Charlton Athletic 2 (Racon 31, Bailey 68) - 0 Plymouth Argyle
So the women and children are safely in the lifeboats while the old ship Argyle is slowly being swallowed by the league table it's time for the shout of Every Man for Himself. The Greens are now without a win in 13 games and have amassed a grand total of 7 points out of 39 with the league position dropping like a stone to just 5 points of relegation zone.
Charlton should have been an easy 3 points - every said so - the team rooted to the bottom of the table on the brink of administration managed to pull off the unthinkable and win. 2 superb goals and a missed penalty which only thanks to the best player of the team, Larrieu and his feet, was saved. Now you could blame the referee for the 1st goal which came from an unclear decision between goal kick and corner kick - orange player thought goal, red thought corner, and so did the ref, which was cleanly punted home just before the break. Then Summerfield conspired to handle the ball off the start of the second half and conceed a penalty which was magnificently handled by the keeper. This reprieve did seem to spur on the flagging clueless Pilgrims into attempting some sort of a game of football but it was never to be. Sturrock's team has never come back from being 1-0 down since his return so the prospects were dire. And so it was 2-0.
Apparently there was a 45 minute 'clearing the air' session in the changing room after the match in which Sturrock and everyone had their say (Clearing the Air is tantamount to nuspeak for Slanging match is it now?) and the board has given their vote of confidence in Sturrock. He now has everything at his disposal to change things around. Except a transfer window. Now isn't 13 games a bit long to be waiting before things started getting heavy in the dressing room? It has already been suggested that the management has lost the dressing room after the episodes with Stack and Walton, is this true and if so can it be regained?
If anything it is a gamble if he does leave or gets pushed that anyone will come in to fill his place. Summerfield Snr would be the caretaker manager and he's worse than Sturrock according to some. But would anyone be willing to come all the way down here to tread where many have trod before just to plough up the same old same old? Probably not.
On a lighter note, Charlton now sell pies. After the berrating they got for the last 2 seasons of not selling them they now have Steak or Chicken Curry flavoured pies. They were awful though.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Thursday, 12 February 2009
PROFIT and loss
The accounts of Plymouth Argyle Football Club Ltd were released today for 2007/08 showing that the Greens made a profit of approximately £1.1 million, which is not really that much but is much better than the loss normally incurred. Though remember this was for year ending May 2008, after all the sell offs of players, concerts etc. Since then, there has been a drop in attenanced - once again stated plainly by the chairman as a key factor - and a few dud signings and high wages, plus the credit crunch. Meaning that that money has probably gone already and again we are "balancing the books".
Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?
So from the first tentative steps 2 summers ago with the big guns of Elton and George, through Meatloaf and Westlife to Rod Stewart. The extra non football income of Home Park: concert venue has become a success and for once the Board have to be congratulated for their enterprise 2 years ago when they decided to open the doors to Plymouth Pavilions. There is no other way at the moment that Home Park can be used outside of Tuesdays or Saturdays apart from hospitality in the form of parties, and the concert venue is an extra string to the bow. The huge amount of work required converting the pitch and Mayflower precludes any use outside of the season, and is one reason to be thankful for 'temporary' seating. Maybe if the Redevelopment of the South Sand is ever to go ahead and so are the concerts, provision should sensibly be made.
Roddy is coming to the Greens on July 2nd, and tickets, though pricey, are now available.
Rod Stewart ticket news
Roddy is coming to the Greens on July 2nd, and tickets, though pricey, are now available.
Rod Stewart ticket news
Saturday, 7 February 2009
Women and Children First
Plymouth Argyle 0 - 3 Derby County (Teale 43, Hulse 46, Hulse 52)
A green tint will say we've got 2 good points from 2 difficult games, a brown tint will say we've got 7 point in 13 games. Whatever you think the good ship Argyle is taking on water faster than anyone can bail it out - if anyone is bailing out in the first place. The air of gloom that descended on Home Park is worse than any early February snow blizzard and has attacked the very core of the once family club and spread like cancer. There is no doubt that 7 points in 13 games (7/39 points - less than 1 in 5) that Argyle should really be in the shit with Southampton, Charlton and Watford. It's only by good grace that has kept the ship buoyant. However if you compare last season's overall points with this then we are following a similar pattern, albeit on a lower level.
So where does the buck stop? Firstly with Sturrock and then with Stapelton et al. Sturrock cannot manage and motivate his players on the pitch, and the board have been running the club on the breadline for years. Though it could be argues that bread rather than beef steak has worked and thus the manager has the chance to make a sumptous bread and butter pudding or bread and water. Hollowat did the former, Sturrock did the latter though with a poorer squad of players and whose fault is that - his and the boards! Oh the circular pains of it all.
