Willis88":14ezjqi1 said:
He's a week out of synch with the rest of us, but being worried we might have moved on from Luton has rattled him.
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Re:OGAT:Difficult Second Season? Six and out?
- Thread starter pafcprogs
- Start date
He's a week out of synch with the rest of us, but being worried we might have moved on from Luton has rattled him.
JannerinCardiff
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Willis88":1ye9ox44 said:
Ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh touchy or what!!! :wave: That nerve of yours will likely be twanging for a week. :funny:
Back from the brink of death....no not the trip through the allotments at The Old Spotted kennel, but the nasty stomach flu that is sweeping through Kent....expect a very low attendance at Old Trafford next game ....I apologise for the late arrival of this evenings missive. Ok I just wanted to see if anyone missed me.....a bit like GC10 this evening.
So ignoring the fact that the Orange ones (by habit :traditional) have not got planning permission for the new Kennels, and so are exactly as far ( or no closer as some might have phrased it ) to their new stadium than the Kohler Dome, we find ourselves in the worrying position that the taming of the Shrews will take place against a team deciding to wear their orange away kit for the home fixture. Let's hope the psychology of colours which has led Norwich to paint the away dressing room pink ( and sees them currently top of the Championship!) does not lead to a traumatised Green defence freezing once again when faced with a tangerine stream running out at Shrewsbury, although at least they don't need a coracle to fetch the ball anymore!
With Freddie also seemingly unable to take the step needed to make it a hat trick ball collection ( or maybe thats a Simon Hallett cost cutting exercise...no no Freddy. you want the hat trick ball, thats twenty quid mate) and with Drexit ebbing away faster than Theresa Mays cabinet after we battered the Cod Army ( well according to the highlights and stats we did), it's a midweek trip up to Salop and a chance to lay the orange ghost of the last away game.
The Shrews have also suffered a slump since last sessions failed promotion charge, and are in between managers after Paul Hurst left to drag Ipswich down to their level. No doubt relieved that the threat of Sol Campbell arriving has been removed by Macclesfield the Shrews are taking their time replacing Dave Askey, whose services were dispensed with after a third of his first season....now that's patience for you!
One person glad for a colour mix of orange, yellow plus red equalling no ban , is Jamie Ness who therefore leaves Derek with the dilemma of does he bring back (to some) the misfiring talisman Carey or stick with a winning team? Another orange smartie like reference is flame haired Ryan Taylor, who is keen to convince anyone who will listen that he can play alongside Freddy, as it seems like the joint third highest scorer in league 1 is first on the team sheet these days.
At least we can revert to traditional half time refreshments as Rainbow laces and LGBT awareness being over for another season means we do not have to accept that "Oranges are Not the Only half time Fruit".
With injuries recovering, and a draught from the gradually opening January Window giving a few players a nasty chill down their spine tonight will be a good night for a few players to demonstrate their desire to get another half season under their belt. The win here last season was a high watermark performance and confidence in the current Shrews squad is not great amongst the Blue and Amber ( and Orange...did I mention that?) faithful.
Joe Riley gets to revisit his former employers so lets hope the " immutable law of the ex substitute on for the last three minutes" is as strong as the more traditional version and he gets to net a ninety fourth minute winner.
COYG ( and iFollow bandwidth!)
....I apologise for the late arrival of this evenings missive. Ok I just wanted to see if anyone missed me.....a bit like GC10 this evening.So ignoring the fact that the Orange ones (by habit :traditional) have not got planning permission for the new Kennels, and so are exactly as far ( or no closer as some might have phrased it ) to their new stadium than the Kohler Dome, we find ourselves in the worrying position that the taming of the Shrews will take place against a team deciding to wear their orange away kit for the home fixture. Let's hope the psychology of colours which has led Norwich to paint the away dressing room pink ( and sees them currently top of the Championship!) does not lead to a traumatised Green defence freezing once again when faced with a tangerine stream running out at Shrewsbury, although at least they don't need a coracle to fetch the ball anymore!
With Freddie also seemingly unable to take the step needed to make it a hat trick ball collection ( or maybe thats a Simon Hallett cost cutting exercise...no no Freddy. you want the hat trick ball, thats twenty quid mate) and with Drexit ebbing away faster than Theresa Mays cabinet after we battered the Cod Army ( well according to the highlights and stats we did), it's a midweek trip up to Salop and a chance to lay the orange ghost of the last away game.
The Shrews have also suffered a slump since last sessions failed promotion charge, and are in between managers after Paul Hurst left to drag Ipswich down to their level. No doubt relieved that the threat of Sol Campbell arriving has been removed by Macclesfield the Shrews are taking their time replacing Dave Askey, whose services were dispensed with after a third of his first season....now that's patience for you!
One person glad for a colour mix of orange, yellow plus red equalling no ban , is Jamie Ness who therefore leaves Derek with the dilemma of does he bring back (to some) the misfiring talisman Carey or stick with a winning team? Another orange smartie like reference is flame haired Ryan Taylor, who is keen to convince anyone who will listen that he can play alongside Freddy, as it seems like the joint third highest scorer in league 1 is first on the team sheet these days.
At least we can revert to traditional half time refreshments as Rainbow laces and LGBT awareness being over for another season means we do not have to accept that "Oranges are Not the Only half time Fruit".
With injuries recovering, and a draught from the gradually opening January Window giving a few players a nasty chill down their spine tonight will be a good night for a few players to demonstrate their desire to get another half season under their belt. The win here last season was a high watermark performance and confidence in the current Shrews squad is not great amongst the Blue and Amber ( and Orange...did I mention that?) faithful.
Joe Riley gets to revisit his former employers so lets hope the " immutable law of the ex substitute on for the last three minutes" is as strong as the more traditional version and he gets to net a ninety fourth minute winner.
COYG ( and iFollow bandwidth!)
Up, down, up, down this season is a nightmare for Argyle fans seeking any kind of consistency.
No sooner do we have a decent home showing than we turn in a non performance with the same players looking like they have barely been introduced.
Still this week we turn to the glory of the greatest club cup competition on earth, and a chance to enter the hallowed ground of the third round draw where the notorious big boys lurk...oh yes the glamour of an away trek to Millmoor, The DW Stadium, Deepdale or even Griffin Park.....with out luck thats what. win over Oxford will produce.
Of course we may be lucky and generate some Klopp mania again, or a day out for the half and half scarfers at the Emirates....there might even be the sods law draw of Spurs and we do get to go the Wembley the in FA Cup....although knowing our luck it will be the first game at the newly opened White Hart Lane rebuild. Would Mourinho survive a defeat by the likes of Plymouth....it seems unlikely...606 would be in meltdown!
Of course to do any of that requires we manage to actually turn up and beat ( or at the very least draw and pretend we will do Ok in the replay) against Tarby's Terrors, the now in form Oxford, sporting the two ex greens who sank us so comprehensively at the Kassam in what , in a season with many challengers, still ranks as the direst performance in years by a team in Green.
So in essence the boys owe us this one....and with two up top somewhat comprehensively dissed and a reappearance less likely than a second referendum it looks like sharpshooter Freddy will be leading the line leaving our own ex Ox on the bench.
