeover
"Days away" is the new "imminent" as the takeover is week on week just 'days away',]although this week is has now become elusive but Stapleton is not worried but confident that there is no problems of 'relationships' causing tensions and delays. Last week it was learnt that Americans have been connected with K&K's interest. These things do take time to complete properly - we don't want to be going off half cocked do we? - but it ain't half frustrating that it's not done and dusted so the 'rebuilding' of the team can take place.
Team News
Homegrown Luke Summerfield has extended his stay at Home Park. Summers is a love-hate player who divides opinion because of his standard of play and his ability to be picked above other players when he's going badly.
On a brighter note, after a year of trying, Sturrock finally got his man by signing Carl Fletcher permanently to become the Pilgrim's first signing of the summer. Fletcher is more favoured among the Green Army and the signing has been the high point so far.
And in the rumours, ex player, Graham Coughlan could be returning to Home Park to take up a coaching role. Cocko was a well liked and respected player during his time for the Greens but does he have the necessary to coach a Championship team?
Thursday, 4 June 2009
We Built this FC on Loan Players
Hurrah! Luggy's going to try and go wild in the aisles of the loan mart, though he's cautious that loanees will be in high demands because of the economic climate.
Luggy's been in contact with 5-6 Premier managers with a view to talking to 20 agents for loan players for next season and thus has his "finger on the pulse" to target the players he wants.
So are we to actually possess any proper players next season, or are we going to be transient with loanees coming and going, propping up the team? In one way, given Sturrock's poor choices for permanent deadwood last season a turn over of players would be good - bring 'em in, if they don't cut the mustard send 'em back. And his loanees performed the better job last season to keep the greens up. But is it really a viable plan?
Luggy's been in contact with 5-6 Premier managers with a view to talking to 20 agents for loan players for next season and thus has his "finger on the pulse" to target the players he wants.
So are we to actually possess any proper players next season, or are we going to be transient with loanees coming and going, propping up the team? In one way, given Sturrock's poor choices for permanent deadwood last season a turn over of players would be good - bring 'em in, if they don't cut the mustard send 'em back. And his loanees performed the better job last season to keep the greens up. But is it really a viable plan?
Pre Season
Confirmed pre-season matches:
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Monday 13 July. Truro City, Treyew Road
Wednesday 15 July, Torquay United, Plainmoor, 19.45
Saturday 18 July, Skelmersdale United, The Skelmersdale & Ormskirk College Stadium, 15.00
Sunday 19 July - Friday 24 July, Pre-season Tour, Scotland
Saturday 25 July, Morecambe, Christie Park
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Black and Grey Barmy Army
The new Argyle leisure wear is now available at the new look Argyle Centre Spot. And Plymouth Argyle seem to now be paying homage to newly relegated Newcastle United. Everything's gone black and grey.
Now traditionally Argyle's colours have been Green and Black, then white joined in and more recently gold, yellow and orange have crept in. So in some ways we're going back to basics, however, where is the green? Argyle are just one of 2 English league clubs who play mainly in green, but you would not have thought that by looking at the leisure range. Adidas's new kits for us have been off the peg and so is their leisurewear, so whilst they can be applauded in some way of rejecting pink, luminous yellow, orange, brown, red, azure (though, we haven't seen the away kit yet!), this may just be taking things one step too far.
Now traditionally Argyle's colours have been Green and Black, then white joined in and more recently gold, yellow and orange have crept in. So in some ways we're going back to basics, however, where is the green? Argyle are just one of 2 English league clubs who play mainly in green, but you would not have thought that by looking at the leisure range. Adidas's new kits for us have been off the peg and so is their leisurewear, so whilst they can be applauded in some way of rejecting pink, luminous yellow, orange, brown, red, azure (though, we haven't seen the away kit yet!), this may just be taking things one step too far.
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Les Rosbifs
Blog, Les Rosbifs*, following the fortunes of English players when the go abroad have a very interesting interview with ex Argyle and Torquay player, Sam Malsom.
I recommend Les Rosbifs, to readers of TBAP who are interested in what English players who have moved abroad are doing, and shall add it to my recommended blogs.
*"Les Rosbifs" literally translated is French for "The Roast Beefs", a term used like "Jocks" and "Taffs" to mean the English.
I recommend Les Rosbifs, to readers of TBAP who are interested in what English players who have moved abroad are doing, and shall add it to my recommended blogs.
*"Les Rosbifs" literally translated is French for "The Roast Beefs", a term used like "Jocks" and "Taffs" to mean the English.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
Championship new-boys: Peterborough United
In my last post I had a look at Leicester City, who I think should be able to survive in the Championship without too much difficulty. The Posh represent a different kettle of fish all together and predicting where they’ll end up next season is much harder.
They played some neat football in League One last season and as long as they hold on to Darren Ferguson as boss that should continue next year. Irish owner Darragh MacAnthony is certainly willing to splash his considerable cash around. Since he has taken over at the London Road Stadium about £2million has been invested into the squad and they paid around the £500,000 mark for goalkeeper Joe Lewis and a similar fee for defender Gabriel Zakuani.
There is no doubt they need to spend a bit of money in the summer but I don’t think they need to make massive changes to their side. Peterborough will have looked at the way teams like Doncaster have come up and survived this season. It will be a big task for a club that size to compete in the Championship but they’ve got a good manager and owner so the set up is there to succeed.
They will be relegation candidates with the bookmakers, that’s a certainty, but I would argue they have a decent chance of survival. For the Posh keeping hold of Ferguson will be crucial and he is fast becoming one of the most sought after managers in the lower leagues, with QPR among the clubs said to be keen.