Anyway, so is it time to main the lifeboats while the band play Semper Fidelis (always faithful, remember!) stoicly and the pursers rearrange the deckchairs? True fans will stay loyal to the sink like the captain when he (supposedly is meant to) go down with it, though no one should blame those who decide to jump like the rats when they see no leadership from the leadership.
A green tint will say we've got 2 good points from 2 difficult games, a brown tint will say we've got 7 point in 13 games. Whatever you think the good ship Argyle is taking on water faster than anyone can bail it out - if anyone is bailing out in the first place. The air of gloom that descended on Home Park is worse than any early February snow blizzard and has attacked the very core of the once family club and spread like cancer. There is no doubt that 7 points in 13 games (7/39 points - less than 1 in 5) that Argyle should really be in the shit with Southampton, Charlton and Watford. It's only by good grace that has kept the ship buoyant. However if you compare last season's overall points with this then we are following a similar pattern, albeit on a lower level.
So where does the buck stop? Firstly with Sturrock and then with Stapelton et al. Sturrock cannot manage and motivate his players on the pitch, and the board have been running the club on the breadline for years. Though it could be argues that bread rather than beef steak has worked and thus the manager has the chance to make a sumptous bread and butter pudding or bread and water. Hollowat did the former, Sturrock did the latter though with a poorer squad of players and whose fault is that - his and the boards! Oh the circular pains of it all.
Anyway, so is it time to main the lifeboats while the band play Semper Fidelis (always faithful, remember!) stoicly and the pursers rearrange the deckchairs? True fans will stay loyal to the sink like the captain when he (supposedly is meant to) go down with it, though no one should blame those who decide to jump like the rats when they see no leadership from the leadership.
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Precious Pointage
Preston North End 1 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
Mid November was the last time an Argyle player found the net on the road, a drought of 2 months with no goals that was ended by Jamie Mackie on a bitterly cold Tuesday night when many other games had been postponed. The early goal was a bit of renewed hope for a win but the usual poor play saw an equaliser and resulted in Larrieu once again taking a hammering at his goal line. It was luck that Preson did not win.
So we have 2 points from 2 games, still 11 (or is it 12) games with no win, yet many people are pleased that we have at least held two traditionally bad teams for Argyle to play to draws when previously they've been losses. Yet in the whole picture 2 points is not that many, and its only the league that is holding the Greens in that 16th position, nothing of their own devising.
Mid November was the last time an Argyle player found the net on the road, a drought of 2 months with no goals that was ended by Jamie Mackie on a bitterly cold Tuesday night when many other games had been postponed. The early goal was a bit of renewed hope for a win but the usual poor play saw an equaliser and resulted in Larrieu once again taking a hammering at his goal line. It was luck that Preson did not win.
So we have 2 points from 2 games, still 11 (or is it 12) games with no win, yet many people are pleased that we have at least held two traditionally bad teams for Argyle to play to draws when previously they've been losses. Yet in the whole picture 2 points is not that many, and its only the league that is holding the Greens in that 16th position, nothing of their own devising.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Waste of Time
The January transfer window is an opportunity to buy and sell players.
What has happened at Argyle?
What has happened at Argyle?
Transfers In
David Gray On Loan From Manchester United Till End Of Season
Ashley Barnes Returns To The Club From Loan At Eastbourne
Alan Judge On Loan From Blackburn Rovers Till End Of SeasonDavid Gray On Loan From Manchester United Till End Of Season
Ashley Barnes Returns To The Club From Loan At Eastbourne
Transfers Out
Nicolas Marin Loan Ended by Mutral Consent Returns to FC LorientDan Smith Season Long Loan at Eastbourne Borough
Ashley Barnes Loan Extended by a month at Eastbourne Borough
Yala Bolasie On a Months loan at Barent
Jason Puncheon Season Long Loan at MK Dons
There have been a lot of LOAN transfers and shipping outs. The renewed Rub of the Greens fanzine (still only £1), [Facebook group] had a very interesting article on this window. In that Argyle rarely actually use it for its full purpose. This January has seen loanees sign and a few full timers shipped out. Well we get the selling right, just not the buying. Wall, head, bang?
Thanks to PV1.0 for stealing the table of transfers.
Ashley Barnes Loan Extended by a month at Eastbourne Borough
Yala Bolasie On a Months loan at Barent
Jason Puncheon Season Long Loan at MK Dons
There have been a lot of LOAN transfers and shipping outs. The renewed Rub of the Greens fanzine (still only £1), [Facebook group] had a very interesting article on this window. In that Argyle rarely actually use it for its full purpose. This January has seen loanees sign and a few full timers shipped out. Well we get the selling right, just not the buying. Wall, head, bang?