Historically we have honours even at home in the cup, but have only beaten the yellow peril once at home this century so stand by for a nervy ninety.
The main talking point team wise seems to be the Bermuda Triangle of the Argyle team and right back...people seem to want less of Moore, not much of the life of Riley. Since in previous years we also didn't seem to think much of Millers Crossing either and Mellor's gamekeeping skills were not greatly loved either maybe time for Derek to lay down the Law?
When all is said and done the passing of the legendary Argyle fan in a wheelchair Pitch invader Roger Abbott puts things into perspective and lets hope we can put in a performance he at least would have enjoyed.
COYG
No sooner do we have a decent home showing than we turn in a non performance with the same players looking like they have barely been introduced.
Still this week we turn to the glory of the greatest club cup competition on earth, and a chance to enter the hallowed ground of the third round draw where the notorious big boys lurk...oh yes the glamour of an away trek to Millmoor, The DW Stadium, Deepdale or even Griffin Park.....with out luck thats what. win over Oxford will produce.
Of course we may be lucky and generate some Klopp mania again, or a day out for the half and half scarfers at the Emirates....there might even be the sods law draw of Spurs and we do get to go the Wembley the in FA Cup....although knowing our luck it will be the first game at the newly opened White Hart Lane rebuild. Would Mourinho survive a defeat by the likes of Plymouth....it seems unlikely...606 would be in meltdown!
Of course to do any of that requires we manage to actually turn up and beat ( or at the very least draw and pretend we will do Ok in the replay) against Tarby's Terrors, the now in form Oxford, sporting the two ex greens who sank us so comprehensively at the Kassam in what , in a season with many challengers, still ranks as the direst performance in years by a team in Green.
So in essence the boys owe us this one....and with two up top somewhat comprehensively dissed and a reappearance less likely than a second referendum it looks like sharpshooter Freddy will be leading the line leaving our own ex Ox on the bench.
Historically we have honours even at home in the cup, but have only beaten the yellow peril once at home this century so stand by for a nervy ninety.
The main talking point team wise seems to be the Bermuda Triangle of the Argyle team and right back...people seem to want less of Moore, not much of the life of Riley. Since in previous years we also didn't seem to think much of Millers Crossing either and Mellor's gamekeeping skills were not greatly loved either maybe time for Derek to lay down the Law?
When all is said and done the passing of the legendary Argyle fan in a wheelchair Pitch invader Roger Abbott puts things into perspective and lets hope we can put in a performance he at least would have enjoyed.
COYG
Right, thats the last of the pesky cup competitions out of the way so we can finally properly work out which competitions GC10 is trying to get banned from and focus on Resurrection Shuffle 2 as we enter the final weeks of toil and strife before Christmas followed by the excitement of trying to persuade some decent defenders to winter in the South West paradise of Plymouth.
That we a re in for some new arrivals seems likely given we have started clearing out the dead wood of excess goalies in Burgoyne and Dead legs of injury beset Stuart O'Keefe who has hightailed it back to the big league. No sign of Lionel Ainsworth making a move although there a re rumours of him not playing as Derek fattens him up for the Players Christmas lunch.
In the mean time the small matter of battling for points against some of the teams around us takes precedence and delivers the Hogwarts Derby against Bradford City. In keeping with the new Sky /EFL rule that every match must be designated as a derby of some kind, so Jeff Stelling has something to mutter about in between Hartlepool score flashes, the meeting of Harry Potter double James Brents Argyle and the Hogwarts Claret and Amber scarfed Gryffindor City is now known as the Hogwarts Derby.
Bradford are travelling hoping to close the gap on the clubs above them and for once this includes Argyle ( along with the rest of the division). With the Argyle faithful still holding copious debates on how faithful they should be to out illustrious leader and his five year plan, and how our new Chairman should be shelling out a small fortune ( along with the quite large fortune he has shelled out for the club itself and a new Grandstand) City a re a great case in point.
Obviously too big for this division, like Argyle, amongst the favourites to be promoted last season ( unlike Argyle), they imploded and after a run of defeats they disposed of their manager. Now on their fifth incumbent of 2018 they a re rock bottom and new man David Hopkin was brought on board after success in the SPL. Hmmmm. Sound familiar?
So far, with a defence built on twin former Argyle rocks O'Connor and Mellor, well they haven't had the best of results. Indeed the best result they have had of late is they finally chased out their German owner, although they now have a different German owner, although they have beaten Oxford and punctured the Steve Evan balloon when they fought back from 2-0 down to force a replay in the cup, including a rocket from Mellor, who lets face it always had a goal in him, even if it wasn't always for the team he played for.
With Argyles recent home form (cup defeat apart) not too bad at three wins from five we actually enter the match as alight favourites which hopefully won't go to the players heads.
Even with David Hopkin, this months City manager, quoting our meteoric rise last season as reason for Bradford to be hopeful we can only hope that elusive winger Sean Scannells recovery is delayed while we try and salvage a complete full back from the working parts of the four we have on the books.
The other parts can then be fed raw to Yann Songo'o to help aid his recovery and bring him his hundredth appearance.
Bradford have yet to score at Home Park this century, and it should not be forgotten that as well as doing the double over them last season, the away League figure and a Jake Jervis tap in from the only Argyle assist of Lionel Ainsworths career was a big part in the upward surge from last season. that said when City win at Argyle they tend to win big, with a 4-1 and a 5-1 in living memory.
Perhaps best to dwell on the final game of the 77/8 season when having led in a a windswept pre Christmas game which was abandoned, City returned to Home Park already relegated and faced a rampant Argyle who romped home 6-0 despite facing two ex players in Peter Hardcastle and Don Hutchins.
COYG
That we a re in for some new arrivals seems likely given we have started clearing out the dead wood of excess goalies in Burgoyne and Dead legs of injury beset Stuart O'Keefe who has hightailed it back to the big league. No sign of Lionel Ainsworth making a move although there a re rumours of him not playing as Derek fattens him up for the Players Christmas lunch.
In the mean time the small matter of battling for points against some of the teams around us takes precedence and delivers the Hogwarts Derby against Bradford City. In keeping with the new Sky /EFL rule that every match must be designated as a derby of some kind, so Jeff Stelling has something to mutter about in between Hartlepool score flashes, the meeting of Harry Potter double James Brents Argyle and the Hogwarts Claret and Amber scarfed Gryffindor City is now known as the Hogwarts Derby.
Bradford are travelling hoping to close the gap on the clubs above them and for once this includes Argyle ( along with the rest of the division). With the Argyle faithful still holding copious debates on how faithful they should be to out illustrious leader and his five year plan, and how our new Chairman should be shelling out a small fortune ( along with the quite large fortune he has shelled out for the club itself and a new Grandstand) City a re a great case in point.
Obviously too big for this division, like Argyle, amongst the favourites to be promoted last season ( unlike Argyle), they imploded and after a run of defeats they disposed of their manager. Now on their fifth incumbent of 2018 they a re rock bottom and new man David Hopkin was brought on board after success in the SPL. Hmmmm. Sound familiar?