Personally I reckon Ferguson will stay and try and establish them in the Championship, but it seems a good Championship bet that he’ll need more funding from MacAnthony if he is to achieve that.
They played some neat football in League One last season and as long as they hold on to Darren Ferguson as boss that should continue next year. Irish owner Darragh MacAnthony is certainly willing to splash his considerable cash around. Since he has taken over at the London Road Stadium about £2million has been invested into the squad and they paid around the £500,000 mark for goalkeeper Joe Lewis and a similar fee for defender Gabriel Zakuani.
There is no doubt they need to spend a bit of money in the summer but I don’t think they need to make massive changes to their side. Peterborough will have looked at the way teams like Doncaster have come up and survived this season. It will be a big task for a club that size to compete in the Championship but they’ve got a good manager and owner so the set up is there to succeed.
They will be relegation candidates with the bookmakers, that’s a certainty, but I would argue they have a decent chance of survival. For the Posh keeping hold of Ferguson will be crucial and he is fast becoming one of the most sought after managers in the lower leagues, with QPR among the clubs said to be keen.
Personally I reckon Ferguson will stay and try and establish them in the Championship, but it seems a good Championship bet that he’ll need more funding from MacAnthony if he is to achieve that.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Comings and Goings
With Burnley winning 1-0 against Sheffield United, `w welcome the following clubs into the Championship:
Middlesbrough (relegated from PL)
Newcastle United (relegated from PL)
West Bromwich Albion (relegated from PL)
Leicester United (promoted from L1)
Peterborough United (promoted from L1)
Scunthorpe (promoted from L1 via play offs)
Whilst saying goodbye to:
Wolverhampton Wanderers (promoted to PL)
Birmingham City (promoted to PL)
Burnley (promoted to PL via play offs)
Norwich (relegated to L1)
Southampton (relegated to L1)
Charlton Athletic (relegated to L1)
The games against likes of Newcastle and Middlesbrough will get janners creaming their pants, else it's going to be yet another tough season.
Middlesbrough (relegated from PL)
Newcastle United (relegated from PL)
West Bromwich Albion (relegated from PL)
Leicester United (promoted from L1)
Peterborough United (promoted from L1)
Scunthorpe (promoted from L1 via play offs)
Whilst saying goodbye to:
Wolverhampton Wanderers (promoted to PL)
Birmingham City (promoted to PL)
Burnley (promoted to PL via play offs)
Norwich (relegated to L1)
Southampton (relegated to L1)
Charlton Athletic (relegated to L1)
The games against likes of Newcastle and Middlesbrough will get janners creaming their pants, else it's going to be yet another tough season.
Thursday, 21 May 2009
Good Luck Sturrock
The summer shenanigans have started at Home Park.
First off it appears that Gallagher will not be returning as he's now too expensive for Argyle, fan favourite, Timar has been told to shove off and fan non-favourite Summerfield is likely to be kept on.
No one really knows the workings of Sturrock's mind, Timar has been out of favour since his head injury and if he's never to figure again just as well he gets shot along with the changing room cleaners like Mpenza. It was never likely that Gallagher would be staying as money would always be the problem, and Summerfield ... well I don't think we'll go down that road apart from saying that he has a lot of potential. This all assuming someone wants Sturrock's rejects.
Well good luck Sturrock, you can't really do much worse than last year's transfers can you? Can you???!
First off it appears that Gallagher will not be returning as he's now too expensive for Argyle, fan favourite, Timar has been told to shove off and fan non-favourite Summerfield is likely to be kept on.
No one really knows the workings of Sturrock's mind, Timar has been out of favour since his head injury and if he's never to figure again just as well he gets shot along with the changing room cleaners like Mpenza. It was never likely that Gallagher would be staying as money would always be the problem, and Summerfield ... well I don't think we'll go down that road apart from saying that he has a lot of potential. This all assuming someone wants Sturrock's rejects.
Well good luck Sturrock, you can't really do much worse than last year's transfers can you? Can you???!
Thursday, 14 May 2009
We're all going on a Summer Holiday
Several short bits of news at the start of the summer hols:
Cash in the Attic
Mr Sturrock appears to be having trouble finding cash in the attic after sweeping up the dregs of the squad for the local car boot sale, whilst he's decided to keep just 3 apprentices, the fax machine appears to not work for his big boys.
Do people still fax these days or can someone give Luggy a computer/texting lesson please?
Go North!
This year's pre-season tour, rumoured as far back as January, will be in Luggy's native homeland, Scotland (surprise, surprise!). With a match in Skelmersdale on the way up.
I wonder if there will be tartan preseason kilts in the shop soon?
Testing, testing, 1, 2
What are your views on the PA system and pre-match/half time entertainment at Home Park? There will be a meeting on Wednesday 3 June at 18.30 in the Pyramid Suite for fans to discuss all aspects of the off pitch entertainment for next season.
They listened with the stewarding and Blocks 17/18, so this is very good.
Some good news, some worrying news and some no new news so far. Of course the big one we're waiting on is the Japanese take over which is tantalising being drip fed through the Herald as being near.
Cash in the Attic
Mr Sturrock appears to be having trouble finding cash in the attic after sweeping up the dregs of the squad for the local car boot sale, whilst he's decided to keep just 3 apprentices, the fax machine appears to not work for his big boys.
Do people still fax these days or can someone give Luggy a computer/texting lesson please?
Go North!
This year's pre-season tour, rumoured as far back as January, will be in Luggy's native homeland, Scotland (surprise, surprise!). With a match in Skelmersdale on the way up.
I wonder if there will be tartan preseason kilts in the shop soon?
