THE DAILY DIARY

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

Sunday 31st December 2023

Striker, Morgan Whittaker, is the fans' choice as player of the month for December, ahead of Finn Azaz, Lewis Gibson and Brendan Galloway. Morgan played in all seven of Argyle's December fixtures, scoring four goals. He previously won the September and October awards.

30th

"I'm really, really upset on behalf of the players," said Director of Football Neil Dewsnip. "If I took you in our dressing room just after the game, the lads can't do any more."

Dewsnip was referring to last night's 2-1 away defeat to Southampton in which Bali Mumba's headed goal, putting Argyle 1-0 ahead, was wrongly declared offside and from which Southampton took a quick free kick, broke away and scored.

"Our game plan was obvious. It was working a dream. We were doing fine. The last two teams we've come here have lost 4-0 and 5-0; we knew the size of the task. We score a really good goal that everybody in the country will know that we have and, once again, 'little old Plymouth Argyle' don't get the rub of the green.

"In the first half we felt as though we had some opportunities, which we didn't really take. A little bit more quality, a better final pass, and we'd have had a chance or two at the other end.

"Another group of people – 3,000 fans again - screaming from the rooftops, for which we're very, very grateful. I feel for them driving home as well as I feel for the players. It's really disappointing and difficult to take."

Argyle announced the establishment of Forever Green - a successor to Paul Hart's Argyle Legends - celebrating all those 1,179 who have pulled on the Green since the first professional game in September 1903.

Each year, a series of events will take place, with friendly matches, entertainment evenings, fun days, competitions and more. These will celebrate the achievements and contributions of all Argyle ex-players, and will also generate funds to help with the running of Forever Green.

The intention is to maintain a fund to assist with the pastoral care of all Forever Green members, providing access to care, training and support should they need it.

Initially, fans are invited to vote for a small number of Forever Icons who will be revealed at the home game against Cardiff City on Saturday 20 January. Polling closes on 8 January

Former Argyle player and manager, Peter Shilton, has been awarded a CBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to football and the prevention of gambling harm.

29th

Argyle completed a memorable 2023 with a 2-1 defeat at Southampton, a side that begun their year two divisions above the Pilgrims. While that gulf has narrowed considerably in the past 12 months, the Saints are still an excellent side and bagged their points with second-half goals from Carlos Alcaraz and Che Adams. However, the Greens will look back on a disappointing, and incorrect, offside decision that prevented Bali Mumba from notching an opening goal just 35 seconds before Alcaraz scored at the other end. A late goal from Ryan Hardie, pouncing on a goalkeeping error, ultimately proved to be a consolation.

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

27th

Argyle's Director of Football, Neil Dewsnip, was pleased with the point against Cardiff City on Boxing Day, but was disappointed and frustrated that it should have been more.

"Before the game you would have that was a good point but the lads are devastated in the dressing room," he said. "We've had so many good quality chances to score; we have scored two goals, but we could have - and should have - scored more."

A brace from on-fire Morgan Whittaker assured the point for Argyle after a disastrous own goal in the first half had cancelled out an early Argyle lead.

"We've got to wise up a little bit; that's a really unnecessary goal, [Cardiff's] first goal. We're working really, really hard to score at one end, and we've got to learn quickly not to be so naive to give them something for nothing really.

Dewsnip praised the players for their adaptability and resilience, but pointed out that having 3,000 of the Green Army roaring their side along was another plus point, and an indicator of the togetherness of the entire football club.

"They have this spirit amongst them, don't they, the players? It's a spirit that must come from the fans. There are 3,000 of them here again today; amazing support and we're very grateful. It's difficult not to try hard for them.

"I just think it's the way it is at Plymouth Argyle. We're all joined up from Simon, the owner, through the players, through the staff and ultimately the Green Army.

"We take some beating when we're all together."

Morgan Whittaker unsurprisingly made the EFL Championship team of the week for his double strike against Cardiff on Boxing Day. Morgan has now scored 12 goals for the Greens this term - the current joint second highest in the division.

26th

In the Championship Days of Yore, Argyle trips to Cardiff City were a regular feature in the Boxing Day schedule, and the 2023 version was another intoxicating encounter. Argyle led 1-0, trailed 2-1, and ultimately settled for a solid point on the road, as the match concluded 2-2. Morgan Whittaker opened the scoring for the Greens, Cardiff drawing level with a Matt Butcher own goal and grabbing the lead when Karlan Grant notched early in the second period. Whittaker replied with a deserved equaliser midway through the second half.