So far, with a defence built on twin former Argyle rocks O'Connor and Mellor, well they haven't had the best of results. Indeed the best result they have had of late is they finally chased out their German owner, although they now have a different German owner, although they have beaten Oxford and punctured the Steve Evan balloon when they fought back from 2-0 down to force a replay in the cup, including a rocket from Mellor, who lets face it always had a goal in him, even if it wasn't always for the team he played for.
With Argyles recent home form (cup defeat apart) not too bad at three wins from five we actually enter the match as alight favourites which hopefully won't go to the players heads.
Even with David Hopkin, this months City manager, quoting our meteoric rise last season as reason for Bradford to be hopeful we can only hope that elusive winger Sean Scannells recovery is delayed while we try and salvage a complete full back from the working parts of the four we have on the books.
The other parts can then be fed raw to Yann Songo'o to help aid his recovery and bring him his hundredth appearance.
Bradford have yet to score at Home Park this century, and it should not be forgotten that as well as doing the double over them last season, the away League figure and a Jake Jervis tap in from the only Argyle assist of Lionel Ainsworths career was a big part in the upward surge from last season. that said when City win at Argyle they tend to win big, with a 4-1 and a 5-1 in living memory.
Perhaps best to dwell on the final game of the 77/8 season when having led in a a windswept pre Christmas game which was abandoned, City returned to Home Park already relegated and faced a rampant Argyle who romped home 6-0 despite facing two ex players in Peter Hardcastle and Don Hutchins.
COYG
Firstly apologies for the late arrival of this pre Christmas missive, as for those happy few, we band of brothers, who like to read my inane musings real life got in the way at the back end of the week. Still the tree looks nice
So Derek leads his remaining stock of players two by two onto the Argyle Ark to head for the floodplains of Lancashire and a contest against one of two ex Argyle centre backs plying their trade as managers in League 1. Keith Hill who joined us from Blackburn as part of the Jock Morrison/Nicky Marker deal has plied his trade at Spotland, with a brief career break in Barnsley, for as long as many can remember and along with newly, if temporarily installed also ex Blackburn stalwart Graham Coughlan, is oft mentioned in despatches when the current travails of Argyle are concerned.
Indeed some would happily see Cocko and Hilly in tandem at Argyle, although to be fair they are getting a bit long in the tooth for centre half duties. That said the defensive frailties displayed in a a thrilling if painful home draw with Bradford last week begs the question of some no nonsense centre palfrey might not be what is required.
last season Dale showed what could be achieved with a final day victory versus Pompous to save their League 1 skins, which along with a trip to Wembley to play Spurs after a home draw amounted to a decent season for the club that lives very much in the shadow of larger Manchester neighbours. No not City or United, but Bury who are the rivals of choice.
Another club bidding farewell to it's chairman, when he retires at the end of the season, Chrid Dunphy has spent 30 years at the club , 12 as Chairman and even secured ownership of the local pub for the club...so a man who knows what his priorities are.
Rochdale, as home of the Co-op has a strong link to both the Labour and Liberal parties, although in recent years the revelations re larger than life Cyril Smith have tended to make that less of a proud moment. Aside from Weird MP's ( Simon Dancuk also being a recent incumbent) they also share their ground with the local egg chasers of Rochdale Hornets, so stories of millennial style floods made for grim reading when planning the long hike North.
A reasonably happy hunting ground for Argyle Spotland saw a promotion clinching victory for Paul Sturrocks team and Arguyle also like them at home, as in 1973, I was there with 7.065 other lucky souls to see one of the greatest league debuts in Argyle history. Yes Brian Johnson really tore it up that night. Only kidding....Alan Rogers was the main man. Apart from some lanky lad from not far from Rochdale who scored a couple and hit the post a few times as well...yes a 5-0 toiling of the Dale announced the arrival of one Paul Mariner, the Freddy Ladapo of the seventies.
So with Dereks Christmas card list having shortened substantially as he decides who he casts to the wilderness in order to bring in some new blood in the January window the ever shifting sands of central defence seem likely to be on the move again after a horror show at home last week.
No doubting the spirit that fought back three times to rescue a point , and with other clubs starting to press the ejector seat buttons around us, looking at you Gasheads, no doubt three points would be a welcome boost.
Dale hopefully won't have their Jesus fan flying in from Portugal as they did last season for the crucial fixture, but with a prolific Ian Henderson ploughing literally a furrow through the middle expect at least two goals to be needed for a win.
A cold wet day in amongst the dark satanic mills of Lancashire is not what most of us want for an early Christmas present, three points and a clean sheet would do nicely though.
Quick chorus of Jerusalem anyone? After all it does promise salvation for a Green and pleasant land.
COYG
So Derek leads his remaining stock of players two by two onto the Argyle Ark to head for the floodplains of Lancashire and a contest against one of two ex Argyle centre backs plying their trade as managers in League 1. Keith Hill who joined us from Blackburn as part of the Jock Morrison/Nicky Marker deal has plied his trade at Spotland, with a brief career break in Barnsley, for as long as many can remember and along with newly, if temporarily installed also ex Blackburn stalwart Graham Coughlan, is oft mentioned in despatches when the current travails of Argyle are concerned.
Indeed some would happily see Cocko and Hilly in tandem at Argyle, although to be fair they are getting a bit long in the tooth for centre half duties. That said the defensive frailties displayed in a a thrilling if painful home draw with Bradford last week begs the question of some no nonsense centre palfrey might not be what is required.
last season Dale showed what could be achieved with a final day victory versus Pompous to save their League 1 skins, which along with a trip to Wembley to play Spurs after a home draw amounted to a decent season for the club that lives very much in the shadow of larger Manchester neighbours. No not City or United, but Bury who are the rivals of choice.
Another club bidding farewell to it's chairman, when he retires at the end of the season, Chrid Dunphy has spent 30 years at the club , 12 as Chairman and even secured ownership of the local pub for the club...so a man who knows what his priorities are.
Rochdale, as home of the Co-op has a strong link to both the Labour and Liberal parties, although in recent years the revelations re larger than life Cyril Smith have tended to make that less of a proud moment. Aside from Weird MP's ( Simon Dancuk also being a recent incumbent) they also share their ground with the local egg chasers of Rochdale Hornets, so stories of millennial style floods made for grim reading when planning the long hike North.
A reasonably happy hunting ground for Argyle Spotland saw a promotion clinching victory for Paul Sturrocks team and Arguyle also like them at home, as in 1973, I was there with 7.065 other lucky souls to see one of the greatest league debuts in Argyle history. Yes Brian Johnson really tore it up that night. Only kidding....Alan Rogers was the main man. Apart from some lanky lad from not far from Rochdale who scored a couple and hit the post a few times as well...yes a 5-0 toiling of the Dale announced the arrival of one Paul Mariner, the Freddy Ladapo of the seventies.
So with Dereks Christmas card list having shortened substantially as he decides who he casts to the wilderness in order to bring in some new blood in the January window the ever shifting sands of central defence seem likely to be on the move again after a horror show at home last week.
