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Greens on Screen started its life in 1999 before many of the football sites that we are familiar with today, including Plymouth Argyle's own official site. Greens on Screen is dedicated to the sights, sounds and history of Plymouth Argyle Football club. It is owned and run by the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive, a charity dedicated to the promotion, preservation, and display of the heritage of our great football club.

The site owes its existence to Steve Dean.Without Steve's dedication and commitment for over 25 years, GoS would not exist and be the valued and loved resource for all football fans that it is today. The site is truly the envy of many clubs, and we owe a huge debt to Steve for his tireless work, and continued support behind the scenes.

Greens on Screen's first page was published in January 1999. Its early purpose was to bring Plymouth Argyle a little closer to those unable to see their team, and whilst it has changed a great deal over the years, its core themes - sights and sounds for Westcountry exiles - still stand. The site was very lucky to take on the content of Trevor Scallan's Semper Viridis in the summer of 2007, and in 2009 launched GoS-DB, a wealth of facts and figures from PAFC's history. A year later, we embarked on a complete history of Argyle, with much-valued contributions from chapter authors. Greens on Screen was taken over by its new custodians, The Argyle Archive, in 2024.

Greens on Screen is an amateur website and proud of it. It is run by a team of volunteers from the Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive (Argyle Archive). Without the hard work and much-valued contributions of these volunteers, running the site would not be possible. Greens on Screen is self-taught and as a result, a little bit quirky.

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GoS's sole aim is to be a service to fellow supporters, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate Argyle's history for many years to come.

Plymouth Argyle Heritage Archive.
April 2024

THE DAILY DIARY

A Round-up of Argyle News

Argyle News Sites:

Greens on Screen's Daily Diary is a compilation of Argyle news, with help from these and other Argyle-related sites.

Plymouth Argyle FC

The Herald

Western Morning News

News Now

On This Day:

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

Monday 27th February 2023

The club have announced the sad passing of former Argyle Director, Colin Sexstone, aged 74. A former RAF Group Captain, Sexstone joined the club on a non-executive basis to support then owner James Brent with rebuilding Argyle post-administration, leaning on his decades of experience in sports governance - including Chief Executive Officer roles at home-town club Bristol City and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

26th

After Argyle's disappointing 5-2 defeat at Peterborough United on Saturday, captain Joe Edwards had a message for the Green Army: thank you for backing us. Argyle will have an opportunity to react to the defeat at Home Park next Saturday and Tuesday, against Charlton Athletic and Derby County respectively. The Theatre of Greens has seen Argyle produce blistering home form this campaign, with numerous sold-out attendances reflecting this. Joe said: "We accept the plaudits when we do well, but we know when we haven't performed that criticism can come our way; we fully accept that. Our fans, they're always with us: win, lose or draw. They can be disappointed. Absolutely. So are we, but we know they'll back us. They've clapped us at the end and they're going to be a massive, massive factor in us achieving what we want to achieve this year. At home, we've been brilliant, and that's down to them. Good teams, successful teams don't often lose two in a row, so we need to keep that run going. We're at home. It's a great game for us. We know our home form's fantastic and we need to get that place bouncing and ready for another tough fixture. It's a big game Saturday and we'll love to see there them all again."

Edwards was a second-half substitute at Peterborough, in a game that Argyle trailed by two goals after just 19 minutes. The Greens showed sprit, making it 2-1 through Saxon Earley, and after Posh restored their two-goal advantage, Macaulay Gillesphey scored to half the deficit once again. Even after the hosts made it 4-2, Argyle's litany of chances meant they still looked in the game, but in the end clinical Peterborough ran out 5-2 victors."We're really disappointed," said Joe. "We know we just weren't up to the standards that we've set this season. I think that's the most frustrating thing. On our day we can compete with any team in this league and at this level, but if you don't perform then you get punished. We've got a great bunch of lads who always work hard, give 100%. The gaffer knows he'll always have that. We were sloppy in possession, which teams that we've been playing against thrive upon and they punished us today. We know we're in the thick of it now. We know we need to perform, and we have to keep standards as high as we've set so far. There's no crisis. We never get too high or too low; we've got a good balance amongst the team. We've got a full week now to really focus and plan for the next game."

