This was a very good question posed on a 'brief synopsis' thread recently that got lost in the discussion. Why did we go from being a perfectly fine league 1 side for most of the season, to worse than relegation form for the last two months?
My guess is a combination of the below (in no particular order):
1) High number young players who a) tired over the course of their first full season of league football and b) found it harder to keep morale up during a poor run than experienced players who've been through it before.
2) Condensed season particularly affecting Argyle, who do more travelling than any other club
3) Long-term decision to get Wootton and Canavan off the wage bill in January left us with no cover at centre back for subsequent injuries and loss of form
4) Subconsciously, having little to play for probably affected us in the final few games
5) Our attacking play is quite predictable, with Mayor drifting to the left and then trying to fashion a scoring chance in combination with the left wing back. I fear teams worked us out, to an extent.
The good news is that the first 4 of these 5 won't apply next season or are easily resolvable. Whether we can bring in players and work on systems that give us a few more offensive options feels like the big challenge of the close season.
My guess is a combination of the below (in no particular order):
1) High number young players who a) tired over the course of their first full season of league football and b) found it harder to keep morale up during a poor run than experienced players who've been through it before.
2) Condensed season particularly affecting Argyle, who do more travelling than any other club
3) Long-term decision to get Wootton and Canavan off the wage bill in January left us with no cover at centre back for subsequent injuries and loss of form
4) Subconsciously, having little to play for probably affected us in the final few games
5) Our attacking play is quite predictable, with Mayor drifting to the left and then trying to fashion a scoring chance in combination with the left wing back. I fear teams worked us out, to an extent.
The good news is that the first 4 of these 5 won't apply next season or are easily resolvable. Whether we can bring in players and work on systems that give us a few more offensive options feels like the big challenge of the close season.