Testing, testing, 1, 2
What are your views on the PA system and pre-match/half time entertainment at Home Park? There will be a meeting on Wednesday 3 June at 18.30 in the Pyramid Suite for fans to discuss all aspects of the off pitch entertainment for next season.
They listened with the stewarding and Blocks 17/18, so this is very good.
Some good news, some worrying news and some no new news so far. Of course the big one we're waiting on is the Japanese take over which is tantalising being drip fed through the Herald as being near.
Friday, 8 May 2009
Championship new-boys: Leicester City
It has been a little while since my last post on To be a Pilgrim and I thought I’d start my first post of the off-season with a little look at the teams who will be new to the Championship. First up then is Leicester City who after just one season in League One have made their way back into the Championship and won the league in some style.
I’m not expecting wholesale changes for the Foxes to be honest. They paid their squad Championship wages in League One in an effort to get them straight back up and it worked. They’ve got some decent players there already, Matt Fryatt in particular has been amazing this season and owner Milan Mandaric is keen to keep hold of the striker. I’m not convinced Fryatt will have the same impact in the Championship (well I’m sure he won’t) but he is still a quality goal-scorer and he should keep that up in a higher division.
Mandaric claims he wants to take them into the Premier League so they probably will delve into the transfer market a bit, though as I said I expect the spine of the team to remain essentially the same. I rate Nigel Pearson as a manager and whenever I’ve watched Leicester this season they’ve played some nice stuff, though his record in the Championship with Southampton wasn’t great even though he didn’t last very long there.
Personally I’m expecting Leicester to start the season well, as many promoted sides do, but I can’t see them challenging for promotion next season. I doubt they’ll be relegation candidates either though and a mid-table finish seems like a good Championship bet for their first season back in the league. I’ll be looking at Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough next time, who unlike Leicester will probably have to build their squad to cope with the Championship.
I’m a big fan of the new Argyle home kit as well, looks pretty good but I’m not so sure about the keeper’s jersey – though to be honest who buys the keeper’s strip anyway?
I’m not expecting wholesale changes for the Foxes to be honest. They paid their squad Championship wages in League One in an effort to get them straight back up and it worked. They’ve got some decent players there already, Matt Fryatt in particular has been amazing this season and owner Milan Mandaric is keen to keep hold of the striker. I’m not convinced Fryatt will have the same impact in the Championship (well I’m sure he won’t) but he is still a quality goal-scorer and he should keep that up in a higher division.
Mandaric claims he wants to take them into the Premier League so they probably will delve into the transfer market a bit, though as I said I expect the spine of the team to remain essentially the same. I rate Nigel Pearson as a manager and whenever I’ve watched Leicester this season they’ve played some nice stuff, though his record in the Championship with Southampton wasn’t great even though he didn’t last very long there.
Personally I’m expecting Leicester to start the season well, as many promoted sides do, but I can’t see them challenging for promotion next season. I doubt they’ll be relegation candidates either though and a mid-table finish seems like a good Championship bet for their first season back in the league. I’ll be looking at Darren Ferguson’s Peterborough next time, who unlike Leicester will probably have to build their squad to cope with the Championship.
I’m a big fan of the new Argyle home kit as well, looks pretty good but I’m not so sure about the keeper’s jersey – though to be honest who buys the keeper’s strip anyway?
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
End of Season Report
CONFIDENTIAL
Name:
Plymouth Argyle Football Club Ltd
Age:
123 years old
Year:
2008/09
Headteacher's comments:
Must try harder, needs more action less talk
Teacher's comments:
A poor start to the year in the test matches of August led to a continued below average performance through to September when the pupil was in the bottom three of the class. Plymouth showed some excellent work during September and November when he turned around his attitude and results to sore to near above average, however he was unable to sustain this success, slipping back to his usual slow ways. Another flurry was shown around New Year when Plymouth was chosen to work with the top set and showed good resilience in their playground, however this treat did little to boost his moral. Aside from a few very good performances, Plymouth worked below his potential for most of the year and only just avoided being kept back a year. Plymouth has also experienced a higher than usual number of injuries this year, seriously affecting his work rate.
There has been concern with Plymouth's out of school circumstances, in particular his parent's financial situation and parental supervision. Additionally, Plymouth had failed to make many permanent friends from other classes and could only manage friendships that lasted a few months at a time.
Recommended action:
Before next year, Plymouth needs to work hard on his key skills, including his enthusiasm, team work and confidence. He needs a positive attitude. It is hoped that there will be help with is financial situation, and also his ability to make friends. Extra training, possibly in Scotland, would be beneficial.
General comments:
Plymouth has shown a lot of concern over recent years but has managed to do just the right amount of work to get by, the increasing pressure may eventually prove too much. Needs close monitoring.
Name:
Plymouth Argyle Football Club Ltd
Age:
123 years old
Year:
2008/09
Headteacher's comments:
Must try harder, needs more action less talk
Teacher's comments:
A poor start to the year in the test matches of August led to a continued below average performance through to September when the pupil was in the bottom three of the class. Plymouth showed some excellent work during September and November when he turned around his attitude and results to sore to near above average, however he was unable to sustain this success, slipping back to his usual slow ways. Another flurry was shown around New Year when Plymouth was chosen to work with the top set and showed good resilience in their playground, however this treat did little to boost his moral. Aside from a few very good performances, Plymouth worked below his potential for most of the year and only just avoided being kept back a year. Plymouth has also experienced a higher than usual number of injuries this year, seriously affecting his work rate.
There has been concern with Plymouth's out of school circumstances, in particular his parent's financial situation and parental supervision. Additionally, Plymouth had failed to make many permanent friends from other classes and could only manage friendships that lasted a few months at a time.