Argyle: Hazard, Gillesphey (Galloway), Pleguezuelo, Butcher, Whittaker, Wright (Mumba), Miller (Azaz), Gibson, Randell (Cundle), Waine (Issaka), Kesler-Hayden. Substitutes (not used): Burton, Edwards, Wright, Roberts.

24th

Argyle's Director of Football, Neil Dewsnip, was both proud and relieved at the 3-3 draw with Birmingham at Home Park yesterday. Morgan Whittaker fired Argyle level in the 87th minute and Dewsnip felt this was a point warranted after such a challenging week which saw the departure. of manager Steven Schumacher.

"I'm feeling proud. The mental toughness of our players is amazing. To go from the situation we've had this week, with Steven leaving us, to being 2-0 down, to showing the character to bounce back from not only 2-0 down but 3-1 down, is amazing really.

"To get something out of the game, hopefully it sends a message to the fans that we're OK. We're still in there fighting.

"It was really, really important that the Green Army didn't lose any faith. They kept singing, they kept screaming on our behalf, and that's massive, so let me say a massive 'thank you', on behalf of myself, on behalf of the staff and all the players - they certainly helped.

"We weren't too pleased with the two goals we conceded, especially the one off the corner kick, but it gave us an opportunity to regroup and plan to go forwards. To have got the equaliser and to come away with a point against a side that's around us.

"It had to be Morgan, the way he always cuts in and scores those sort of goals.

"I'm incredibly proud of them. It's not just the squad. It's the whole football club. From Simon Hallett all the way through. The resilience is amazing."

Captain, Joe Edwards, echoed these sentiments.

"I'm proud of the boys, because to come back from 2-0 down and 3-1 down, no matter what's happened out there is a great achievement for us," said Edwards. "It was a mad game, but we kept going.

"The boys never gave in and they kept believing. When we've got ability that we have up front we fancy ourselves to score goals. Luckily we did that."

23rd

A turbulent week at Home Park concluded with a fantastic festive clash as Argyle came from behind to draw 3-3 to visitors Birmingham City. The Blues raced into a two-goal lead with strikes from Jay Stansfield and Jordan James, but the pattern shifted when skipper Joe Edwards pulled one back just before half-time. Birmingham were reduced to ten men immediately after the restart, Krystian Bielik shown a straight red, but the visitors still extended their lead through Juninho Bacuna. Back came the Pilgrims, reducing the arrears after an own goal from Marc Roberts and Morgan Whittaker popped up with a late leveller.

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

19th

Having been Argyle manager for two years and 12 days, and after a weekend of speculation and rumour, Steven Schumacher surprisingly left the Club to become Head Coach at Championship rivals, Stoke City. Also leaving with him for the Bet365 stadium were Assistant Manager, Mark Hughes, First-Team Coach, Peter Cavanagh, and Goalkeeper Coach, Darren Behcet.

'Schuey' succeeded Ryan Lowe who quit for Preston North End in December 2021, quickly becoming a fans' favourite--a popular chant was 'Schuey's at the wheel'. In his short tenure, he became one of Argyle's most successful managers, leading the team to the League One title with 101 points and promotion to the Championship in May 2023.

Three Argyle players--Lewis Gibson, Finn Azaz and Morgan Whittaker--have have been included in the EFL Championship team of the week. The three were pivotal in Argyle's 3-2 win against Rotherham on Saturday: Azaz with two goals and Whittaker with the winning strike in the 97th minute.

Argyle under-18s won 7-3 against Newport County in the EFL Youth Alliance South West Division in their final match of 2023. The goalscorers were Joe Hatch (2), Caleb Roberts (2), Josh Bernard, Sam Lord and Freddie Issaka.

17th

Argyle's Under-18s progressed to the area final of the Youth Alliance Cup with a 3-1 win against Sutton United at Millennium Fields.

Tegan Finn opened the scoring inside two minutes. He went on to score a second, and Argyle's third, with just over ten minutes left to play, putting the outcome beyond doubt.

Freddie Issaka scored a sublime solo goal midway through the first-half to take his tally to 11 for the season, three in three in the Youth Alliance Cup.