Thanks to PV1.0 for stealing the table of transfers.
We Didn't Lose!
Ipswich Town 0 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
We didn't lose! And what's more, we nearly won. Thanks to an offside goal it wasn't. Not that Ipswich didn't have many chances either, they were kept out of the game by a blinder played by Larrieu and both teams hit the woodwork. Sturrock changed the team some what, dropping much maligned Summerfield to the bench and starting Walton. Though the performance was not quality the work ethic was much improved. However it really was a case of make do and mend, which is not going to change, and when you see the same mistakes and the same tactics week after week no wonder fans are getting peed off. But if this marks the turn around then so be it, however the Preston match is in doubt because of the weather. So might be 2 games in hand, but just 4 points off the relegation zone. All it takes is the bottom three to go on a good run in the next few months and the shit will have hit the fans and made the pitch grass grow higher.
We didn't lose! And what's more, we nearly won. Thanks to an offside goal it wasn't. Not that Ipswich didn't have many chances either, they were kept out of the game by a blinder played by Larrieu and both teams hit the woodwork. Sturrock changed the team some what, dropping much maligned Summerfield to the bench and starting Walton. Though the performance was not quality the work ethic was much improved. However it really was a case of make do and mend, which is not going to change, and when you see the same mistakes and the same tactics week after week no wonder fans are getting peed off. But if this marks the turn around then so be it, however the Preston match is in doubt because of the weather. So might be 2 games in hand, but just 4 points off the relegation zone. All it takes is the bottom three to go on a good run in the next few months and the shit will have hit the fans and made the pitch grass grow higher.
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Hero to Zero
Plymouth Argyle 0 - 2 Bristol City (McIndoe 62, Fontaine 86)
Back when Sturrock was appointed I said that you should never go back, and that he risks damaging his heroic status at the club, and that's precisely what has happened.
Back in September when we were really in the relegation zone Luggy managed to pull off a wonder stroke that silenced his critics, however since that time things have been steadily going down hill with a catalogue of wrongs: his signings have proved poor - they're either permanently injured or were never picked or have 'attitude problems'; his tactics have become more and more negative and more and more absent; team moral seems to have gone through the floor and the displays of apathy by the players getting more frequent; his press interviews have become more negative ("I hope that player is not here by the end of the window"); his passion has gone.
Now we can blame this on his Parkinsons, that as his illness progresses he is becoming a weaker person, but why persevere if you're not up to it? Unfortunately the negativity has transferred to the fans who are not bothered any more, for many the 'sparkle' has gone. This in turn reflects in the lower gates and poor atmosphere and is used as an excuse by the board to cut spending and apportion blame.
Last night's rain played match was pathetic, though it may be something that City were held out for so long, but at 1-0 down did anyone really expect a come back or was 2,3,4-0 a more realistic possibility. It's certainly what I texted by new QPR fan friend in his mid-match ribbing. The team last night and whatever tactics there should have been were all wrong. But there's going to be no change, the transfer window slams closed in a few days and there is no sign of anything coming in whilst our flare players are clambering to squeeze out. It's a make do and mend situation.
Sturrock does have a pedigree, he's got 4 promotions and no relegations to his name, so he has the ability background to turn it around, many are convinced that we will survive but only because there are worse teams in these 10 bad games we have not moved from 15/16th in the table. But that is not good enough. There is no way Sturrock will be sacked by his bum chums so he has every opportunity to return from Zero to Hero.
Just be quick about it please. Or I'll join my mate at QPR. It sounds much more fun.
Back when Sturrock was appointed I said that you should never go back, and that he risks damaging his heroic status at the club, and that's precisely what has happened. Back in September when we were really in the relegation zone Luggy managed to pull off a wonder stroke that silenced his critics, however since that time things have been steadily going down hill with a catalogue of wrongs: his signings have proved poor - they're either permanently injured or were never picked or have 'attitude problems'; his tactics have become more and more negative and more and more absent; team moral seems to have gone through the floor and the displays of apathy by the players getting more frequent; his press interviews have become more negative ("I hope that player is not here by the end of the window"); his passion has gone.
Now we can blame this on his Parkinsons, that as his illness progresses he is becoming a weaker person, but why persevere if you're not up to it? Unfortunately the negativity has transferred to the fans who are not bothered any more, for many the 'sparkle' has gone. This in turn reflects in the lower gates and poor atmosphere and is used as an excuse by the board to cut spending and apportion blame.