Recommended action:
Before next year, Plymouth needs to work hard on his key skills, including his enthusiasm, team work and confidence. He needs a positive attitude. It is hoped that there will be help with is financial situation, and also his ability to make friends. Extra training, possibly in Scotland, would be beneficial.
General comments:
Plymouth has shown a lot of concern over recent years but has managed to do just the right amount of work to get by, the increasing pressure may eventually prove too much. Needs close monitoring.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
A Fitting End
Plymouth Argyle 1 - 2 Barnsley
Well doesn't that just sum up the whole season? A huge pile of shite.
A no pressure game that saw no pressure to succeed. We're safe, who cares? From play off to just scraping relegation in 21st position in a successful season for the Greens.
Nothing but pride to play for today, but even that wasn't worth our players getting out of bed today, most of whom will go back home tomorrow, leaving us with the rejects and Sturrock to continue to guide the new look ship Argyle onto the rocks. This was a perfect chance to prove all doubters wrong, and yet instead of go out with a fanfare, a mild passing of wind ensued instead. Lucky it didn't go down to an end of season nailbiter isn't it? To snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the 11th home defeat of the season.
Can you tell I can't actually be bothered to even get upset? I wonder why that is?
Well doesn't that just sum up the whole season? A huge pile of shite.
A no pressure game that saw no pressure to succeed. We're safe, who cares? From play off to just scraping relegation in 21st position in a successful season for the Greens.
Nothing but pride to play for today, but even that wasn't worth our players getting out of bed today, most of whom will go back home tomorrow, leaving us with the rejects and Sturrock to continue to guide the new look ship Argyle onto the rocks. This was a perfect chance to prove all doubters wrong, and yet instead of go out with a fanfare, a mild passing of wind ensued instead. Lucky it didn't go down to an end of season nailbiter isn't it? To snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in the 11th home defeat of the season.
Can you tell I can't actually be bothered to even get upset? I wonder why that is?
Saturday, 2 May 2009
Kit Unveiled
Argyle unveiled their new home kit for next season today following the new deal with Adidas as manufacturer. The predominantly green with the trademark 3 white stripes down each arm, is joined by 2 white sweeps across the right breast and side and a left white sleeve (this is not going to make Cosmo), whilst the goalkeeper's kit is pale blue. Both kits feature the new look club crest which is now backed by a circle containing the name of the club and a large sponsor's logo across the chest.
Adidas is under contract to provide a new home kit every season and a new away kit every other season (so reversing the current trend) for four seasons.
The new kit is available for pre-order and will be available to buy from outlets over the summer. The away kit has not yet been launched.
Friday, 1 May 2009
The Season's not even over yet...
...and the excuses for next season are already being wheeled out and hosed off.
I mean for crying out loud, when the managed states that we "won't be top three next season", backed by the chairman saying "I think next season will be just as hard", it hardly fills you with confidence or enthusiasm does it? Who else by little old parochial Argyle, the backward club of the Championship, would come out and say 'you think this was tough, then wait till next year, by the way, give us your money we have lots of season tickets/match tickets/merchandise for you to snap up'.
There's a big difference between being open and communicative and being utterly transparent to the point of cutting of your nose to spite your face. What would be wrong with 'we've had a bad season, we'll do our hardest next to not have a repeat'? Unless of course they're not going to try because the lack of money/bad gates/economy have been lined up to protect their backs? Whose fault is it that there is a lack of money and bad gates? If you publicly sell crap then you're in the shit, whereas if you sell crap but tell no one it's crap you'll get away with it (who was that guy who had a huge business but admitted his goods were crap and within a few weeks was bankrupt?).
I despair a lot of the times.
I mean for crying out loud, when the managed states that we "won't be top three next season", backed by the chairman saying "I think next season will be just as hard", it hardly fills you with confidence or enthusiasm does it? Who else by little old parochial Argyle, the backward club of the Championship, would come out and say 'you think this was tough, then wait till next year, by the way, give us your money we have lots of season tickets/match tickets/merchandise for you to snap up'.
There's a big difference between being open and communicative and being utterly transparent to the point of cutting of your nose to spite your face. What would be wrong with 'we've had a bad season, we'll do our hardest next to not have a repeat'? Unless of course they're not going to try because the lack of money/bad gates/economy have been lined up to protect their backs? Whose fault is it that there is a lack of money and bad gates? If you publicly sell crap then you're in the shit, whereas if you sell crap but tell no one it's crap you'll get away with it (who was that guy who had a huge business but admitted his goods were crap and within a few weeks was bankrupt?).
I despair a lot of the times.
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Sturrock to Stay?
Paul Sturrock has publicly that he has no intention of resigning from his job at Home Park. So unless the current (or maybe future board) say otherwise, he is here to stay for next season.
Sturrock states that he has lots of plans and that this must change over the summer, citing that when he started his second tenure the club was topsy-turvy and he has to put his plans for change on hold in other words he didn't have enough time to sort it out. How much frigging time do you want? Sturrock expects a huge clear out epic proportions to reduce the squad size and the record high wage bill, as well as bringing in some new players.
The announcement by Sturrock will put off a lot of people from renewing their season tickets for the coming season, though this is not an officical line from upstairs yet - he just has no intention of RESIGNING.
Sturrock states that he has lots of plans and that this must change over the summer, citing that when he started his second tenure the club was topsy-turvy and he has to put his plans for change on hold in other words he didn't have enough time to sort it out. How much frigging time do you want? Sturrock expects a huge clear out epic proportions to reduce the squad size and the record high wage bill, as well as bringing in some new players.
The announcement by Sturrock will put off a lot of people from renewing their season tickets for the coming season, though this is not an officical line from upstairs yet - he just has no intention of RESIGNING.
