THE DAILY DIARY

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Also included on the three most recent days, facts from Argyle's history.

Thursday 30th November 2023

Lewis Gibson has won the CT1 Argyle Player of the Month award for November. He topped the fans' poll with 40.3% of the total vote. Morgan Whittaker, who was named Player of the Month for September and October, was second, ahead of Finn Azaz and Luke Cundle.

"It's a great thing to achieve," said Gibson. "To be recognised for the form that you've been in and the work you've put in. A big thank you to everyone who voted, and to the Green Army for all the support given to the team."

29th

Steven Schumacher unsurprisingly admitted disappointment and frustration at last night's one-nil defeat by Coventry, particularly at the line call that cost the Greens the game. That view was shared by many of the 1,700 travelling Pilgrims who braved the Tuesday-night cold in the Midlands.

"Our performance wasn't brilliant, but I don't think we deserved to lose the game either," said Schumacher. "We should have come away from it with a 0-0, if anything, but a poor call has cost us.

"We had little spells in the game where we managed to string a few passes together. Some of our quality tonight just wasn't there. We gave the ball away too cheaply. We got into really good areas on the pitch and then didn't make anything of it. That's not like us. We've been pretty good going forward and a bit more clinical than that.

"It's a tough ask to go Saturday-Tuesday with the same 11," Schumacher said. "Sometimes that can work for you, sometimes it doesn't.

"We kept going, we huffed and puffed towards the end, but we just didn't have it tonight. It just wasn't our best night going forward at all.

"Bringing 1,500 fans on a Tuesday night that's freezing cold, just before Christmas away from home - it's important that the lads put 100 per cent effort in it. I think we did that. That's the bare minimum.

"I don't think they didn't try, the lads; tonight just wasn't their night."

28th

Captain Joe Edwards played his 200th game for the Pilgrims in their narrow 1-0 defeat by Coventry City. He's the 70th player in Club history to reach this mark. Joe was then manager, Ryan Lowe's first signing, joining Argyle from Walsall in 2019 and was Player of the Season in 2020-21. Joe signed a new contract at the beginning of this campaign to keep him at Home Park as a player until 2025, with an agreement in principle for a coaching role after that.

In the same game, Morgan Whittaker made his 50th appearance for Argyle.

Argyle were beaten 1-0 by a goal shrouded in controversy on a bitter night at Coventry City. On a night of few chances, the game was headed for a blank when a cross from the byline teed up Haji Wright for the winner 15 minutes from time. The Greens were furious that a goal-kick had not been awarded, as the ball looked to be a yard over the line but the protests were ignored and Coventry took the points.

Argyle: Cooper, Mumba (T Wright), Houghton, Pleguezuelo, Edwards (Galloway), Whittaker, Gibson, Azaz (C Wright), Waine (Bundu), Cundle (Randell), Kesler-Hayden. Substitutes (not used): Hazard, Scarr, Butcher, Warrington.

27th

Three Argyle players feature in the current FL Paper's team of the week. Goalscorers, Morgan Whittaker and Fin Azaz are joined by defender Lewis Gibson who also played a key role in Argyle's 2-0 win against Sunderland on Saturday.

Former defender, Andy 'Jock' Morrison. has had his tenure as Sri Lankan national coach extended by three years. Jock joined the Pilgrims as a trainee from local youth leagues in 1988. He went on to make 133 appearances, scoring seven goals, in his five-year stay at Home Park before being signed by Blackburn Rovers in April 1993.

Former Argyle winger and fans favourite, Yannick Bolasie, has signed for Swansea on a short-term deal till the end of January 2024. After leaving Home Park, Bolasie had a season at Bristol City and then went on to play for Crystal Palace, where he spent four years before signing for Everton in 2016 for £25m. However, his stay at Goodison Park was marred by injury and he had loan spells at Aston Villa, Anderlecht, Sporting and Middlesbrough. Prior to today's move to south Wales, Bolasie played for Turkish club, Caykur Rizespor where he was involved in relegation and promotion in successive seasons.

26th

Steven Schumacher's side put in a tremendous performance against Sunderland yesterday, full of commitment, heart and no little skill. Occasionally, the bounce of the ball, twice off the frame of the goal, fell kindly for Argyle, but they had more than earned their luck, with memorable first-half goals from Morgan Whittaker and Finn Azaz

"Everyone's worked so hard this week," Schumacher said after the game. "We spoke a lot about how good Sunderland have been and what type of players that they've got. We knew we would have had to be defensively well organised, which I felt we were. But we also showed our quality once again. The two goals that we scored in the first half were outstanding goals from two lads who are in great form.

"Sunderland started the game really well. They had a right good go. They started the game excellently and we scored at an important time. It settled us down into the game and then we got the second goal from a regain. It was a good first half, and kind of how we expected it to go.

"We said to the lads at half-time, try not to panic too much. We will create one or two chances on the counter-attack, and if we can take one of them, it gives us a bit of breathing space. We also knew that we'd have to defend. And boy, did we do that. Everyone, to a man, put the bodies on the line. Michael made a couple of saves. It's a brilliant clean sheet against one of the top scorers in the division.

"They were in the top six and it gives us confidence. We've proved this season already that we can compete with the top teams - some really good results and some excellent performances in general - but it's important that when you do put good performances in that you get points. We've done that."

Argyle Women progressed to the third round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup with a victory over AFC Stoneham Ladies. A brace from no 9 Ellie Sara helped Argyle to a 4-2 win, despite two late goals from the visitors.

In other Cup news, the men's under-18s exited the PDL competition yesterday, despite a resilient performance and admirable result, as they came from behind to draw 3-3 with Swansea City at Millennium Fields.