Last night's rain played match was pathetic, though it may be something that City were held out for so long, but at 1-0 down did anyone really expect a come back or was 2,3,4-0 a more realistic possibility. It's certainly what I texted by new QPR fan friend in his mid-match ribbing. The team last night and whatever tactics there should have been were all wrong. But there's going to be no change, the transfer window slams closed in a few days and there is no sign of anything coming in whilst our flare players are clambering to squeeze out. It's a make do and mend situation.
Sturrock does have a pedigree, he's got 4 promotions and no relegations to his name, so he has the ability background to turn it around, many are convinced that we will survive but only because there are worse teams in these 10 bad games we have not moved from 15/16th in the table. But that is not good enough. There is no way Sturrock will be sacked by his bum chums so he has every opportunity to return from Zero to Hero.
Just be quick about it please. Or I'll join my mate at QPR. It sounds much more fun.
Monday, 26 January 2009
My musings on the bottom end of the Championship
It's been a little while since my last post on To be a Pilgrim and unfortunately things didn't go too well in the Forest game. I thought Forest might have a bit about them, Billy Davies is still a good manager in my eyes despite that spell at Derby (though to be fair, any manager would have found keeping that side in the Premier League).
Next up though come Bristol City. They're only a couple of points above Argyle in the league and a win would see the Pilgrims leap-frog them. Last season they had a great one obviously, but I always thought they were punching above their weight a bit I have to admit. They've got a few decent players like Nicky Maynard, Bradley Orr and Marvin Elliot but they haven't looked as good as they did last season and are a beatable side.
I know Argyle have been on a bad run of late, stretching back to that defeat against Blackpool. I don't think relegation talk is necessary just yet. Before the weekend I thought Blackpool were going to slip down into it because they lost so many players that had been there on loan but then they go and beat Birmingham 2-0! That ruined my betting picks anyway, probably ruined a few other peoples selections as well. In truth Birmingham were pretty poor in that game from what I've seen and did not look like a side pushing for promotion.
Another football betting tip for relegation candidates are Norwich City. They look pretty poor and just don't seem to pick up results. They might have battered Barnsley last time out but those kind of score-lines are few and far between for the Canaries and they will be lucky to stay in the league with the way they have been playing lately.
Charlton look gone, probably not much point even discussing them to be honest. When I have watched them play they look like they've been unlucky in some encounters but you can't blame luck all the time. I watched Forest beat them and Charlton were all over them before Forest scored but as soon as they did their heads dropped and it was all over.
Jeff Stelling presents countdown now, brilliant move from Channel 4 - not sure about his co-host though, she's no Carol. Anyway, the point I was going to make was Jeff introduced a contestant and said 'he likes football.... He also likes watching Southampton,' which leads me on to my next point. Southampton are prime candidates for the drop, they've got a young squad, no money and they've only won once in their last ten games - prime relegation material.
Doncaster have won their last three games and held Villa to a credible 0-0 draw in the FA Cup. I didn't see that one coming to be honest! Still, they might fight their way out of it now and as long as it's not at Plymouth's expense then good stuff I suppose, I always have liked to follow the underdog.
There are a couple of other teams I haven't mentioned yet, Watford, Barnsley, Derby and Forest. I think Derby and Forest will probably stay out of it now, along with Barnsley. As I said earlier I think Plymouth will stay out of it, this run won't go on forever. Watford don't look particularly good and could go down though. I'm going too leave it there anyway, I've waffled on enough already! Good luck to the Pilgrims at the weekend and let me know what you think about relegation candidates.
Next up though come Bristol City. They're only a couple of points above Argyle in the league and a win would see the Pilgrims leap-frog them. Last season they had a great one obviously, but I always thought they were punching above their weight a bit I have to admit. They've got a few decent players like Nicky Maynard, Bradley Orr and Marvin Elliot but they haven't looked as good as they did last season and are a beatable side.
I know Argyle have been on a bad run of late, stretching back to that defeat against Blackpool. I don't think relegation talk is necessary just yet. Before the weekend I thought Blackpool were going to slip down into it because they lost so many players that had been there on loan but then they go and beat Birmingham 2-0! That ruined my betting picks anyway, probably ruined a few other peoples selections as well. In truth Birmingham were pretty poor in that game from what I've seen and did not look like a side pushing for promotion.
Another football betting tip for relegation candidates are Norwich City. They look pretty poor and just don't seem to pick up results. They might have battered Barnsley last time out but those kind of score-lines are few and far between for the Canaries and they will be lucky to stay in the league with the way they have been playing lately.
Charlton look gone, probably not much point even discussing them to be honest. When I have watched them play they look like they've been unlucky in some encounters but you can't blame luck all the time. I watched Forest beat them and Charlton were all over them before Forest scored but as soon as they did their heads dropped and it was all over.