Monday, 27 April 2009
All's well that Ends well
Norwich 0 - 2 Reading
We can all breathe a sigh of relief that it is now out of our hands whether we stay up or not cos there was a big change Argyle would balls it up.
And so ends a very turbulent season of onwards and upwards. Oops, well that'll have to be scrapped now. A season of mistakes and more mistakes, some joy and a lot of grief. A lot should hopefully be happening in the club this summer, if not a lot of questions will need to asked.
But it ain't quite over yet.
So pressure off, who's going for a 4-0 win on Sunday?
We can all breathe a sigh of relief that it is now out of our hands whether we stay up or not cos there was a big change Argyle would balls it up.
And so ends a very turbulent season of onwards and upwards. Oops, well that'll have to be scrapped now. A season of mistakes and more mistakes, some joy and a lot of grief. A lot should hopefully be happening in the club this summer, if not a lot of questions will need to asked.
But it ain't quite over yet.
So pressure off, who's going for a 4-0 win on Sunday?
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Stop the Ride I want to get off
QPR 0 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
At least it wasn't a defeat and both me and the QPR friend can be happy, but talk about prolonging the agony. A win today would have eased the fears of relegation, but it's going to go down to Monday as Norwich play Reading.
The table is currently
Which means that Norwich have to both of their games to jump us. If they lose or draw on Monday we will be safe (a win of their last game would only take them to 49 points), but if they win it will go down to the last game of the season (49 points with a chance of another 3 = 52).
It would be nice to go into the last game knowing that nothing but pride is riding on it. A win today would have been even better as we would have been safe (if Barnsley won our match they would only have had 52 points to our 53), but the opportunities were not taken on a team who were no longer chasing promotion play offs.
There will be a lot of Green and White Royals supporters on Monday.
At least it wasn't a defeat and both me and the QPR friend can be happy, but talk about prolonging the agony. A win today would have eased the fears of relegation, but it's going to go down to Monday as Norwich play Reading.
The table is currently
| Team | P | Pts | Goals Diff | Goal Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolverhampton | 45 | 87 | 27 | 79 |
| Birmingham | 45 | 80 | 16 | 52 |
| Sheff Utd | 45 | 79 | 25 | 64 |
| Reading | 44 | 74 | 31 | 69 |
| Cardiff | 45 | 74 | 13 | 65 |
| Burnley | 45 | 73 | 8 | 68 |
| Preston | 45 | 71 | 11 | 64 |
| Swansea | 45 | 68 | 14 | 63 |
| Ipswich | 45 | 63 | 8 | 60 |
| Bristol City | 45 | 61 | 4 | 54 |
| QPR | 45 | 61 | -1 | 41 |
| Sheff Wed | 45 | 58 | -8 | 50 |
| Doncaster | 45 | 58 | -10 | 42 |
| Crystal Palace | 45 | 56 | -3 | 52 |
| Watford | 45 | 55 | -6 | 65 |
| Derby | 45 | 54 | -10 | 54 |
| Coventry | 45 | 54 | -10 | 46 |
| Blackpool | 45 | 53 | -12 | 46 |
| Plymouth | 45 | 51 | -12 | 43 |
| Nottm Forest | 45 | 50 | -17 | 47 |
| Barnsley | 45 | 49 | -14 | 43 |
| Norwich | 44 | 46 | -9 | 55 |
| Southampton | 45 | 45 | -21 | 45 |
| Charlton | 45 | 36 | -24 | 48 |
Which means that Norwich have to both of their games to jump us. If they lose or draw on Monday we will be safe (a win of their last game would only take them to 49 points), but if they win it will go down to the last game of the season (49 points with a chance of another 3 = 52).
It would be nice to go into the last game knowing that nothing but pride is riding on it. A win today would have been even better as we would have been safe (if Barnsley won our match they would only have had 52 points to our 53), but the opportunities were not taken on a team who were no longer chasing promotion play offs.
There will be a lot of Green and White Royals supporters on Monday.
Friday, 24 April 2009
Make Stripes Three
So further to my concern over Argyle playing naked next season, Argyle announced today that Adidas will be the shirt manufacturer for next season, confirming suspicions. The new kits will be revealed in a weeks' time at the Barnsley game and will be pre-orderable from then. This will explain why there was no fans' vote - because there was no choice! But a coup for Argyle to negotiate with yet another big company. It's come along way from SuperLeague.
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Championship predictions
As a fairly disappointing season comes to a close, Argyle sit four points above the drop zone with just two games left and you would have thought the Pilgrims are safe now. Stranger things have happened in football though and I wouldn’t go cracking open the Cava just yet. Come five o’clock on Saturday they could be though so maybe have a bottle on ice just in case. With all that in mind I’ve had a run through the weekend fixtures to offer my football predictions on how I think those around Argyle will do.