No doubting the spirit that fought back three times to rescue a point , and with other clubs starting to press the ejector seat buttons around us, looking at you Gasheads, no doubt three points would be a welcome boost.
Dale hopefully won't have their Jesus fan flying in from Portugal as they did last season for the crucial fixture, but with a prolific Ian Henderson ploughing literally a furrow through the middle expect at least two goals to be needed for a win.
A cold wet day in amongst the dark satanic mills of Lancashire is not what most of us want for an early Christmas present, three points and a clean sheet would do nicely though.
Quick chorus of Jerusalem anyone? After all it does promise salvation for a Green and pleasant land.
COYG
So after the earliest of Christmas presents from Josh Lillis we return home from Scotland, if not spotless then a lot less potless than some of the nay sayers before the match.
With Derek defying the mathematical adds and creating yet another centre back combination, and against horrendous weather and proving conclusively having a broken coach is not necessarily a handicap we enter the festive season, well, festively, and with the crowd pleasing fixture that is Accrington Stanley, in the official Sky Sports Jeff Stelling Ad Derby, where two of the least commercially arrtractive clubs compete to see who can star in the most humiliating advert. the current score iOS Accrington Staley Who are they? Exactly 2 ( because they have remade the ad and so used it twice, Argyle Long Old Poke Innit 1.
Stanley join us having lost the battle of the two least in form clubs in the division 3-0 at Roots Hall. Interestingly earlier in the season in the fevered and rational debate about the future of one D Adams much was made of the strong skills of J Coleman esquire , working miracles on a shoestring budget. Now whilst that is all true, one can only imagine if the Lynch mob had got their way and replaced DA with said JC, they would now be baying for his blood after the unacceptable string of results of five wins and two draws...
Last seasons slightly shock L2 winners Stanley set of at a ferociously good pace but said recent run of shocking form has pulled them down to the depths of 14th. That we aspire to climb to such depths shows what a poor season we have had but recent form whilst hardly promotion chasing is certainly enough to make us fancy our chances.
Apart from Coleman, Stanleys Key men are Andy Holt, the chairman who likened the club to starving peasants living on Premier league handouts, and er, Billy Kee. the striker whose diet is in no way moderated by the manager continues to bang em in for Stanley. Holt was also in trouble when it transpired that he stood for a MacDonalds binge after a win which turned out to be in breach of League regulations.
The club who play at the Wham Stadium despite having no direct affiliation with George Michael ( comes from sponsors the What More Company) are also known as the club that wouldn't die, or perhaps more prosaically by fan David Lloyd from test match Special, the club that farts against thunder...must be all the burgers!
As befits a club whose financials are definitely lower reaches compared to others they use the loan market extensively with seven players in from Championship and Prem clubs as well as League One stalwarts McConville and Mingoia.
With Argyles injury crisis worsening with the return of Scott Wootton to full availability we can expect an unchanged defence, and hopefully a return for Ruben Lameiras who last week was either ill, playing hooky or about to sign for Barcelona on loan depending on who you chose to believe.
So the final match before the festivities begin. And as I wish all ( or both) of my readers a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and a Happy and prosperous new year I leave you with some festive questions before we all become consumed with the January sales ( and loans).
Will Freddy make it a 12 ( league ) goals of Christmas on Saturday
What odds will you get on a glowering Jose sitting in the Dem'port muttering "I am the Pasty one"
What odds on Argyle finishing the year outside of the relegation zone?
Can Taylor and Ladapo start the game alongside each other and if so will it be as central defenders
A very merry Christmas to you all. Even BG.
COYG
With Derek defying the mathematical adds and creating yet another centre back combination, and against horrendous weather and proving conclusively having a broken coach is not necessarily a handicap we enter the festive season, well, festively, and with the crowd pleasing fixture that is Accrington Stanley, in the official Sky Sports Jeff Stelling Ad Derby, where two of the least commercially arrtractive clubs compete to see who can star in the most humiliating advert. the current score iOS Accrington Staley Who are they? Exactly 2 ( because they have remade the ad and so used it twice, Argyle Long Old Poke Innit 1.
Stanley join us having lost the battle of the two least in form clubs in the division 3-0 at Roots Hall. Interestingly earlier in the season in the fevered and rational debate about the future of one D Adams much was made of the strong skills of J Coleman esquire , working miracles on a shoestring budget. Now whilst that is all true, one can only imagine if the Lynch mob had got their way and replaced DA with said JC, they would now be baying for his blood after the unacceptable string of results of five wins and two draws...
Last seasons slightly shock L2 winners Stanley set of at a ferociously good pace but said recent run of shocking form has pulled them down to the depths of 14th. That we aspire to climb to such depths shows what a poor season we have had but recent form whilst hardly promotion chasing is certainly enough to make us fancy our chances.
Apart from Coleman, Stanleys Key men are Andy Holt, the chairman who likened the club to starving peasants living on Premier league handouts, and er, Billy Kee. the striker whose diet is in no way moderated by the manager continues to bang em in for Stanley. Holt was also in trouble when it transpired that he stood for a MacDonalds binge after a win which turned out to be in breach of League regulations.
The club who play at the Wham Stadium despite having no direct affiliation with George Michael ( comes from sponsors the What More Company) are also known as the club that wouldn't die, or perhaps more prosaically by fan David Lloyd from test match Special, the club that farts against thunder...must be all the burgers!
As befits a club whose financials are definitely lower reaches compared to others they use the loan market extensively with seven players in from Championship and Prem clubs as well as League One stalwarts McConville and Mingoia.
With Argyles injury crisis worsening with the return of Scott Wootton to full availability we can expect an unchanged defence, and hopefully a return for Ruben Lameiras who last week was either ill, playing hooky or about to sign for Barcelona on loan depending on who you chose to believe.
So the final match before the festivities begin. And as I wish all ( or both) of my readers a wonderful and peaceful Christmas and a Happy and prosperous new year I leave you with some festive questions before we all become consumed with the January sales ( and loans).
Will Freddy make it a 12 ( league ) goals of Christmas on Saturday
What odds will you get on a glowering Jose sitting in the Dem'port muttering "I am the Pasty one"
What odds on Argyle finishing the year outside of the relegation zone?
Can Taylor and Ladapo start the game alongside each other and if so will it be as central defenders
A very merry Christmas to you all. Even BG.
COYG
So as Derek regards th torn and strewn wrapping paper around the Christmas tree and shakes another box before Skyping Simon Hallett and growling "I told you I wanted another three centre backs, not a voucher for Centre Parks" we enter the second half of the season on the back of a dreadful home defeat....and we have had a few of those, and a sense of foreboding that things actually need to start to turn around soon as the bottom five begin to drift away like a lifeboat from a stricken oil tanker.
Luckily, if such a word can be used to describe our current plight we visit one of the few teams in the decision that we have a) already beaten, b) have a 100% record in the league on their ground since Derek took over and c) who may have had their dead cat bounce by appointing the new manager a few weeks ago before plummeting past us to be the only team we can safely say are worse than us so far this season.