Jeff Stelling presents countdown now, brilliant move from Channel 4 - not sure about his co-host though, she's no Carol. Anyway, the point I was going to make was Jeff introduced a contestant and said 'he likes football.... He also likes watching Southampton,' which leads me on to my next point. Southampton are prime candidates for the drop, they've got a young squad, no money and they've only won once in their last ten games - prime relegation material.
Doncaster have won their last three games and held Villa to a credible 0-0 draw in the FA Cup. I didn't see that one coming to be honest! Still, they might fight their way out of it now and as long as it's not at Plymouth's expense then good stuff I suppose, I always have liked to follow the underdog.
There are a couple of other teams I haven't mentioned yet, Watford, Barnsley, Derby and Forest. I think Derby and Forest will probably stay out of it now, along with Barnsley. As I said earlier I think Plymouth will stay out of it, this run won't go on forever. Watford don't look particularly good and could go down though. I'm going too leave it there anyway, I've waffled on enough already! Good luck to the Pilgrims at the weekend and let me know what you think about relegation candidates.
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Thursday, 22 January 2009
FFS
Footballers.
What is it about them that turns them into complete idiots. Well we all know that the 'jocks' are not the academic ones at schools, which is probably why many of our countries footballers appear as thick as shit.
And you cannot get much thicker than Shane-White this week who decided to turn the clock back to last summer and emulate Luke McCormick when he was caught driving under the influence. To happen once in a club is a tragedy, twice is incomprehensible. McCormick was sentenced to imprisonment for his role in the death of two young children when his Landrover crashed into the car carrying them on the M6 last summer, killing the two boys and severely injuring their father. Do we never learn?
History has shown that the human race are perpetual failures and 'lessons will be learnt' are never fulfilled, yet for such a tragedy to happen on our door steps, and a colleague of McCormick to be in similar circumstances is beyond words. Argyle players have done nothing to give the club any good publicity in recent years - from Seip's Union Street brawl to Shane-White. This once 'family run club' has been tarnished by such ill discipline. And goes towards showing that footballers think they are above the common people. OK, you can argue that Shane-White is not a First XI player but are we (as a club) trying to produce our versions of Gerrard or Ronaldo or Barton? If they are the type of players we want our children to idolise then it's yet another reason to be out of the 'football la-la land' that the Beautiful Game has built around itself.
What is it about them that turns them into complete idiots. Well we all know that the 'jocks' are not the academic ones at schools, which is probably why many of our countries footballers appear as thick as shit.
And you cannot get much thicker than Shane-White this week who decided to turn the clock back to last summer and emulate Luke McCormick when he was caught driving under the influence. To happen once in a club is a tragedy, twice is incomprehensible. McCormick was sentenced to imprisonment for his role in the death of two young children when his Landrover crashed into the car carrying them on the M6 last summer, killing the two boys and severely injuring their father. Do we never learn?
History has shown that the human race are perpetual failures and 'lessons will be learnt' are never fulfilled, yet for such a tragedy to happen on our door steps, and a colleague of McCormick to be in similar circumstances is beyond words. Argyle players have done nothing to give the club any good publicity in recent years - from Seip's Union Street brawl to Shane-White. This once 'family run club' has been tarnished by such ill discipline. And goes towards showing that footballers think they are above the common people. OK, you can argue that Shane-White is not a First XI player but are we (as a club) trying to produce our versions of Gerrard or Ronaldo or Barton? If they are the type of players we want our children to idolise then it's yet another reason to be out of the 'football la-la land' that the Beautiful Game has built around itself.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Green or Brown
Nottingham Forest 2 (Earnshaw 24, Anderson 51) - 0 Plymouth Argyle
To follow Argyle you can be one of two people: a green tint or a brown turd. Apparently there's no in between (a clear crystal??). From today's game a brown turd will be complaining about Sturrock's tactics, the players inability, the board's lack of money and signings and worrying about relegation. A green tint will shrug it off as one of those football things and believe that this level is the best Argyle have ever been, that the board are keeping the club solvant and Sturrock won is 2 championships. I suppose I fall more into the shit.
After today Argyle have won 1 in 9 league games with 2 draws. So a total of 5 points out of a potential of 27. Well is that really good enough? Not really, it's statistically worse that the start of the season with 5 defeats and people were really starting to howl from the roof tops. Yet because we have some points in the bag, everything's ok. Well it's not. There are only 6 points to the drop zone. Well they're going to be filled by Southampton, Watford and Charlton so we're safe. Are we? Who knows what will happen in the next 3 months. You cannot rely on the misfortunes of others, which is what Argyle really have made their forte in the last few years. There's no movement on the transfer market, there's players sat round that Sturrock publically says he doesn't want, which doesn't do their saleability any good - who would by something the salesman says is shite and doesn't want? There's no money to buy anyone and Sturrock has no clue what to do with who is here at the moment.