With this result, Jamie Lowry's side booked their spot in the Youth Alliance Cup area final against Portsmouth in the New Year. This will be a chance for the under-18s to right their wrongs against the only side that have beaten them so far in the league this campaign.

Argyle Women's final game of the year ended in heartbreak, with Cardiff City coming from behind to win at Coach Road.

Argyle took the lead via Mia Endacott just after the half-hour mark, with City equalising with a Grace Horrell strike. Horrell's second, during a strong spell for Cardiff in the second half, gave City a lead they never relinquished.

The win brings Cardiff level on points with Argyle, and above the Pilgrims on goal difference.

16th

Argyle beat bottom of the table Rotherham United 3-2 in a game that saw an incredible 23 minutes of stoppage time played over the two halves, Argyle won it in dramatic fashion, with two of their goals arriving in the added minutes. The Millers grabbed an early lead through Jamie Lindsay but injuries and delays were the main story of the opening 45 (plus 13) minutes. The Greens did get some relief, however, Finn Azaz levelling with a penalty in the dying embers of an epic half. Azaz grabbed his second after the break and Argyle were seemingly in control when the experienced Daniel Ayala was sent off for two bookable offences but Rotherham snatched responded with an equaliser from Tom Eaves. The final word on a thrilling afternoon came from Morgan Whittaker, bundling the winner home following another delicious pass from Azaz.

Argyle: Hazard, Mumba (Randell), Houghton, Pleguezuelo, Edwards (Kesler-Hayden), Hardie (Bundu) (Waine), Whittaker, Miller (Galloway), Gibson, Azaz, Cundle (C Wright). Substitutes (not used): Burton, Gillepshey, Butcher.

14th

Argyle manager Steven Schumacher said that his side's 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers last night felt like a win in the circumstances which developed during the evening.

The Greens made a superb start to the game, creating numerous chances and largely pinning their hosts into their own half, but the game took a huge turn when Dan Scarr was sent off 25 minutes in, for serious foul play.

This naturally changed the complexion of the game, with Argyle's objective switching to preservation of a point. They did just that with an excellent, organised, defensive display to see the game out in relative comfort.

"I'm proud of the players," said Schumacher. "The result almost feels like a win under the circumstances. The effort and desire to keep the ball out of the net was outstanding.

"The only thing about it is we probably should be coming away with a 1-0 win because the way we played in that first 15, 20 minutes was outstanding and we should have scored.

"If we do score, then we've got something to hang on to. We could be coming away with three points, but I can't complain too much. Any point on the road is good."

Nearly 2,000 members of the Green Army were in the MATRADE Loftus Road away end. They started loud - and got louder. They clearly appreciated the effort their side put in, and vocalised that in a similar, positive manner to way they had backed the side four days earlier, after a defeat at Leicester City.

"Two-thousand tickets sold on a Wednesday night in London is unbelievable," said Schuey. "That was my message before the game: this is for them. And the lads put everything in, 100 per cent effort in, and they get the rewards from it. They get clapped off by our fans, and we really appreciate it."

13th

A 0-0 draw on a cold December night in the Capital could easily be considered as a forgettable point in Pilgrim history. In reality, however, it was an Argyle performance packed with the character, discipline and organisation that sums up the qualities required in a gruelling Championship campaign. Argyle blitzed QPR for the opening 25 minutes and could have scored at least a couple but the evening changed when Dan Scarr was dismissed for the Pilgrims, prompting more than an hour of proud professionalism to earn a battling point.

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

12th

Argyle Women have been drawn against Nottingham Forest in the fourth round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup. The Greens have been granted a home tie which will be played on Sunday 14 January.

10th

Steven Schumacher was naturally disappointed at Argyle's 4-0 loss to league leaders, Leicester City, at the King Power stadium yesterday, but felt some fine margins were significant in deciding the outcome.

"I'm disappointed to lose the game, but I feel the scoreline might be a little bit harsh," said Schumacher. "We knew we were coming to a top team and with the quality that they've got, we knew our performance had to be perfect.

It's a disappointing defeat, but I'm not too disappointed in how it happened. I know it's another 4-0 away from home, but it's completely different to the last time that happened to us. We take it and we move on.

""I think a lot of the first half was really good. They started the game well, which we expected, and then we grew into the game. We grew in belief, played with a load of confidence, and got into some brilliant areas.

"Let's have it right; we should have scored in the first half. We didn't, and in the half-time, we said: 'come on, stick to the plan, keep being aggressive with our press' because we highlighted that was going to be our best way to score.