Indeed they are our second favourite away ground , and presumably as Wombles will be knackered after a long day clearing up the detritus of Christmas away before assembling to take is on at the Cherry red Records ground....I too have fond memories of this ground...have done two programme fairs there and always made some cash, plus last time I donated a box of old Wimbledon programmes to their club shop. Paying to forward the Americans call it. Playing to forward is what Argyle fans will hope for.
With Nessie at the bottom of his loch for this one, attention will be focussed on the choice between Freddy and goals or Taylor and territory, plus the make up of the midfield...does playing Ruben work in a midfield battle at the bottom of the table, or does his propensity to play the long odds option give too much away.
Another player who has thrived at the Cherry Red is Greg Wylde, who scored a belter on his debut and who came off the bench against the Stanley, so is still, however peripherally, in the mind of the boss, as the good burghers of SW London start to tape their windows.
Having decided Neal was Ardley doing the business the Wombles elected for change and went for the Crazy option. Who, in a sport full of omens and superstitions, elects to appoint a manager for a relegation fight who is both a Wally and who comes with the name Downes. Right thats them nailed on .....maybe we should sell them Sam Jones in the window?
Speaking of Windows , the Carey rumour mill is in full flow as ever so perhaps the magical left foot will be in attendance as he seeks to up his appeal to those mythical Championship clubs who have been tracking him for two and a half seasons and counting.
So as the faithful assemble to turn the Cherry Red a cheery Green, we hope that the clash of the Purringtons goes the way of our Tom, and agent Jervis completes his mission.
COYG
Luckily, if such a word can be used to describe our current plight we visit one of the few teams in the decision that we have a) already beaten, b) have a 100% record in the league on their ground since Derek took over and c) who may have had their dead cat bounce by appointing the new manager a few weeks ago before plummeting past us to be the only team we can safely say are worse than us so far this season.
Indeed they are our second favourite away ground , and presumably as Wombles will be knackered after a long day clearing up the detritus of Christmas away before assembling to take is on at the Cherry red Records ground....I too have fond memories of this ground...have done two programme fairs there and always made some cash, plus last time I donated a box of old Wimbledon programmes to their club shop. Paying to forward the Americans call it. Playing to forward is what Argyle fans will hope for.
With Nessie at the bottom of his loch for this one, attention will be focussed on the choice between Freddy and goals or Taylor and territory, plus the make up of the midfield...does playing Ruben work in a midfield battle at the bottom of the table, or does his propensity to play the long odds option give too much away.
Another player who has thrived at the Cherry Red is Greg Wylde, who scored a belter on his debut and who came off the bench against the Stanley, so is still, however peripherally, in the mind of the boss, as the good burghers of SW London start to tape their windows.
Having decided Neal was Ardley doing the business the Wombles elected for change and went for the Crazy option. Who, in a sport full of omens and superstitions, elects to appoint a manager for a relegation fight who is both a Wally and who comes with the name Downes. Right thats them nailed on .....maybe we should sell them Sam Jones in the window?
Speaking of Windows , the Carey rumour mill is in full flow as ever so perhaps the magical left foot will be in attendance as he seeks to up his appeal to those mythical Championship clubs who have been tracking him for two and a half seasons and counting.
So as the faithful assemble to turn the Cherry Red a cheery Green, we hope that the clash of the Purringtons goes the way of our Tom, and agent Jervis completes his mission.
COYG
So lets be honest who would look back on 2018 with any degree of fondness.....the anti-climax as the most unlikely promotion push in history ran out of steam and players, followed by the euphoria of a World Cup that lated beyond the group stage ( unless you were Scottish...sorry Derek) and a close season which saw an influx of players ....
And then it began.....and for thirty minutes or so it seemed OK.....then we started what would become a trend...penalties, red cards, and ever revolving central defensive combination ( to call any of them a pairing implies a permanence that none have so far earned) and a disturbing preponderance for inexplicable errors or skill and judgement.
Oh so occasionally we show flashes of what we have had before....some fight and spirit ....even the odd win....but by and large the season so far is best consigned to the history books. And yet attendances have not plummeted, with whatever mooted boycotts from the vociferous online minority appearing to be confined to...well them....
Drexit has replaced Brexit as the place to be for arguments of the agree with me or your opinion doesn't count....and in which a long list of managers are proposed who have failed elsewhere but who will, apparently, be the undoubted best choice to restore a glory that if it ever existed has been absent since well before the current incumbent arrived. Hurst, Holloway, Johnson, Mccarthy, even god help us Roy Keane...
And so we continue.....to Burton, home of the Brewers and there will be many who have turned to drink to get through the current malaise...a team we have only beaten once but then we only started playing them this decade! A team that managed to score three unopposed headers in their trip to Home Park....
Having suffered again at the hands , or rather feet, of ineptitude to hit rock bottom on Boxing Day, ironically an error from one of the ore consistent and honest players in the team....and with the window of new blood inching ever slowly more open as January approaches a last time in 2018 to impress if not the Green Army then the management who decide your contract or the surely dwindling number of scouts seeking to reinforce their squad in the next month.
With Carey fever at an all time low, and Mark Carney frantically adjusting his economic forecasts at the possibility of a. seven figure fee for Freddy being on the table, ( and if it is it won't be on it for long as Simon Hallett snatches it and the arm of whoever offers it) we scan the horizon for that elusive commanding injury free centre half, the hard tackling overlapping right back who bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Gordon Nisbet, and the skilful yet defensively sound Prem hopeful midfielder who sees HP as the next stop on his way to a surprise call up for Qatar 2022.
Meanwhile a forlorn queue of the close season hopefuls of windows past stand balefully by the Christmas tree making hopeful eyes at the potential loaners arrive from Conference South and beyond, a kind of footballing Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Park.
So we hope for three points and the beginning of what hopefully will not be a false dawn of previous victories....it is Christmas still...season of films like the Great Escape, and Escape to Victory where even Ex Green Russell Osman finished on the winning side. Yes, The Dirty Dozen emerged triumphant ( well the three that lived), no doubt inspired by the playing of Semper Fi halfway through the film....
And if the movies at Christmas showed us anything then that great American philosopher, whose name begins with K, and who sums up what it is to be an Argyle fan reminds us. No, not Jack Kerouac and "On the Road".
Kermit. It's not easy being green! Still as I thought the other day...if the Waiters 74/5 Promotion team of Mariner and Rafferty, Green Saxton and Furnell et al played the current team they would probably only win by the odd goal.
Then again most of them are in their sixties now.
Happy New Year....and open that window!
And then it began.....and for thirty minutes or so it seemed OK.....then we started what would become a trend...penalties, red cards, and ever revolving central defensive combination ( to call any of them a pairing implies a permanence that none have so far earned) and a disturbing preponderance for inexplicable errors or skill and judgement.
Oh so occasionally we show flashes of what we have had before....some fight and spirit ....even the odd win....but by and large the season so far is best consigned to the history books. And yet attendances have not plummeted, with whatever mooted boycotts from the vociferous online minority appearing to be confined to...well them....
