SEASON 2008-09
Coca
Cola Football League Championship
Final Points: 51 Position:
21
Player of the Year: Romain Larrieu
Young Player: Craig Cathcart
THE SEASON IN PICTURES |
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The story of the season: a selection of 100 photos from over 6,000 in the season's match pages. |
After the turmoil of 2007-08 and then the loss of four senior players with nearly 1000 appearances between them, there were more than a few unfamiliar faces on the pre-season pitches, not to mention a long list of trialists who came, and went. With five making their Home Park debut on the opening day - a number exceeded only twice in the last hundred years - the season began with an encouraging draw against the eventual champions. But with only one more point after five games, the Pilgrims hit the table's bottom, only to bounce as rapidly in the next five to occupy a play-off place. Suddenly optimism was high, but in the time-honoured tradition, it wasn't to last. A slow but steady decline for much of the season meant that the end came just in time, with Argyle only just finishing the right side of the dreaded dotted line. The year's greatest disappointment was the underachievement of many of the season's early-season signings - Mpenza and Marin to name but two. Thank goodness for the loanees: Gallagher, Cathcart, Gray, Fletcher and Judge - it was a season saved by our only means to pay for the quality required - a sobering thought for the future. Perhaps the Japanese will come to the rescue, but it was all quiet on the far-eastern front for this campaign. But hey, it could have been worse - who bet on Norwich, Southampton and Charlton for the dreaded drop? |
Arrivals: Chris Barker, Yala Bolasie, Craig Cathcart, George Donnelly, Rudy Douala, Karl Duguid, Carl Fletcher, Paul Gallagher, David Gray, Alan Judge, Nicolas Marin, David McNamee, Emile Mpenza, Craig Noone, Jason Puncheon, Graham Stack, Simon Walton. |
Departures: Craig Cathcart, Rudy Douala, Paul Gallagher, David Gray, Peter Halmosi, Alan Judge, Nicolas Marin, Luke McCormick, Emile Mpenza, Dan Smith. |
Click on the icons below for photos, commentary clips
and full match details of the games against
Wolves (H), Watford (A), Cardiff (H), Wolves (A), Blackpool (A), Coventry
(H), Barnsley (H) and Arsenal (A)
starting appearance appearing substitute goals cautioned sent off
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