25th

Argyle suffered a rare afternoon to forget in League One, as they went down to a heavy 5-2 defeat at Peterborough United. The Posh scored twice early, and in quick succession, Jonson Clarke-Harris despatching a penalty and Hector Kyprianou from close range. Saxon Earley gave the Pilgrims a lifeline with one back before the break. Harrison Burrows restored the two-goal advantage, Macaulay Gillesphey quickly had the Greens back in the game, but further goals from Clarke-Harris and Jack Taylor sealed their fate.

Argyle: Burton, Gillepshey (Ennis), Wilson, Butcher (Azaz), Hardie, Cosgrove, Mumba, Lonwijk, Earley (Edwards), Wright (Mayor), Matete (Houghton). Substitutes (not used): Parkes, Bolton.

Steven Schumacher said that not doing the basics was at the heart of Argyle's 5-2 defeat at Peterborough United. The Pilgrims were 2-0 down inside 20 minutes, with Schumacher delving into substitutions just after the half-hour mark, bringing on Danny Mayor and Finn Azaz. The changes seemed to have an effect, with Saxon Earley getting the Greens back in the game. Posh scored again soon after the break, with Argyle again reacting quickly, with Macaulay Gillesphey heading in his first goal of the season, but Peterborough made it 4-2 six minutes later, and although Argyle continued to press to get back in the game, a fifth goal for the home side on 78 minutes effectively ended the contest. "It wasn't good enough," said Schumacher. "We didn't start the game well enough. We were sloppy as a team, didn't defend well enough, lost out in too many second balls and got punished. We conceded two poor goals from not switching on defensively. We responded. The lads showed a good reaction once we made the subs and we got back into the game. At half-time, I said it's still there for us, I felt that we would create more chances, which we did well but in the second half, we conceded poor goals. If you give up as many big opportunities as we did to a team like Peterborough, who have got really good forward players, it's not going to happen for you. We knew that's what happens here. They leave four up front, which means that you have opportunities to break on them and if you look after the ball and you show some quality, you create chances. We did create a few chances; we just didn't take enough of them. The way they leave their players at the top end of pitch, you've got to defend one v one and you've got to make sure you make good decisions and defend with intensity all over the pitch. If you don't do that and you switch off, then you get punished. We got punished five times. We're not going to stand there and go defensive, to try and do damage limitation. We try to get back into the game because I felt there were going to be chances for us. The players kept going. I'm not having to go at their effort; they gave us everything that they had today. But certain aspects of the game, we have got to do better. The fourth goal is a poor giveaway in the middle of midfield for us. It's an easy pass that we should complete, and we don't. It's a disappointing afternoon, but it's something we're have to learn from. One or two performances today weren't quite at the standard of what we've been playing at throughout this whole season. Once we fall below the standard, then that's what happens."

Another large traveling contingent of the Green Army would have been understandably disappointed with the result and performance, but their encouraging reaction towards Schumacher and the dejected players at the final whistle seemed to be a reflection of the fact that, frustrating as this game was, it was only the fifth defeat in 33 for the promotion-chasing Pilgrims, who have a week without a game before facing Charlton Athletic next Saturday. "They've seen that the lads put the effort in again today," said Schumacher. "We just didn't play well enough on both sides of the ball. I'm not going to overreact. We've still taken seven points out the last four games. One point here would have given us the right points total that we need, on the points-per-games, to get promoted and we just fell one short. We've got another tough one next week now, against Charlton. We're going to have to have a reaction from that and make sure that we do the basics right. It just felt as a whole team today, we just didn't do the basics. We won't dwell on it too much because this squad have shown throughout the season that after poor performances or a poor result, we tend to get a reaction. Hopefully we get one next week."