Southampton V Burnley
The Saints need to win both their games to stay up and it couldn’t really be much harder than a home tie against Burnley to start things off. I think the Saints will fall at the first hurdle to be honest as Burnley have looked a really good side all season. Prediction: 1-3
Barnsley V Wolves
Could be a good time to play Wolves with them already being promoted. The Tykes do occasionally pop a surprise result out of the bag and I can see them perhaps getting a draw here as I think that is all Wolves need to win the league as well. Prediction: 1-1
Blackpool V Forest
Blackpool are pretty much out of it but they could still go down if something really bizarre happens. Forest have improved, a bit anyway, lately and they should be fairly confident going into this tie. They need a win to secure Championship football next year and they might just get it at Bloomfield Road. Prediction: 0-2
Norwich V Reading (Monday)
Norwich looked pretty good against Ipswich but still came away with nothing. Reading might just have got over their recent slump with their 2-0 win against Derby and the Royals should be too strong for Norwich City – who look in real danger. Prediction: 0-3
Southampton V Burnley
The Saints need to win both their games to stay up and it couldn’t really be much harder than a home tie against Burnley to start things off. I think the Saints will fall at the first hurdle to be honest as Burnley have looked a really good side all season. Prediction: 1-3
Barnsley V Wolves
Could be a good time to play Wolves with them already being promoted. The Tykes do occasionally pop a surprise result out of the bag and I can see them perhaps getting a draw here as I think that is all Wolves need to win the league as well. Prediction: 1-1
Blackpool V Forest
Blackpool are pretty much out of it but they could still go down if something really bizarre happens. Forest have improved, a bit anyway, lately and they should be fairly confident going into this tie. They need a win to secure Championship football next year and they might just get it at Bloomfield Road. Prediction: 0-2
Norwich V Reading (Monday)
Norwich looked pretty good against Ipswich but still came away with nothing. Reading might just have got over their recent slump with their 2-0 win against Derby and the Royals should be too strong for Norwich City – who look in real danger. Prediction: 0-3
Monday, 20 April 2009
The Wrong Attitude
Sturrock has said that there is a wrong attitude at Home Park amongst the players resulting in last Saturdays hideous game. Now why is that and whose fault is it?
Sturrock has thrown down the blame and gauntlet to the players
"I feel that things have been done in the build up to this football game that have contributed to the result and performance.
What has be got to work with? The mainstay of players who do not work for the club, and fringe players who do who are disenfranchised. Players, in the large, no longer play for the shirt but for the money, but why should they want to play for the club when there is no motivation to do so especially if they still rake in the pounds when sat in the stands?
There is a lot of negativity at Home Park - every match build up reaction has included some negativity - the whole season started on a negative when we were told not to expect anything.
There is a malaise at Home Park that has rotted away for too long, there are drastic measures needed this summer in rebuilding yet another team. However, the excuse of 'time is needed to do so' is not relevant, after a year a team has not been built - how much longer is required?
Sturrock has thrown down the blame and gauntlet to the players
"I feel that things have been done in the build up to this football game that have contributed to the result and performance.
I am the first to put my hand up - not today.
I am not going to accuse my players of consciously going out and doing something like that. It is a subconscious thing. We have got to be strong-willed now.
Everything in the build up to this football game was identical, a mirror-image, to the three weeks that we have just had, and the last three results."
What has be got to work with? The mainstay of players who do not work for the club, and fringe players who do who are disenfranchised. Players, in the large, no longer play for the shirt but for the money, but why should they want to play for the club when there is no motivation to do so especially if they still rake in the pounds when sat in the stands?
There is a lot of negativity at Home Park - every match build up reaction has included some negativity - the whole season started on a negative when we were told not to expect anything.
There is a malaise at Home Park that has rotted away for too long, there are drastic measures needed this summer in rebuilding yet another team. However, the excuse of 'time is needed to do so' is not relevant, after a year a team has not been built - how much longer is required?
Playing Naked
I can only presume currently that next year Argyle players will be running out in the pitch naked. Aside from increasing the female attendance next year, there'd probably be an added excuse for Sturrock of aerodynamic lag slowing down the players (some very bad images coming to mind now - some of which involve a razor).
But anyway, at a time when most teams will be announcing their kit for next season, indeed QPR will be wearing theirs against us on Saturday, there has been no movement on the subject in Plymouth aside from announcing the continuing sponsor of Ginsters.
There are far more pressing issues at Home Park at the moment to be getting on with and with the alleged change of shirt manufacturer is probably slowing down the process. Though certainly we know that the away shirt will defintely change. But with just one league game to go, it would be nice to know whether to spend £30ish over the summer before the season ends.
But anyway, at a time when most teams will be announcing their kit for next season, indeed QPR will be wearing theirs against us on Saturday, there has been no movement on the subject in Plymouth aside from announcing the continuing sponsor of Ginsters.
There are far more pressing issues at Home Park at the moment to be getting on with and with the alleged change of shirt manufacturer is probably slowing down the process. Though certainly we know that the away shirt will defintely change. But with just one league game to go, it would be nice to know whether to spend £30ish over the summer before the season ends.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
What a Load of old Shite
Plymouth Argyle 0 - 3 Doncaster Rovers
A typical Argyle moment - 4-0 win, 1-1 draw and a 0-3 loss. Typical Argyle with no consistency or stability, a conceded goal with no chance of a come back and a catalogue of errors that would rival Argos. The first goal is the key and ...
THE NEXT TWO GAMES ARE VITAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well as the next two games are the only games left, it's going down to the wire and nothing can ve certain till 17.00ish on 3 May 2008.
Hope or dispair?
Tears of joy or hurt?
Time to start praying. However, so far it appears that God is not an Argyle fan.
A typical Argyle moment - 4-0 win, 1-1 draw and a 0-3 loss. Typical Argyle with no consistency or stability, a conceded goal with no chance of a come back and a catalogue of errors that would rival Argos. The first goal is the key and ...
THE NEXT TWO GAMES ARE VITAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well as the next two games are the only games left, it's going down to the wire and nothing can ve certain till 17.00ish on 3 May 2008.
Hope or dispair?
Tears of joy or hurt?
Time to start praying. However, so far it appears that God is not an Argyle fan.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Better the Devil you Know?
Well the time is nearly here. The wish of some Argyle fans as the Japanese are coming. Since the announcement last year that K&K had bought a share of the club there has been derision that nothing has happened. Couple that with the poor season results in "board out!" It could soon happen, as the Japanese are in town and are in "take over" discussions. Is this what we really want?