But hey ho, everything's going to be fine. Even if we go down we'll be a big fish in a little pond and will be in the runing to come back up again. Will we?!?! Doesn't that logic seem slightly flawed? If we can't compete at this level now, why should we want to come back up again and go through the debacle all over again? The third tier of football has probably changed since we left and it might not be the easy ride some people expect.
To follow Argyle you can be one of two people: a green tint or a brown turd. Apparently there's no in between (a clear crystal??). From today's game a brown turd will be complaining about Sturrock's tactics, the players inability, the board's lack of money and signings and worrying about relegation. A green tint will shrug it off as one of those football things and believe that this level is the best Argyle have ever been, that the board are keeping the club solvant and Sturrock won is 2 championships. I suppose I fall more into the shit.
After today Argyle have won 1 in 9 league games with 2 draws. So a total of 5 points out of a potential of 27. Well is that really good enough? Not really, it's statistically worse that the start of the season with 5 defeats and people were really starting to howl from the roof tops. Yet because we have some points in the bag, everything's ok. Well it's not. There are only 6 points to the drop zone. Well they're going to be filled by Southampton, Watford and Charlton so we're safe. Are we? Who knows what will happen in the next 3 months. You cannot rely on the misfortunes of others, which is what Argyle really have made their forte in the last few years. There's no movement on the transfer market, there's players sat round that Sturrock publically says he doesn't want, which doesn't do their saleability any good - who would by something the salesman says is shite and doesn't want? There's no money to buy anyone and Sturrock has no clue what to do with who is here at the moment.
But hey ho, everything's going to be fine. Even if we go down we'll be a big fish in a little pond and will be in the runing to come back up again. Will we?!?! Doesn't that logic seem slightly flawed? If we can't compete at this level now, why should we want to come back up again and go through the debacle all over again? The third tier of football has probably changed since we left and it might not be the easy ride some people expect.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
Forest at the weekend and a few Championship picks!
This is my first post on 'To be a Pilgrim' and I'm delighted to be here. It would be foolish of me too start writing about Argyle too their die hard fans so I thought I'd concentrate on this weekend's opponents Nottingham Forest and see if I can offer any football betting tips along the way.
I watched the highlights of their game with Charlton last week and although they won 2-0 that score-line really did not reflect the game. Charlton wasted so many chances to open the scoring it was ridiculous. They had at least four decent opportunities to take the lead but somehow missed when it would have been easier to score! The only way to describe that game was a mugging. In terms of attacking threat they rely heavily on Rob Earnshaw and if the Plymouth defence can keep him out they should keep Forest out.
They are a strange animal to predict at the moment though Forest. They've just got a new manager in Billy Davies and even though he was sacked as Derby manager when they were at the foot of the Premiership I still rate him as a boss. No one could have done anything with that woeful Derby side, as Paul Jewell showed, and Davies surely has a point too prove. They also beat Man City in the FA cup, which should give them a boost but I still feel this Forest side is very beatable.
I don't think there is any point underestimating the importance of this tie. A win would put more distance between the Pilgrims and the bottom three. However, a loss would bring Forest to within three points of Argyle and I expect Forest to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season - so the further Argyle are from them the better!
I'm going to leave this game well alone in terms of my football betting tips this weekend, purely for the fact Forest are so unpredictable. My home picks from the Championship this weekend are Coventry and Crystal Palace and I'll go for Barnsley and Sheffield United away - not the bankers perhaps but should have some decent odds. I hope you all have a profitable weekend and the Pilgrims get a result.
I watched the highlights of their game with Charlton last week and although they won 2-0 that score-line really did not reflect the game. Charlton wasted so many chances to open the scoring it was ridiculous. They had at least four decent opportunities to take the lead but somehow missed when it would have been easier to score! The only way to describe that game was a mugging. In terms of attacking threat they rely heavily on Rob Earnshaw and if the Plymouth defence can keep him out they should keep Forest out.
They are a strange animal to predict at the moment though Forest. They've just got a new manager in Billy Davies and even though he was sacked as Derby manager when they were at the foot of the Premiership I still rate him as a boss. No one could have done anything with that woeful Derby side, as Paul Jewell showed, and Davies surely has a point too prove. They also beat Man City in the FA cup, which should give them a boost but I still feel this Forest side is very beatable.
I don't think there is any point underestimating the importance of this tie. A win would put more distance between the Pilgrims and the bottom three. However, a loss would bring Forest to within three points of Argyle and I expect Forest to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season - so the further Argyle are from them the better!