23rd

After the euphoria of Tuesday night's Papa Johns Trophy semi-final victory, Argyle are back to League One action against Peterborough United on Saturday. For manager Steven Schumacher, the Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers just over five weeks away, has to be put temporarily on the back burner so that his side can focus on divisional promotion. "Tuesday night was brilliant; we all enjoyed it," he told Argyle TV. "It was a brilliant night for the club and we'll look forward to Wembley now in April - but there's a lot of games to play in the meantime. We've got at least got six fixtures to play in the run up to that game. It's important that we got the lads back in today and had a conversation about not letting anything distract us. We've got tickets and arrangements to try and sort out in the next few days, but it's business as usual now, back to the league on Saturday. It feels like games get more important as the weeks go by, and that will probably continue to be the case because of what's at stake. The longer we can stay in and around the top of the division, where we are at the moment, more pressure comes on the games, and more excitement comes on the games. We know how important every one is, and that's why our standards have to be right in every single one. We can't afford to drop off and not play with that same level of energy that we have been playing with. We know that if we get that energy and that intensity in the way we play, then we usually get decent results."

Peterborough, managed by Darren Ferguson, in his fourth stint as boss, are ninth in League One, and have been consistently inconsistent. They have drawn just two of their 30 league games, winning four and losing two of their last six. They also possess the division's leading goalscorer, Jonson Clarke-Harris, who has 16 league strikes to his name. "One thing's always pretty much guaranteed when you play them is that they play exciting attacking football," said Schumacher. They've always got goals in the team. They've got Jonson Clarke-Harris who plays up front, who is the leading goalscorer in the division at the moment. We try and give our defenders as much information as we can about the players they're playing against and do our best to figure out a way to try to stop them. Saturday will be a challenge because not only have Peterborough got Clarke-Harris, they've got one or two others as well that can hurt you. Every time you go and play them they cause you defensive problems. In our last two fixtures, we've had all of the ball, and all of the pressure. We're going to have to do some defending on Saturday for sure. We need to make sure we're right on that and then hurt Peterborough, if we can, when we've got the ball."

Schumacher continues to have a large squad of players to choose from, and this was further bolstered by Brendan Galloway making a playing return during Tuesday's win. Bali Mumba missed that game, but has recovered for the Posh trip, although Adam Randell's absence will continue. "Adam Randell won't be available for Saturday," said Schumacher. " He's still got that issue with his ankle sprain. Bali Mumba will be available; he wasn't available for Tuesday, but he'll be okay for this game. Everybody else is pretty much okay. Tuesday took a lot out of everybody, energy-wise, so we need to make sure everyone trains properly tomorrow and we'll go from there, to try to pick a team that can be stronger at Peterborough, to put in a good performance that gets as a result. It was brilliant to see Brendan Galloway back in absolutely on Tuesday night. He played for just over an hour and it's good to have him back. He's another player who was in the squad and ready to go. Mickel Miller's getting stronger with every game he plays, and there was a couple who couldn't play on Tuesday night. It's a good place to be in and as long as we can keep everyone healthy and keep everybody motivated - which I'm sure they all will be, because they all know what's at stake - I'll have these tough decisions from now to the end of the season."

Should Ryan Hardie be selected to begin Saturday's game away to Peterborough United, he will be starting for the 100th time for Argyle. Add to that another 49 appearances from the bench, and it will not be long until it is the Stranraer-born forward's 150th appearance in all. "It feels like the time's flown by since I've been here," he told Argyle TV. "One hundred starts for this club, it's going to be a special one for me. Whether it comes on Saturday or it comes a week after, it's going to be one I look forward to. As soon as I got down there and had the taste of it, it was somewhere that I wanted to play a lot of football. It's the most I've played for a club by a long stretch, and it's come quickly. It's nearly 150 in all, so to play so many games for one club, it's something that I'm definitely proud of. I'm looking forward to hitting that milestone. It's something that I never envisioned. When I did sign here, it was only a loan deal for six months. To go on and make that achievement is going to be one that I'm very proud of and definitely my family's proud of it. There's been a lot of people here lately. To make 100 appearances for this club, it's going to be a special one for me."