Goals from Fin Wilkes, Joe Hatch, with a penalty, and Freddie Issaka, cancelled out the Welsh side's three strikes. However, Margetson, the Swans 'keeper denied the Young Pilgrims minutes from time—a goal which would have seen them progress to the next stage. So, although Argyle were unbeaten in the round-robin group (with draws against Cardiff and Swansea and a win against Bournemouth), it was Swansea who went through as group winners.

This result, though, means that the under-18s are unbeaten in five across all competitions.

25th

Argyle answered every question posed by an excellent Sunderland to secure an excellent 2-0 win for a perfect return from the international window. After a strong start from the visitors, Argyle broke the deadlock with a fizzing drive from the trusty left boot of Morgan Whittaker and a decisive second arrived five minutes before the break, Finn Azaz calmly slotting into the bottom corner.

Argyle: Cooper, Mumba, Houghton, Pleguezuelo, Edwards, Whittaker (Galloway), Gibson, Azaz (Butcher), Waine (Bundu), Cundle (Randell), Kesler-Hayden. Substitutes (not used): Hazard, Scarr, C Wright, Warrington, T Wright.

Argyle have welcomed five new recruits to the Academy.

Jacob Rowe is an aspiring under-9s goalkeeper whose brothers, Isaac and Ethan, are already part of the Academy set. up. Oliver Blackledge and Benjamin Glendenning have joined the under-10s. Joshua Poole, a central defender from Crediton, the under-13s and forward, Joe Rapson, from Plymouth the under-15s.

Adam Hayman, Head of Academy Recruitment, said: "I'm a delighted to welcome all five boys into the Academy. Each player's journey is very different, with their talents either identified and nurtured within our pathway, or identified by our fantastic team of scouts playing for their local grassroots club. Their journey is now in their own hands, and we look forward to supporting them on and off the pitch as part of our Academy."

15th

Argyle Academy goalkeeper, Leo McCormick has been called up for an England Under-15s 'Emerging Talent' get-together. Leo, who is the son of former Argyle 'keeper Luke McCormick, will join up with the rest of the selected group at St George's Park, for a three-day camp.

Leo was part of the Argyle squad who finished third in their SupercupNI campaign in Northern Ireland in July.

"It's a great opportunity for Leo," said Argyle Academy goalkeeping coach Rhys Wilmot. "He's got some smashing attributes which have been identified by the English FA. He did exceptionally well in Northern Ireland, he is progressing all the time, and this is a great next step for him. I'm confident he will use this experience to learn from. It is great recognition for him and for the football club."

11th

A two-goal burst in the first half ultimately condemned Argyle to a narrow defeat in the cauldron of Elland Road, as Argyle lost 2-1 to Leeds Utd. Dan James stroked a lovely opener for Leedsand the hosts doubled the lead through Joel Piroe, as the home side showed their attacking prowess in the opening half-hour. The Pilgrims dug in and began to assert themselves on the game, earning a reward with a lovely goal from Ben Waine six minutes from time but it wasn't enough for a draw.

Argyle: Cooper, Mumba, Houghton (Butcher), Pleguezuelo (Edwards), Scarr, Whittaker, Gibson, Azaz (Issaka), Randell (Waine), Cundle, Kesler-Hayden (Wright). Substitutes (not used): Hazard, Gillepshey, Warrington, T Wright.

10th

Argyle's Evergreen scheme has won the top prize in the Best Fan Engagement category at the Sports Business Awards 2023, held at the Hurlingham Club in west London. The awards are judged across all sports, not just football.

Evergreen won the gold ahead of Lewes Community Football Club in silver and The FA Matchday Programmes – The FA & Wonderly - in bronze. Also nominated in the category were the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Highlights, NHL Big City Greens Classic, the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team and VRTL.

The Sports Business Awards are recognised as an industry leader, celebrating the achievements of the teams behind the scenes, so it is a great honour and proud reflection the work of the Evergreen team and of all its members.

9th

Argyle have announced that, from the start of the 2024/25 season, the management and ownership of Plymouth Argyle Women's Football Club, will transfer from the Argyle Community Trust to PAFC.

The transition will see an increase in the already significant financial contribution with which PAFC has supported PAWFC in recent years and will provide direct access to club staff expertise in areas such as ticketing, finance, communications, commercial activities, and administration.

Most significantly, onfield matters will be overseen by our Director of Football Neil Dewsnip, who is a passionate advocate of the Women's game and who was closely involved with the Canadian women's team when they won the Olympic Gold medal in 2021.

Neil Dewsnip said: "This is an important step for the football club as we look to progress both on and off the pitch. "We have seen the work we have implemented across the men's team and academy start to come to fruition, although there is still a long way to go, and it is vital we now put structures and processes in place for the women's team so it can thrive and be successful moving forward."

4th

Argyle and Middlesbrough shared the points and six goals in a classic at a saturated Home Park. Boro struck first, Josh Coburn scoring midway through the first period but fabulous goals from Bali Mumba and Finn Azaz gave the Pilgrims a half-time lead. The visitors dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second half and led 3-2, thanks to Coburn, slotting the rebound after his penalty had been save by Michael Cooper, and a prodded finish from Sam Greenwood. Back came the Pilgrims, and Morgan Whittaker secured a deserved point with a lovely curling free-kick into the far corner.

Argyle: Cooper,Mumba (Randell), Houghton, Scarr, Whittaker (Issaka), Miller, Gibson, Azaz, Waine (Pleguezuelo), Cundle (C Wright), Kesler-Hayden. Substitutes (not used): Hazard, Gillesphey, 7 Matt Butcher, Edwards, T Wright.

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