I'm going to leave this game well alone in terms of my football betting tips this weekend, purely for the fact Forest are so unpredictable. My home picks from the Championship this weekend are Coventry and Crystal Palace and I'll go for Barnsley and Sheffield United away - not the bankers perhaps but should have some decent odds. I hope you all have a profitable weekend and the Pilgrims get a result.
Fame at Last
I had the honour of being contacted by the owner of Manchester United's blog to give the Pilgrim's view on 'boy wonder' Craig Cathcart's stay at Argyle.
Using choice quotes from the members of Argyle Talk.
Craig Cathcart. A Pilgrim's View.
Using choice quotes from the members of Argyle Talk.
Craig Cathcart. A Pilgrim's View.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
You say Hello, I say Goodbye
Transfer window time again and it's half way through. So what has happened at the good ship Mayflower?
Well most obviously that Stack is no longer welcome at Home Park by the frank statement issued by Sturrock (Stack For Sale) in which he says he hopes that Graham will no longer be here by the end of the month. Stack started as first choice keeper before being dropped following the run of defeats that saw the Greens relegation fodder in September. And that's where he stayed. Unlike any other player who was dropped, Stack has never appeared again - even on the bench. What has gone so badly wrong? Some online forum members publicly brand him a 'Twat' following unsubstantiated rumours that he is a bad influence in the changing room.
Then there's Walton, the latest dudd "big signing" wheeled out in the summer to appease the fan's annoyance at there being no transfer movement for the biggest deal ever, and then nothing. Taribo West anyone? Unlike West Walton at least featured in some games culminating in his red card at Barnsley which saw him transfer listed for, effectively, insubordination.
And the Mpenza, another dudd flash signing who has features very little since his unveiling due to injury and then in the main just a 10 minutes here or there. This is a pivotal month says Sturrock in order to prove his worth (well, Paul pick him first) or it's the door. Again.
And not forgetting Marin who left by 'mutual agreement' to return to France who couldn't cope with Championship style football. Another waste of time, effort and money.
Sturrock says he's be very disappointed if no one came knocking for any players. Well we are a selling club after all and he does seem to have a lot of players he wants to get rid of.
And at the other end of the scale what have we got? Another loanee from Manchester United, Gray, who if hopefully is on the same scale as Cathcart can only be a good thing. Well he did get straight in the team for the Arsenal game, but then he did score an own goal.
The excuses however have come out as early as the 6th January that it's too cold to see any games. Instead Sturrock has resorted to the old fashioned telephone apparently. So will there be some panic buys in the next few weeks? Why are we so crap at this?
Well most obviously that Stack is no longer welcome at Home Park by the frank statement issued by Sturrock (Stack For Sale) in which he says he hopes that Graham will no longer be here by the end of the month. Stack started as first choice keeper before being dropped following the run of defeats that saw the Greens relegation fodder in September. And that's where he stayed. Unlike any other player who was dropped, Stack has never appeared again - even on the bench. What has gone so badly wrong? Some online forum members publicly brand him a 'Twat' following unsubstantiated rumours that he is a bad influence in the changing room.
Then there's Walton, the latest dudd "big signing" wheeled out in the summer to appease the fan's annoyance at there being no transfer movement for the biggest deal ever, and then nothing. Taribo West anyone? Unlike West Walton at least featured in some games culminating in his red card at Barnsley which saw him transfer listed for, effectively, insubordination.
And the Mpenza, another dudd flash signing who has features very little since his unveiling due to injury and then in the main just a 10 minutes here or there. This is a pivotal month says Sturrock in order to prove his worth (well, Paul pick him first) or it's the door. Again.
And not forgetting Marin who left by 'mutual agreement' to return to France who couldn't cope with Championship style football. Another waste of time, effort and money.
Sturrock says he's be very disappointed if no one came knocking for any players. Well we are a selling club after all and he does seem to have a lot of players he wants to get rid of.
And at the other end of the scale what have we got? Another loanee from Manchester United, Gray, who if hopefully is on the same scale as Cathcart can only be a good thing. Well he did get straight in the team for the Arsenal game, but then he did score an own goal.
The excuses however have come out as early as the 6th January that it's too cold to see any games. Instead Sturrock has resorted to the old fashioned telephone apparently. So will there be some panic buys in the next few weeks? Why are we so crap at this?
Saturday, 10 January 2009
Off!
Plymouth Argyle - Crystal Palace, Saturday 10 January, 15.00
Postponed due to frozen pitch
Due to the recent ongoing subzero temperatures the pitch at Home Park has frozen to significant depth for the referee to delare it unplayable at today's morning pitch inspection.