"We grew into the game and started passing the ball in the areas that we wanted to try and nick the ball off Leicester, we managed to do that. We got the crowd uneasy and we created some brilliant chances. I also said to the players, 'come on, you need to take one of those chances. You're not going to get too many more of them. Someone's got to show that one bit of quality.'

"Unfortunately, from a good bit of quality from them [they score]. Sometimes you've got to hold your hand up. It's a great pass from the goalie, their striker's in on goal and they've punished us.

"That's the difference between the two teams; they have more quality than what we do. We knew that before we started, so I'm not too surprised.

"We didn't make more of a game of it, so within ten minutes of the second half, the game's gone. It's out of our hands and it's damage limitation to a certain extent, but even then I felt that the lads kept going and kept playing the way we wanted to play. We nicked the ball off them again three or four times right outside their box and just didn't have that moment where someone could score."

Schumacher also praised the almost 3,000 travelling fans whose 20-minute rendition of 'Green and White Barmy Army' at the end of the game was not lost on the player who came over to support the Green Army at full time.

Argyle Women progressed to the fourth round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup after a dramatic win against Oxford United at Coach Road. The Greens triumphed 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out with each player netting and one Oxford taker--former Argyle player, Leah Burridge--missing.

It was a dramatic to-and-fro encounter which ebbed and flowed during the game's 120 minutes, ending 2-2, before penalties decided the outcome. There were goals in both periods of normal time: Oxford scored just before the end of the first half, with Argyle equalising in the time added after 90 minutes. Oxford had a penalty in the second period of extra time but Argyle spectacularly equalised again almost immediately, taking the game to penalties.

9th

Leicester City underlined their status as title favourites with a ruthless spell of finishing to inflict a 4-0 defeat on the Pilgrims. A penalty from Stephy Mavididi set the Foxes on their way but the general nature of the first half was very encouraging for Argyle, who enjoyed decent possession and twice went close to an equaliser. Unfortunately, the game was gone when Leicester struck a quickfire triple early in the second period. Patson Daka doubled the lead, Mavididi notched his second and another from Wilfred Ndidi ended the contest.

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

8th

Will Jenkins Davies has returned to Torquay United on loan. The 19-year-old started the season at Plainmoor, playing 10 times for the Gulls before injuring his knee. He is now recovered, is returning to Torquay and is available for selection this weekend.

7th

Steven Schumacher today celebrates his second anniversary as Argyle manager. Schuey succeeded Ryan Lowe when the latter left Home Park for Preston North End in December 2021. In only his second season, he led the Pilgrims to promotion, as champions, from League One to the Championship.

Despite being linked with other managerial vacancies, most recently with Sunderland, the 39-year-old has made it clear that he is happy where he is. "I'm in the perfect place", he said. "I'm learning all the time, I'm making mistakes, I'm getting better at making decisions and tactically getting better." Commenting on the speculation about a move to the Stadium of Light, he continued: "It's part and parcel of it, you sort of get used to it, and as I have said before it's a good thing because it shows you are doing something right. I'm still only young. I have been a manager for two years, there is no rush for me to move anywhere. I'm in a brilliant place."

Despite a spirited performance, Argyle U-18s fell to a narrow defeat by Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Youth Cup at Home Park.

Palace took an early lead on 10 minutes, through George King. Argyle came close but it wasn't until stoppage time in the first half that their efforts paid off--a pass from Freddie Issaka finding Caleb Roberts who put the ball under Eastwood, the Palace 'keeper, and into the net.

After the break, the young Pilgrims were on the front foot for much of the time but were unable to find a second goal. From 70 minutes on, Palace increased their pace and, in the 80th minute, from a short corner, were rewarded with their--and King's second. Argyle pressed but, despite hitting the bar in added time, were unable to find the equaliser.

Lead coach, Jamie Lowry, expressed his disappointment: "I think we did enough to potentially win the game, or at least take it to extra-time. It's a big learning curve. We want to win games of football no matter who we are playing against and we didn't tonight. It's a different experience for them to learn from and grow, and they will probably take away a lot more from these types of games and this situation than they will do from a normal Saturday league game. We reiterate to them that every time we are here it's to learn and develop, and become better."