On the one hand, yes, it means hopefully more money to build a decent a team again and the chance of completing the stadium. If the current board has run its course then a new broom is needed at Home Park.
But at what price?
Earlier this week I spend Easter in the presence of a QPR fan who decries the situation at Loftus Road caused by a 'saviour board' who have been little but. Without repeating some of the problems he and his fellow Hoops have seen, but the potential for a new board to chance the face of Argyle as we know it should be a cause for concern.
So it is a crossroads moment for Argyle and its fans, four options: go for it and it works, go for it and it ends up shite, do nothing and it's fine, do nothing and we're buggered. I know which 2 I would prefer.
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.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Championship Predictions
Argyle have a beautiful four point cushion with three games left to go and after the weekend may have even guaranteed Championship football next season. After recent successes, the best being the 4-0 hammering of Coventry, I’m quite confident the Pilgrims will pick up all three
points against Doncaster at the weekend and these are my football predictions for how the rest of the relegation contenders will do…
Charlton Vs Blackpool
The Addicks have picked up (slightly) under Parkison but they’re already pretty much relegated, its all just a case of mathematics now. Blackpool have been pretty poor lately and I think Charlton should be able to pick up a rare win. Prediction: 2-0
Nottingham Forest Vs Coventry City
Plymouth’s hammering of Coventry pretty much demonstrated the sky-blues are already on holiday, or at least studying the brochures. Forest on the other hand are fighting for their lives and I think they’ll pick up a massive home win in this one. Prediction: 1-0
Reading Vs Barnsley
Reading need to win to keep their automatic promotion push alive and I reckon they should be able to see off Barnsley. The Tykes do occasionally pop a surprise result out of the bag but I think Reading will be just a bit too good for them. Prediction: 3-1
Sheffield Wednesday Vs Southampton
Argyle stay up and Southampton go down? It looks pretty likely at the moment doesn’t it! Wednesday are an inconsistent side and this is a hard one to call but I’m going to go with the home side, but it should be a close one. Prediction: 2-1
Ipswich Vs Norwich (Sunday)
This is a massive game for Norwich and not just because it’s a derby. The form-book should be thrown out of the window and sadly I fancy the Canaries in this tie, Ipswich have been pretty poor at home and I think Norwich could emerge with all three points. Prediction: 0-2
points against Doncaster at the weekend and these are my football predictions for how the rest of the relegation contenders will do…
Charlton Vs Blackpool
The Addicks have picked up (slightly) under Parkison but they’re already pretty much relegated, its all just a case of mathematics now. Blackpool have been pretty poor lately and I think Charlton should be able to pick up a rare win. Prediction: 2-0
Nottingham Forest Vs Coventry City
Plymouth’s hammering of Coventry pretty much demonstrated the sky-blues are already on holiday, or at least studying the brochures. Forest on the other hand are fighting for their lives and I think they’ll pick up a massive home win in this one. Prediction: 1-0
Reading Vs Barnsley
Reading need to win to keep their automatic promotion push alive and I reckon they should be able to see off Barnsley. The Tykes do occasionally pop a surprise result out of the bag but I think Reading will be just a bit too good for them. Prediction: 3-1
Sheffield Wednesday Vs Southampton
Argyle stay up and Southampton go down? It looks pretty likely at the moment doesn’t it! Wednesday are an inconsistent side and this is a hard one to call but I’m going to go with the home side, but it should be a close one. Prediction: 2-1
Ipswich Vs Norwich (Sunday)
This is a massive game for Norwich and not just because it’s a derby. The form-book should be thrown out of the window and sadly I fancy the Canaries in this tie, Ipswich have been pretty poor at home and I think Norwich could emerge with all three points. Prediction: 0-2
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
You got Your Troubles
Birmingam City 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
QPR 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday
Forgive me for I have sinned. I was away this weekend so accompanied my QPR mate to Loftus Road today and saw an amazing match with QPR winning 3-2 from being 0-2 down.
A lot of people are becoming dissident at Home Park with the current regime, but it is by no means a unique thing. Perhaps we should really count our blessings that the current board are Argyle fans who brought the club from the brink of oblivion. Where as our Hoops friends up the road are in turmoil with a management that doesn't give two hoots. They have had 4 managers this season because of fallings out all of which have been whitewashed, culimating ins Sousa leaving last week because (quote) he divilged sensitive information about the club and legal action will be forthcoming (unquote). At least Argyle is run by fans (but for how much longer)
Have you noticed the new QPR badge? I didn't but it's a subtle thing that had got the backs up of the fans for wiping away history. Now we have our battled with Semper Fidelis and a new look badge design possible on the horizon, but at least notice was taken last time they tampered with tradition. And Jess the Cat has been evicted from Loftus Road too. The Rs fans are being priced out of the game (do you know the prices for next Saturday?), though a 5% cut in ST prices and an extended deadline has now been announced but the prices are increasing at a fair rate. Again, sounds familiar (not the cut, the increase!).
QPR were tipped to be promoted this season where as Argyle were to be relegated. Playoffs for the Rs have virtually vanished whilst the trap door is still available for Argyle. Neither sets of fans are happy, neither club will really do anything about the big picture.
Incidentally 6 and 7 minutes of injury time, a penalty and a player dismissed, an injured Mackie and a Larrieu howler that looks a mediocre game on paper, now sounds quite a game. A valuable point?
QPR 3 - 2 Sheffield Wednesday
Forgive me for I have sinned. I was away this weekend so accompanied my QPR mate to Loftus Road today and saw an amazing match with QPR winning 3-2 from being 0-2 down.