Postponed due to frozen pitch
Due to the recent ongoing subzero temperatures the pitch at Home Park has frozen to significant depth for the referee to delare it unplayable at today's morning pitch inspection.
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
Two Heads Better than One
Not a new operation to make Rory Fallon a better striker, but a change to To be a Pilgrim. This blog has been running for just over 2 years (really?) and at times I've not been able to devote as much time or interest in it as I would like and thus it can get a bit stale. However, I am pleased to welcome a new guest author onto the team in the form of Gareth Freeman, who is an Online Sports Writer for Betfair. Betfair's sports blogs (betting.betfair.com) have been described by Soccerlens.com (another big football blog) as "head and shoulders above the rest in terms of providing useful betting advice to their readers". Gareth will be posting his views on Argyle and the Championship a couple of times each month and I'm sure he will be giving us a good insight into what the country think of the Pilgrims.
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Arse
Arsenal 3 (van Persie 46, Gray 50 og, van Persie 84) - 1 Plymouth Argyle (Duguid 53) FAC3
Well it's over, no more than was expected but a great day out for Plucky Plymouth.
9,000 Green Army members made the mass exodus journey to The Emirates, the largest away crowd to grace the new stadium, proven by the lack of facilities - the Gunners had to open parts of the ground that had not been used before, and the lack of sufficient toilets caused a talking point and a bone of contention when many fans missed three goals due to queuing. As were the travel arrangements of coaches littering the surrounding streets and Tube stations closures, London were not prepared for 48 coaches, 1 official train, 1 extra express train provided by First Great Western plus numerous other regular service trains and countless other vehicles converging from across the country.
The Arsenal were expecting to totally run roughshod over the small club and were very annoyed to be drawing 0-0 going into the break due to the remarkable skills of keeper Larrieu. They soon turned that round by scoring 2 within minutes of restart, one being an own goal by new loanee and débutante, Gray. Whatever mistake he made, he immediately took the ball up the other end and allowed the skipper to start the Green come back. Much to the angry annoyance of the Gooners supporters. Things started to come apart for the Pilgrims in the second half as Arsenal went on to stick the knife in with a third, ending the game. But it was more than anyone expected.
Sturrock made 6 changes to the team that he fielded against Cardiff, including his newest player, Gray along with McNamee, Gallagher (who picked up an injury forcing his substitution) with Folly and MacLean warming the bench, and it worked fairly well.
But now the magic is over. Time to concentrate on the league. (Ha!)
Well it's over, no more than was expected but a great day out for Plucky Plymouth.
9,000 Green Army members made the mass exodus journey to The Emirates, the largest away crowd to grace the new stadium, proven by the lack of facilities - the Gunners had to open parts of the ground that had not been used before, and the lack of sufficient toilets caused a talking point and a bone of contention when many fans missed three goals due to queuing. As were the travel arrangements of coaches littering the surrounding streets and Tube stations closures, London were not prepared for 48 coaches, 1 official train, 1 extra express train provided by First Great Western plus numerous other regular service trains and countless other vehicles converging from across the country.
The Arsenal were expecting to totally run roughshod over the small club and were very annoyed to be drawing 0-0 going into the break due to the remarkable skills of keeper Larrieu. They soon turned that round by scoring 2 within minutes of restart, one being an own goal by new loanee and débutante, Gray. Whatever mistake he made, he immediately took the ball up the other end and allowed the skipper to start the Green come back. Much to the angry annoyance of the Gooners supporters. Things started to come apart for the Pilgrims in the second half as Arsenal went on to stick the knife in with a third, ending the game. But it was more than anyone expected.
Sturrock made 6 changes to the team that he fielded against Cardiff, including his newest player, Gray along with McNamee, Gallagher (who picked up an injury forcing his substitution) with Folly and MacLean warming the bench, and it worked fairly well.
But now the magic is over. Time to concentrate on the league. (Ha!)
Friday, 2 January 2009
All Aboard
Due to demand, First Great Western are supply an extra train tomorrow departing Plymouth at 7.30 and Paddington at 19.45. All seats are unreserved.
http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1506276,00.html
http://www.pafc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10364~1506276,00.html
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Babylon
Argyle are set to kick off the new year by signing another loanee youngster, David Gray from Manchester United. The 20 year old is due to complete formalities this week in order to stay till the end of the season. 'Greyhound', Gray's nickname due to his speed, has been mainly playing in a full back position has an attacking instinct and is available for selection at this Saturday's FA Cup match.In related new as we say hello to Gray, we say goodbye to Marin who has had his contract terminated by mutual consent having only played half an hour and made one start since August.
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