Drexit has replaced Brexit as the place to be for arguments of the agree with me or your opinion doesn't count....and in which a long list of managers are proposed who have failed elsewhere but who will, apparently, be the undoubted best choice to restore a glory that if it ever existed has been absent since well before the current incumbent arrived. Hurst, Holloway, Johnson, Mccarthy, even god help us Roy Keane...
And so we continue.....to Burton, home of the Brewers and there will be many who have turned to drink to get through the current malaise...a team we have only beaten once but then we only started playing them this decade! A team that managed to score three unopposed headers in their trip to Home Park....
Having suffered again at the hands , or rather feet, of ineptitude to hit rock bottom on Boxing Day, ironically an error from one of the ore consistent and honest players in the team....and with the window of new blood inching ever slowly more open as January approaches a last time in 2018 to impress if not the Green Army then the management who decide your contract or the surely dwindling number of scouts seeking to reinforce their squad in the next month.
With Carey fever at an all time low, and Mark Carney frantically adjusting his economic forecasts at the possibility of a. seven figure fee for Freddy being on the table, ( and if it is it won't be on it for long as Simon Hallett snatches it and the arm of whoever offers it) we scan the horizon for that elusive commanding injury free centre half, the hard tackling overlapping right back who bears an uncanny resemblance to a young Gordon Nisbet, and the skilful yet defensively sound Prem hopeful midfielder who sees HP as the next stop on his way to a surprise call up for Qatar 2022.
Meanwhile a forlorn queue of the close season hopefuls of windows past stand balefully by the Christmas tree making hopeful eyes at the potential loaners arrive from Conference South and beyond, a kind of footballing Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Park.
So we hope for three points and the beginning of what hopefully will not be a false dawn of previous victories....it is Christmas still...season of films like the Great Escape, and Escape to Victory where even Ex Green Russell Osman finished on the winning side. Yes, The Dirty Dozen emerged triumphant ( well the three that lived), no doubt inspired by the playing of Semper Fi halfway through the film....
And if the movies at Christmas showed us anything then that great American philosopher, whose name begins with K, and who sums up what it is to be an Argyle fan reminds us. No, not Jack Kerouac and "On the Road".
Kermit. It's not easy being green! Still as I thought the other day...if the Waiters 74/5 Promotion team of Mariner and Rafferty, Green Saxton and Furnell et al played the current team they would probably only win by the odd goal.
Then again most of them are in their sixties now.
Happy New Year....and open that window!
So the year ends with the seasons shortest press conference after the Greens grabbed a point that most of us would have taken before kick off and all of us would have taken after five minutes when our defence once again decided to reenact the parting of the Red Sea and once again such a Christmas gift was once again accepted.
But the second half was better, with Ruben playing messiah instead of "very naughty boy" and another goalie gaffe gave us the draw , which could on another day have been three points.
And then pizza gate, admittedly not of the lobbing at Sir Alex level, but apparently Derek wanted a few slices before the team scoffed the lot and so the journalists got a scant half minute of his time....which of course sent the naysayers into overdrive for the scant words, despite previously decrying longer statements for being a load of guff. personally I see DA as taking the Nelson position.....he sees what he wants to see to take the pressure of the players and onto himself. Well it seems to be working judging by Simon Hallets Twitter feed.
Which brings us to our best of three dead rubber with the Oxon, who ended our slim hopes of a cup run , and brutally despatched us at their ground with not one but two ex players making the most of the multitude of chances we offered up. Of the two Nelson is now running down his contract having declined a new one, and may well be on the way out of the Kassam, perhaps hoping to play at a ground with four sides again....Apparently he will only go for a substantial sum.....now where have we heard that before....Also do we have a sell on clause?
Oxford arrive having yet to record a league victory away from home...so that bodes badly, but also with a few injuries and on the back of a pretty dreadful home defeat by previously toothless Brizzle Rovers, now marching upwards under Graham Coughlan ( who he?).
Of course the window will be creaking open as they arrive....Oxford have already signed a Wolves winger, Jordan Graham, on loan, but who is apparently not eligible....the poor lad has now been released three times by Paul Lambert who seem to arrive at whatever club he signs for...which could mean Tarby Robinson is making a rod for his own back by signing him! The other imminent non playing arrival appears to be Mark Sykes from Glenavon. The Yellows are concerned that they are very much in a relegation fight, but remain confident of a treble based on what we have shown them so far.
To date no concrete rumours on who is coming or going through the portals at HP.....although the lesser spotted Ainsworth is in his native Scotland ....Livingstone we presume ( ok we were told). Carey to Luton, Brizzle City, Barcelona ( delete as inapplicable). That we might sign a right back ( technically another right back) seems a given.....as to who else....rumours of Mo Eisa on loan quicken the pulse, surely a good short term investment, although apparently there is lots of interest....if Pompous sign Stockley will Pittman be discarded, or would that leave them shorthanded?
But all eyes at three turn to Home Park and the chance to start 2019 as we started 2018...with a scrappy 1-0 home win
Happy New Year one and all
COYG
But the second half was better, with Ruben playing messiah instead of "very naughty boy" and another goalie gaffe gave us the draw , which could on another day have been three points.
And then pizza gate, admittedly not of the lobbing at Sir Alex level, but apparently Derek wanted a few slices before the team scoffed the lot and so the journalists got a scant half minute of his time....which of course sent the naysayers into overdrive for the scant words, despite previously decrying longer statements for being a load of guff. personally I see DA as taking the Nelson position.....he sees what he wants to see to take the pressure of the players and onto himself. Well it seems to be working judging by Simon Hallets Twitter feed.
Which brings us to our best of three dead rubber with the Oxon, who ended our slim hopes of a cup run , and brutally despatched us at their ground with not one but two ex players making the most of the multitude of chances we offered up. Of the two Nelson is now running down his contract having declined a new one, and may well be on the way out of the Kassam, perhaps hoping to play at a ground with four sides again....Apparently he will only go for a substantial sum.....now where have we heard that before....Also do we have a sell on clause?
Oxford arrive having yet to record a league victory away from home...so that bodes badly, but also with a few injuries and on the back of a pretty dreadful home defeat by previously toothless Brizzle Rovers, now marching upwards under Graham Coughlan ( who he?).
Of course the window will be creaking open as they arrive....Oxford have already signed a Wolves winger, Jordan Graham, on loan, but who is apparently not eligible....the poor lad has now been released three times by Paul Lambert who seem to arrive at whatever club he signs for...which could mean Tarby Robinson is making a rod for his own back by signing him! The other imminent non playing arrival appears to be Mark Sykes from Glenavon. The Yellows are concerned that they are very much in a relegation fight, but remain confident of a treble based on what we have shown them so far.
To date no concrete rumours on who is coming or going through the portals at HP.....although the lesser spotted Ainsworth is in his native Scotland ....Livingstone we presume ( ok we were told). Carey to Luton, Brizzle City, Barcelona ( delete as inapplicable). That we might sign a right back ( technically another right back) seems a given.....as to who else....rumours of Mo Eisa on loan quicken the pulse, surely a good short term investment, although apparently there is lots of interest....if Pompous sign Stockley will Pittman be discarded, or would that leave them shorthanded?