He also has a nice record against Peterborough, scoring the second goal in a 2-0 Argyle victory at Home Park early this season, and bagging two in a 4-0 victory at Posh in last season's Carabao Cup. Ryan said: "To be honest, I don't even remember the first game against them this season. I don't remember last week! It is something that I'll think of: if I scored here, then it's about repetition and doing it again. I go into every game hoping that I'll score. I'm confident that I'll scoring in every game. I've got a good record against Peterborough. I've played a few games in a row which helps for momentum and a bit of rhythm. I feel like I'm improving every year. This year, we're playing a lot of different formations and there's a lot of changes in the team, so it's been one that we're all adjusting to and I think we've all settled into it pretty well. Everybody buys into what the managers planned this year. We all knew there were going to be changes in January when we strengthened. We've all got the same end goal, which is promotion at the end of the year. If you're not happy, I think you're going to struggle because there's always somebody waiting to take your jersey who is happy and who is ready to go. It's been an exciting season so far. The semi-final win has given us a bit of excitement, a bit of a taster about what is to come. If that's what happens when we get to the final of the Papa Johns, then what's going to happen if we do get promoted? It's something that's just given us an extra kick, an extra buzz to get ourselves going again and just carry that form into the rest of the season."

21st

Three remarkable penalty saves in succession from Callum Burton booked Argyle a place at Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy Final after a dramatic shoot-out at Home Park. The penalties were a traditional rollercoaster but Burton was brilliant, somehow digging out a hat-trick of saves to give the Green Army a dream trip to the home of English football. Before the shoot-out saga, Cheltenham had grabbed a lead against the run of play when Alfie May fizzed a low drive into the corner early in the second half, but Ryan Hardie levelled with a magnificent finish just past the hour.

Argyle: Burton, Bolton, Houghton, Wilson, Butcher (Matete), Edwards, Mayor, Ennis (Hardie), Miller (Wright), Azaz, Galloway (Gillesphey). Substitutes: Parkes, Cosgrove, Waine.

After the penalty shoot-out win against Cheltenham Town, the overriding feeling for manager Steven Schumacher was pride. Pride at how his team played, and their achievement. Pride at knowing he is shortly to become only the third of the 37 permanent managers in Argyle history to lead a team out at Wembley Stadium. And pride at doing it for the Green Army. "That result is for our fans," he said, "They're the best fans in the country, in my opinion, for how far we've got to travel. We sell out every away game. This day at Wembley is for them. It feels incredible. There were stages there tonight where I thought this isn't going to be our night. For us to get there for only the third time in the club's history; it's amazing to be only the third manager to lead this team out there at Wembley Stadium. It's something I'm just so incredibly proud of."

There were times where a day out under the arch did not seem destined to be Argyle's. After the Pilgrims dominated the first half, but found visiting goalkeeper Luke Southwood impassable, Alfie May put Cheltenham into the lead. Argyle equalised with a stunning Ryan Hardie goal, and looked the more likely side to find a winner, but Southwood continued to be impressive, and Sam Cosgrove saw an effort clang against the post. Kicks from the penalty mark was the only way the game could be settled. After Callum Burton made two stops, Argyle having missed one spot-kick when Finn Azaz hit the post, Jordan Houghton had a chance to clinch the tie. He struck over, via the crossbar, but Burton saved from May, and it was the Greens who booked their place in the final. "It was pretty much a carbon copy of Saturday's game against Fleetwood Town," said Schumacher. "I felt we played really well, passed the ball well, had 70% possession at half-time and at the end of the game. If we'd have scored in the first half, it's a different game. When you have to commit so many bodies forward because all the opposition defend, then you're always open to a counter-attack and it just takes one mistake. That's what happened for their goal. Credit to the players once again: we've made changes, they responded, we changed our shape again, and we've gone on to score an equaliser - what a goal Ryan Hardie scored. It was such a great goal and got us back in the tie. I thought Sam Cosgrove was really unlucky with his chance that whacked the post. I'm just so pleased with how we played. A penalty shoot-out is a bit of a lottery, but on the balance of it I think we deserve to go through. Southwood played really well. We've scored two from outside the box against him this season already, and we felt we could get our shots away, but everything we threw at him tonight he had an answer for. He made a great save down low against Finn Azaz and a one-v-one against Mickel Miller where he did really well. It was going to take something special to beat him. In that position there's only Ryan Hardie that could dream up trying to execute that finish."