A lot of people are becoming dissident at Home Park with the current regime, but it is by no means a unique thing. Perhaps we should really count our blessings that the current board are Argyle fans who brought the club from the brink of oblivion. Where as our Hoops friends up the road are in turmoil with a management that doesn't give two hoots. They have had 4 managers this season because of fallings out all of which have been whitewashed, culimating ins Sousa leaving last week because (quote) he divilged sensitive information about the club and legal action will be forthcoming (unquote). At least Argyle is run by fans (but for how much longer)
Have you noticed the new QPR badge? I didn't but it's a subtle thing that had got the backs up of the fans for wiping away history. Now we have our battled with Semper Fidelis and a new look badge design possible on the horizon, but at least notice was taken last time they tampered with tradition. And Jess the Cat has been evicted from Loftus Road too. The Rs fans are being priced out of the game (do you know the prices for next Saturday?), though a 5% cut in ST prices and an extended deadline has now been announced but the prices are increasing at a fair rate. Again, sounds familiar (not the cut, the increase!).
QPR were tipped to be promoted this season where as Argyle were to be relegated. Playoffs for the Rs have virtually vanished whilst the trap door is still available for Argyle. Neither sets of fans are happy, neither club will really do anything about the big picture.
Incidentally 6 and 7 minutes of injury time, a penalty and a player dismissed, an injured Mackie and a Larrieu howler that looks a mediocre game on paper, now sounds quite a game. A valuable point?
Saturday, 11 April 2009
May the Fourth goal be with Us
Plymouth Argyle 4 - 0 Coventry City
The last game I attended was verses Swansea and it was my last game of the season due to various other commitments and holidays and it seems I have been missing the thrills and spills. Today being one of the thrills thankfully.
This week I have had the pleasure (?) of being the guest of a QPR fan and we bothe "watched" our games on Sky Sports News. Thankfully ours was superior of once! I admit I was not excited about the first, the second and third were shocks not least because SSN were in the middle of announcing the second when the third went in, and the fourth made a hole in the ceiling. But, they were all in the first half. 45 minutes at least to go, and if Argyle were to play to form holding on to lead would prove hard. But as the game progressed the win looked secure and I was watching for two more names to appear on the ticker tape : IPSWICH and SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY. For today's win to have made any difference, both teams would have had to have gained a point. Unfortunately they didn't and so we remain 19th, however BARNSLEY proved a bit of a sweater too as a win by them would have narrowed the difference between 19th and 20th. So it was good to see WATFORD 1 roll up.
I have no idea how the team played, and as we're off to dinner tonight, it will have to wait till later to search through the match reports. Unless someone would care to comment on my behalf.
Incidentally, when was the last time we scored more than 3 goals in a game?
The last game I attended was verses Swansea and it was my last game of the season due to various other commitments and holidays and it seems I have been missing the thrills and spills. Today being one of the thrills thankfully.
This week I have had the pleasure (?) of being the guest of a QPR fan and we bothe "watched" our games on Sky Sports News. Thankfully ours was superior of once! I admit I was not excited about the first, the second and third were shocks not least because SSN were in the middle of announcing the second when the third went in, and the fourth made a hole in the ceiling. But, they were all in the first half. 45 minutes at least to go, and if Argyle were to play to form holding on to lead would prove hard. But as the game progressed the win looked secure and I was watching for two more names to appear on the ticker tape : IPSWICH and SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY. For today's win to have made any difference, both teams would have had to have gained a point. Unfortunately they didn't and so we remain 19th, however BARNSLEY proved a bit of a sweater too as a win by them would have narrowed the difference between 19th and 20th. So it was good to see WATFORD 1 roll up.
I have no idea how the team played, and as we're off to dinner tonight, it will have to wait till later to search through the match reports. Unless someone would care to comment on my behalf.
Incidentally, when was the last time we scored more than 3 goals in a game?
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Season Tickets part 1
It's season ticket renewal time, and once again it's a complicated process. So go grab a cup of tea, warm your brain up and concentrate:
There has been VERY LIMITED details of next year's season tickets announced. Currently the club has only released details of GREEN (ie FULL) SEASON TICKETS. There are no details for those who normally purchase a White or Pilgrim membership. Likewise there are no prices for after 1st May.
EARLY BIRD PRICES (until 1 May 2009)
Mayflower Enclosure:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £80
Under 23: £184
Adult: £275
Over 65: £184
Devonport, Lyndhurst & Grandstand:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £80
Under 23: £238
Adult: £399
Over 65: £265
Family Stand:
Family (1 adult and 1 child): £440
Family (2 adults and 2 children): £880
Disabled Persons' Stand:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £53
Under 23: £184
Adult: £265
Over 65: £208
Renewal packs will NOT be sent by post unless you ring the Box Office instead they will be distributed at the Burnley game (oops! you mean you didn't know? well tough, it's too late).
There has been VERY LIMITED details of next year's season tickets announced. Currently the club has only released details of GREEN (ie FULL) SEASON TICKETS. There are no details for those who normally purchase a White or Pilgrim membership. Likewise there are no prices for after 1st May.
EARLY BIRD PRICES (until 1 May 2009)
Mayflower Enclosure:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £80
Under 23: £184
Adult: £275
Over 65: £184
Devonport, Lyndhurst & Grandstand:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £80
Under 23: £238
Adult: £399
Over 65: £265
Family Stand:
Family (1 adult and 1 child): £440
Family (2 adults and 2 children): £880
Disabled Persons' Stand:
Under 10: FREE (when accompanied by an adult season ticket holder)
Under 18: £53
Under 23: £184
Adult: £265
Over 65: £208
Renewal packs will NOT be sent by post unless you ring the Box Office instead they will be distributed at the Burnley game (oops! you mean you didn't know? well tough, it's too late).
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