But all eyes at three turn to Home Park and the chance to start 2019 as we started 2018...with a scrappy 1-0 home win
Happy New Year one and all
COYG
So back the the battle after a long New Year break following the timely and highly enjoyable dismemberment of the somewhat disjointed and disorganised Oxenfolk. Despite the damage done to the Curtis Nelson sell-on fee by their humbling on, a decent crowd saw a decent performance and a damn fine scoreline....more literate supporters were seen scrambling for their Pocket Rogets to remind themselves of the derivation of the phrase "Clean Sheet" Whilst the likes of Schmeichal ( P) and Cech boss the Premier League lists of most clean sheets it got me wondering which Argyle keeper has most clean sheets to his name....( Clue it won't be Macey or Letheren!). Argyles third round highlight? Jamille Matt scoring v Leicester probably.
So now fully rested the squad, diminished ( slightly) by the loss of diminutive wing wanderer Wylde but boosted by the homecoming of pony tailed midfielder ( not to ASBs great relief, fullback apparently) young Oscar, whose desire for a Nando's overcame the desire to avoid relegation in Belgium.....although bizarrely through the group play off system the league operates the club finishing 15th can still technically qualify for the Europa League!
With Mo Eisa seemingly lost on the M5 and Efe Ambrose wanting actual money to play for clubs, the mercenary, it looks like broadly as you were for the trip to the pier and Sarfend.
It is certainly as you were for Sarfend as they face their tenth winding up order of recent years early in February. So far they are 9-0 up against HMRC ( when do we get to play them then?) with Chairman Ron Martin known for his canny cash flow management. A suspended Theo Robinson in theory weakens their attack, and after a 0-2 capitulation to Pompous reserves in the "We Don't Care what it Called" Trophy the natives are to say the least restless about form and prospects....nervous enough to overlook our current unbeaten run stand at an awe inspiring two.....still a journey of thousand steps and all that.
Roots Hall with a seat pitch to rival Lutons is not the best ground to watch as an away fan but recent visits have not been too bad for Argyle, although historically not a great venue for the Greens. Being the wrong side on London makes it a rotten round trip so here is hoping the home sides inconsistency hits the downslope once again.
A win will be the second time the season we have managed two on the bounce, and be our best run of form of the season....again not a difficult achievement to overcome but positivity, positivity, positivity. Indeed with the bottom eight sides all playing away from home a better Saturday for a win is hard to imagine. Indeed ( admittedly with a twelve Goal swing on goal difference) technically Argyle could escape the bottom four by doing so....
Indeed the problems at Bolton that have resulted in ex Argyle loanee Remi Matthews returning to Norwich unpaid and seemingly unwanted, in the long term at least, put past arguments about club stewardship into perspective.
So, onwards and upwards....maybe
COYG!
So now fully rested the squad, diminished ( slightly) by the loss of diminutive wing wanderer Wylde but boosted by the homecoming of pony tailed midfielder ( not to ASBs great relief, fullback apparently) young Oscar, whose desire for a Nando's overcame the desire to avoid relegation in Belgium.....although bizarrely through the group play off system the league operates the club finishing 15th can still technically qualify for the Europa League!
With Mo Eisa seemingly lost on the M5 and Efe Ambrose wanting actual money to play for clubs, the mercenary, it looks like broadly as you were for the trip to the pier and Sarfend.
It is certainly as you were for Sarfend as they face their tenth winding up order of recent years early in February. So far they are 9-0 up against HMRC ( when do we get to play them then?) with Chairman Ron Martin known for his canny cash flow management. A suspended Theo Robinson in theory weakens their attack, and after a 0-2 capitulation to Pompous reserves in the "We Don't Care what it Called" Trophy the natives are to say the least restless about form and prospects....nervous enough to overlook our current unbeaten run stand at an awe inspiring two.....still a journey of thousand steps and all that.
Roots Hall with a seat pitch to rival Lutons is not the best ground to watch as an away fan but recent visits have not been too bad for Argyle, although historically not a great venue for the Greens. Being the wrong side on London makes it a rotten round trip so here is hoping the home sides inconsistency hits the downslope once again.
A win will be the second time the season we have managed two on the bounce, and be our best run of form of the season....again not a difficult achievement to overcome but positivity, positivity, positivity. Indeed with the bottom eight sides all playing away from home a better Saturday for a win is hard to imagine. Indeed ( admittedly with a twelve Goal swing on goal difference) technically Argyle could escape the bottom four by doing so....
Indeed the problems at Bolton that have resulted in ex Argyle loanee Remi Matthews returning to Norwich unpaid and seemingly unwanted, in the long term at least, put past arguments about club stewardship into perspective.
So, onwards and upwards....maybe
COYG!
So a trip to the South East brings one of the more surprising 80 minute scoreline and a much more predictable last ten minutes of Keystone Kop conceding highlighted by Kyle, but the second WW sequence of the season and a win against the Sky Blues in the Bombsite Derby ( c J Stelling/EFL) will mean that Colin Murray et al really can continue to bleat on about the fact that Argyle really need to start the season with a New Years Eve party and running out to Auld Lang Syne in August instead of Semper Fi.
Of course Blue Skies over Home Park means a second week of praying for the immutable law od the ex , with hot streak striker/winger/No 10 cum genius Ruben Lameiras shows his former club what he is missing. Of course as soon as the final whistle blows we can forget all that superstitious nonesence before Scott Laird arrive with Warsaw.
The Godivans arrive in not amazing form, and terrified that a) their ex playmaker will strike and b) that Vincent Pericard, often overlooked in the list of great Argyle no 9's, scored a remarkable 13.5% of his total League goal career in one game versus the Sky Blues. Despite this they are still favourites with the bookies.
Meanwhile the yellow peril stalks the HP temporary changing rooms as both Sarcs and GC10 hover on the cusp of a well earned mid season warm weather break, despite the stinginess new chairman Simon Hallett. A couple of mistimed challenges and a quick trip to Thomas Cooks for the naughty step dwellers who can swan off to the Maldives for a quick recharge....
Sadly for both players the slightly unexpected cup run of Warsaw means that midweek fixture and a Saturday game rules about anymore than a mini break so expect both to be on best behaviour until Tuesday to maximise their holiday potential.
Sadly for both the random interventions of the famous T Kettle could ruin their plans as he goes about reinterpreting the Hashtag Metoo to Hashtag Look at me , see how I blow my whistle so fine and irrationally. Luckily for both sets of fans they could start the chorus of "You don't know what you are doing" simultaneously and no-one would think anything as untoward. expect the EFL referees assessor to have an extra sharp pencil and a jumbo notebook for his report this weekend...let's hope they get overtime to make it worth their while.
Fixtures wise Oxford have a tricky match home to Pompous, and Brizzle Rovers host unpredictable Whycome. Lets also hope for more drop goal style scoring from Southend wunderkind at Bradford as the relegation runners and rider bunch as we get past the four furlong mark.