The penalty shoot-out was the third Argyle have encountered in the Papa Johns Trophy this season, winning them all. Schumacher said penalty competitions are a regular fixture in training sessions, with Burton typically being the one to face the barrage of 12-yarders. Talk about practise paying off. Schumacher said: "The lads practise penalties, and we say you've got to take your 'match-day pens'. Everyone's got to be ready to step up on a normal league game and be ready to take a pen, so they practise every day and they're confident at it. That was the message to them from me: Just be confident, pick a spot, be positive and strike it clean. We hit the post and the bar with the two that we missed, but apart from that, I couldn't really complain too much about the pens. Callum Burton is incredible at them. He's had a lot of practise. The takers practise them every day and Callum, being the back-up goalkeeper for the last 18 months, he's the one who's tries to save them. He's got an incredible record right throughout his career, even before he came to Argyle, so he's confident that he's good at them. Thankfully he's got us into Wembley."

Goalkeeper Callum Burton and goalkeeping coach Darren Behcet knew that there was a strong likelihood of a penalty shoot-out to conclude Argyle's semi-final tie with Cheltenham Town, and prepared accordingly. The pair went through Cheltenham's squad of likely penalty takers, and decided in advance which way, if at all, Burton would dive should he face them. "I don't really want to be in this many penalty shoot-outs!" claimed Burton, after playing a part in the third shoot-out victory for Argyle in the competition this season. "It's something we prepare for, especially in this cup with it going straight to pens. We've already had two this season, so we knew that it was a possibility and they made it tough for us to be fair. They made it hard all night, just like they did in the fixture at their place and here in the league, so we knew that it could come down to it. "As a goalie department, we always take pride in looking at the penalties and making sure that if it goes down to those fine margins then we're prepared, we can look back at it and say we did our research. Ultimately, tonight, it's paid off. Yesterday we went through all the penalties. We like to choose a way the day before, because – just the same as if you're taking a penalty - if you're trying to save it you've got to go with conviction. By doing that little bit, it might give you an extra millisecond to get down to a pen. To be fair, the first two were really good pens. So were the others, but they went the same way that we thought they would on every one. Law of averages, you're going to get to a few. Credit to Daz; he takes big pride in it as well.

The win was sealed in front of over 12,000 inside Home Park, and Burton reckons that the atmosphere the Green Army generated, during the game and during the penalties, may have tipped the scales in the Pilgrims' favour. "I think it's one of the hardest places to come," he said. "Credit to the fans that came out in numbers today. The way they supported us tonight was amazing. It gives you that extra per cent; it gets in their head when they're taking penalties. It helps us out. They definitely played a part tonight. I've never been to Wembley as a player, so for me, and all that lads who haven't, I think it's going to be special. It's the day out, the weekend out for everybody associated to the club: the fans, the players, the staff. It's something that you're lucky if you get once in your career. I know we'll take numbers there and sell out our allocation. I've got no doubt about that. It's going to be a brilliant day - I can't wait already for it."

20th

Steven Schumacher has said that he will prepare his team for Tuesday night's Papa Johns Trophy semi-final against Cheltenham Town as if were a regular league fixture. Mainly, he says, because that is the only way he knows how. "I've never been in a semi-final before, so I wouldn't know how to go about any different!" he said. "We've done the same routine of what we would've done for a league game. We've debriefed Saturday's game; went over a few things. We got the lads out for a recovery session, and the lads who needed to do a bit extra did so. Tuesday, we'll go through the detail on the screen of the pressing triggers. I've watched the game back from the last time we played Cheltenham. It's a team that we know a lot about and we've played against before, but we still need to make sure we're prepared as best as we can be."