5th

As part of Argyle's community outreach, some 243 youngsters from across the region joined players, coaching staff and Pilgrim Pete for the Christmas Cracker Road Show at Manadon Sports and Community Hub. The team signed photos and merchandise, posed for photos and played small-sided games.

Argyle Women have signed goalkeeper, Lily Felgate, who has progressed through the Argyle pathway.

4th

Argyle have announced that the planning application to develop the under-utilised Brickfields site in Devonport has now been submitted to Plymouth City Council.

The £21 million project will see the wholesale redevelopment of Brickfields to provide an exciting range of community and sport facilities.

Proposals include: an improved suite of playing areas with three grass football pitches, and replacing an existing grass rugby training pitch with a new 3G pitch. A new purpose-built Academy building, including classrooms for scholars, office space for Academy staff, changing rooms, a gym, and a parents' lounge will also be created. There will be a new, floodlit 3G football pitch and a new, covered 3G football pitch, and two Play Zones exclusively for public use

The site will also become the permanent home of the Argyle Women's first-team.

Argyle's Chief Executive, Andrew Parkinson, said: "Bringing this project to planning application submission stage is down to the hard work and dedication of all the stakeholders involved in this project, which I'd like to personally thank them all for.

"This is a huge milestone in the club's history, and hot off the press following the announcement of our new mission and five-year plan which we shared last week. The prospect of a permanent home for our academy is vital if we want to attract, retain and develop the region's best young talent.

"The proposal will also provide significant benefit for the Devonport community, allowing the Argyle Community Trust to use redeveloped facilities to manage a thriving community hub, providing members of the public with access, support, and equipment to reduce health inequalities and promote wellbeing."

Luke Cundle and Kaine Kesler-Hayden have both been included in the @LowerTiers Championship Team of the Week for their performances against Stoke on Saturday.

3rd

Manager, Steven Schumacher, expressed his delight at Argyle's victory over Stoke City yesterday, and particularly at Adam Randell's last-minute goal.

"It's fairy-tale stuff," said a beaming Schumacher, after the game. "It was a brilliant, brilliant way to end the game. We've been on the wrong end of a few of those last-minute goals this season and they're a killer. I feel a bit for Stoke because they've worked hard to stay in the game and probably thought they'd got a point. Thankfully they didn't; thankfully Adam stuck it in the net."

Schumacher also praised the contribution of the subs. "To come back from behind is so important. It's going to happen again throughout the season. We were brilliant last year at that, and one of the main reasons was for that was because the subs made a huge impact - and they did that today. All five lads that came on a pitch were excellent."

The win means that Argyle have collected six points from a possible nine since the most recent international window. For Schumacher, this means a hugely positive week as Argyle continue their season-long ambition of staying in the division. He said: "Four points from three games [would have been] good. It's what we need when we're in the part of the division that we're in, but to get six points is brilliant. It gives everybody more belief that we can keep competing in this division.

Argyle have drawn Sutton United at Home Park in the third round of this season's FA Cup - a team they have never played. Fifty-six League places separate the two sides.

2nd

Plymouth-born Adam Randell marked his 100th game for the Greens by scoring his first goal at Home Park - the 97th-minute winner in the 2-1 defeat of Stoke City. In the same match, goalkeeper, Michael Cooper, notched up his 150th appearance.

Three Argyle players have avoided the threat of a one-match suspension. Bali Mumba, Kaine Keller-Hayden and Dan Scarr have each been booked four times this season. A fifth yellow card for any of them would have led to them automatically missing the game against league-leaders, Leicester City, on 9 December. The five-card amnesty which kicks in after 19 games, means that any future yellow will not result in a ban.

Adam Randell celebrated a century of Pilgrim appearances with a dramatic last-gasp winner to take all three points as Argyle beat Stoke City 2-1 at a frosty Home Park. Stoke had grabbed the lead on 23 minutes, Tyrese Campbell firing the visitors in front, but Mustapha Bundu replied with a fine finish on the stroke of half-time. The Greens largely controlled the second period without creating that one big chance but it all changed when substitute Randell rifled home from 15 yards after a spell of stoppage time pressure had created mayhem in the Stoke box.

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

Today marks the first anniversary of Argyle's successful Evergreen scheme. The initial target of 4,000 members has been well surpassed: currently the number stands at almost 6,000.

Former BBC football correspondent, Mike Ingham MBE, who is a devoted Argyle fan, has agreed to become Evergreen's first custodian. His role will be formally unveiled in the New Year.

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