Transfer wise the tumbleweed still blows across the HP environs as Derek gradually crosses off names from his list as they emigrate, obfuscate or simply add his number to their blocked list.
After a fairly barre period, defence blunder wise ( well one and a half games ish) a penalty and a shot from side the opposition half has once again caused the palpitations to flourish in the back line...a narrow defeat at Highfield Road came despite a red card and let's hope the early season tendency for early baths is avoided, especially as the changing rooms are still temporary and an early bath will probably mean the rest of the players have to use cold water.
Two games at home in four games could see a small surge of hope and optimism....
COYG
Of course Blue Skies over Home Park means a second week of praying for the immutable law od the ex , with hot streak striker/winger/No 10 cum genius Ruben Lameiras shows his former club what he is missing. Of course as soon as the final whistle blows we can forget all that superstitious nonesence before Scott Laird arrive with Warsaw.
The Godivans arrive in not amazing form, and terrified that a) their ex playmaker will strike and b) that Vincent Pericard, often overlooked in the list of great Argyle no 9's, scored a remarkable 13.5% of his total League goal career in one game versus the Sky Blues. Despite this they are still favourites with the bookies.
Meanwhile the yellow peril stalks the HP temporary changing rooms as both Sarcs and GC10 hover on the cusp of a well earned mid season warm weather break, despite the stinginess new chairman Simon Hallett. A couple of mistimed challenges and a quick trip to Thomas Cooks for the naughty step dwellers who can swan off to the Maldives for a quick recharge....
Sadly for both players the slightly unexpected cup run of Warsaw means that midweek fixture and a Saturday game rules about anymore than a mini break so expect both to be on best behaviour until Tuesday to maximise their holiday potential.
Sadly for both the random interventions of the famous T Kettle could ruin their plans as he goes about reinterpreting the Hashtag Metoo to Hashtag Look at me , see how I blow my whistle so fine and irrationally. Luckily for both sets of fans they could start the chorus of "You don't know what you are doing" simultaneously and no-one would think anything as untoward. expect the EFL referees assessor to have an extra sharp pencil and a jumbo notebook for his report this weekend...let's hope they get overtime to make it worth their while.
Fixtures wise Oxford have a tricky match home to Pompous, and Brizzle Rovers host unpredictable Whycome. Lets also hope for more drop goal style scoring from Southend wunderkind at Bradford as the relegation runners and rider bunch as we get past the four furlong mark.
Transfer wise the tumbleweed still blows across the HP environs as Derek gradually crosses off names from his list as they emigrate, obfuscate or simply add his number to their blocked list.
After a fairly barre period, defence blunder wise ( well one and a half games ish) a penalty and a shot from side the opposition half has once again caused the palpitations to flourish in the back line...a narrow defeat at Highfield Road came despite a red card and let's hope the early season tendency for early baths is avoided, especially as the changing rooms are still temporary and an early bath will probably mean the rest of the players have to use cold water.
Two games at home in four games could see a small surge of hope and optimism....
COYG
Nor so much dangerous Moonlight as Dangerous Floodlight. Argyle enter the HP arena ( seriously has anyone contacted Heinz about naming rights ...a quick million in the till and we would adopt an all brown strip for sure....) to try and ensure our previous aversion to Tuesday at home continues to be put to the sword and our 100% 2019 continues.
If we met Warsaw on the opening day of the season with what transpired to be ill founded optimism, we can at least enter the return fixture with what should amount to cautious lack of pessimism....aiming for four on the bounce and the potential to hustle to stratospheric height of 17th and if Fleetwood stumble at the Dons then within striking distance of 12th....indeed keep this up and the reminiscences of last season will all come flooding back.
To counter that Walsall decided to cease being in free fall and tonked Gillingham, recent conquerors of Pompous and Warnocks Welsh wizards, and have recently begun overhauling their defence by, well pretty much signing a new one to replace the one that had gone ten games without a win....this includes ex Pilgrim ( Scotty Laird) and more surprisingly the evil lion from The Lion King, Scarr, who had apparently left the veldt to sign for Birmingham City. In midfield they also field Musafa, the boy king himself ( Editors Note, that is Mussa a little known Belgian U18 international. Musafa is on loan at Port vale together with Flounder from The Little Mermaid)
Other than raiding Disney classics to rebuild their team ( let's hope for Mary Poppins in goal) Walsall have recently plummeted, although they did manage to win at Sunderland in the cup and hold Luton to a draw ....in other words capable on their day.
As we approach the final week of the transfer window, little activity in either direction...although the faithful have gone from worrying Ruben is too lightweight to worrying that Ole Gunnar Solksjar is sniffing around the Portuguese man o'Score after his stunning run of form. A goal under the lights tonight will make it six in a row, and an almost certain third minute red card for the Wycombe player detailed to take him out next Saturday to prevent the seven up!
Likely to be an unchanged squad again, the big questions remain. Are those travel brochures for shin pads as Antoni eyes up his personal six in a row with the ref? Will the groundsman stop bothering to paint in the penalty spots at the Argyle end? How long till GC10 bulges the net, and is this his longest spell without a goal for Argyle...
All told two good results Saturday and Tuesday set up a trip to our favourite cut de satin a much different frame of mind to pre Christmas.
COYG
If we met Warsaw on the opening day of the season with what transpired to be ill founded optimism, we can at least enter the return fixture with what should amount to cautious lack of pessimism....aiming for four on the bounce and the potential to hustle to stratospheric height of 17th and if Fleetwood stumble at the Dons then within striking distance of 12th....indeed keep this up and the reminiscences of last season will all come flooding back.
To counter that Walsall decided to cease being in free fall and tonked Gillingham, recent conquerors of Pompous and Warnocks Welsh wizards, and have recently begun overhauling their defence by, well pretty much signing a new one to replace the one that had gone ten games without a win....this includes ex Pilgrim ( Scotty Laird) and more surprisingly the evil lion from The Lion King, Scarr, who had apparently left the veldt to sign for Birmingham City. In midfield they also field Musafa, the boy king himself ( Editors Note, that is Mussa a little known Belgian U18 international. Musafa is on loan at Port vale together with Flounder from The Little Mermaid)
Other than raiding Disney classics to rebuild their team ( let's hope for Mary Poppins in goal) Walsall have recently plummeted, although they did manage to win at Sunderland in the cup and hold Luton to a draw ....in other words capable on their day.
As we approach the final week of the transfer window, little activity in either direction...although the faithful have gone from worrying Ruben is too lightweight to worrying that Ole Gunnar Solksjar is sniffing around the Portuguese man o'Score after his stunning run of form. A goal under the lights tonight will make it six in a row, and an almost certain third minute red card for the Wycombe player detailed to take him out next Saturday to prevent the seven up!
Likely to be an unchanged squad again, the big questions remain. Are those travel brochures for shin pads as Antoni eyes up his personal six in a row with the ref? Will the groundsman stop bothering to paint in the penalty spots at the Argyle end? How long till GC10 bulges the net, and is this his longest spell without a goal for Argyle...
All told two good results Saturday and Tuesday set up a trip to our favourite cut de satin a much different frame of mind to pre Christmas.
COYG