Argyle's two games against Cheltenham in Sky Bet League One have both ended in Pilgrims victories. At Cheltenham, on Boxing Day, Argyle won 1-0, and just three weeks later, the sides met at Home Park, with the Greens running out 4-2 victors. Six points from six, but Schumacher knows that both games were close, and far from formalities. Indeed, the away game saw Town miss a glorious late chance, and at Home Park it was 3-2 before Sam Cosgrove sealed it with seven minutes remaining. Schumacher said: "If we learned anything from the other two games against Cheltenham this season it is that they are really tight games. The first one, when we beat them at their place was close. We could have drew that in the last minute when they had a big chance. The game here was close. We couldn't seem to get away from them, but we managed to, just about, in the end. We know we're going to be in for a tough game. It's not going to be easy, and we're going to have to be at our very best."

On Monday morning, advance ticket sales for the game passed the 10,000 mark. The Trophy is tournament that generates the lowest crowds of the season, generally, but the lure of a semi-final and the potential prize beyond has proved hard to resist. Schumacher is delighted with the turnout, as he believes Argyle's excellent home record in 2022/23 correlates with the backing the team has received all season. "It's brilliant that we've got over 10,000," he said. "Hopefully we can get a few more, we can get it to close to 11,000. The more people we have in this stadium, the better the atmosphere is and the better the atmosphere then that really does give the players some energy and belief. It's brilliant that the semi-final is here and we managed to generate that type of crowd. Hopefully we can go and perform for them. It's been a competition that's taken a while for the fans to get behind, but the fans can all see what the prize is and I'm sure if we get through, I'm sure we would sell probably slightly more than 10,000 for Wembley, I would guess. I'm excited. It feels good, doesn't it? Saying 'the semi-final'. A semi-final for anything is always exciting, but a semi-final for a cup competition where the final's played at Wembley: it doesn't get much better than that. You don't get many opportunities as a player, as a coach or a manager, to go to Wembley Stadium. I am so proud to be in a semi-final, and obviously it's a game that we're desperate to win. For Argyle to say we got to Wembley for only the third time in the club's history - to be part of that history would be brilliant. The prize is lucrative and we want to get there, desperately. If we get there, it'd be a special occasion, but first we've got to work really hard to beat Cheltenham."

Ben Waine, a New Zealand international, appreciates the place that Wembley Stadium holds in the football firmament of this country. He is hoping to play a part in taking Argyle, who by virtue of being second in League One are the highest-ranked team in the final four, back to play under the famous arch. "It's a very nice spot to be in," Ben told Argyle TV. "We're doing well in the league and we've just got to quickly shift the focus, but it's the same kind of mindset in the end. "It's a literally a one-off game where we could be at Wembley; pretty crazy to think about. In New Zealand, Wembley isn't talked about as much, but growing up in an English family, we'd see the FA Cup, Wembley, the play-offs and whatnot. I understand the history. I went on a Wembley tour when I was 10 years old or something like that. That's the closest I've been."

Waine played a huge part in getting Argyle to this point. In the quarter-finals, Argyle met Bristol Rovers, and defeated the Gas 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium. The game saw Waine get his first start in an Argyle shirt and, after 24 minutes, bag his first goal too, with an excellent looping header. In truth, he could have had more, but his goal, plus Ryan Hardie's effort was enough to steer the Pilgrims into the last four, and Ben looks back fondly on that game, as something that assisted his settling-in process having moved halfway around the world to join Argyle. "I was obviously quite nervous," he said. "It was my first start and I was just really going off complete adrenaline to be honest. I felt like I was running around like a bit of a headless chicken. But I got that goal and it was one of the best feelings, I feel like it helped me settle in a lot more. Don't get me wrong, I was also disappointed because I should have had probably three or four and that plays on the back of your mind. To be involved that quickly and help out where I could, I was happy with how it went."

Waine has played six times for Argyle – two starts and four substitute appearances – and already has played in some big games. He came off the bench in draws at Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town, as well as starting a game at Sheffield Wednesday which, coming up against experienced defender Aden Flint, was the proverbial baptism of fire for Ben in his first League One start. "That Sheffield Wednesday game, coming up against Flint, was an eye opener," said Waine. "Not in a bad way, but in a really good way because it gave me the opportunity to think: right, this guy is one of the better defenders in the league. If I want to be one of the better players in the league, then I've got to be able to compete with him and possibly not be so naive that thinking I'm there just yet. I think I've been lucky. I've been involved with some really big games. My first league game was Bolton, then I played in Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich. I've been chucked in at the deep end, but don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want it any other way. It really kind of opened my eyes to what football's like over here and the standard of the top League One teams and decent championship teams would be like. "I always knew it was going to be a challenge; don't get me wrong about that. Regardless of where you play, there's always going to be ups and downs. Up until about two weeks ago, I don't think I'd settled in completely, but now I've moved into my apartment, and I think it's now just getting into the normal rhythm of things. When I first arrived, everything was like a hundred miles. You're constantly on cloud nine, with everything going on and everything being new, you kind of forget about everything in the background. Now I've kind of started to settle in, it's not that I'm on a low or anything like that, but everything's slowed down a little bit more. It's now not putting too much pressure on myself; I need to understand that it's going to take time for myself as well. I'm in a better place than I was before, and I'm ready to kick on."

Curiously, Ben's only Home Park appearance until now was in the league, against Cheltenham Town, when Argyle won 4-2. Prior to that, the Greens won 1-0 at Cheltenham on Boxing Day. Having done the league double over the Robins, Argyle will understandably be favourites, but Waine sounded a note of caution about over-confidence on that score, while also saying how much he is looking forward to what could potentially be a special night. "There's two ways of looking at it," he said. "There's an advantage in that we've played them twice and we've done reasonably well, then there's also the possibility that a little bit of complacency could slip in. "I don't think that will happen, but at the end of the day, I think that's probably cleared from our minds because it's a one-off game. Anybody can get up for a one-off game, so it's going to be a challenge. They're going to be the same as us; they want to go to Wembley super bad. I think it would be special for the fans to be involved in potentially being part of that journey as well, and I'm sure they're thinking the same. As much support as possible would be, would be pretty nice. To have a pretty much full Home Park on a Tuesday night would be pretty spectacular.

19th

Macaulay Gillesphey stressed the many positives to be taken from the encounter with Fleetwood Town after the sides played out Argyle's second 0-0 draw of their League One campaign. Despite dropping down to second in the table, the draw meant the Greens further cemented their position in the automatic promotion places with an eight-point cushion to nearest rivals Ipswich Town. In a scrappy encounter that saw Argyle dominate for large periods, it was in the game's final minutes that the Pilgrims looked most likely to break the deadlock. Bali Mumba forced an excellent, save from Town keeper Jay Lynch and Matt Butcher fired narrowly over from the resulting corner. Gillesphey himself would also shoot over in the dying seconds, and was keen to emphasise the importance of context with a result that extended Argyle's outstanding home record of just a solitary defeat in 16 home league games. "It's not bad at all," he said. "We can't win them all. Home Park is a tough place to come and play for away teams, the crowd always get behind you. I think every home game you've got to go out there and try and score early. We've just tried to stay patient and to keep moving the ball as fast we could. But it's just one of those days we couldn't take our chances."

No doubt hindered by the difficult, drizzly conditions that seemed to affect both sides' ability to transition the ball into the final third, it was naturally the team's defensive performance that Macaulay was especially proud of. Callum Burton, deputising for Michael Cooper following his season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered two weeks ago, made a number of telling contributions, most notably when he smothered the ball from Jack Marriott to prevent Fleetwood from becoming the only side to win both their league matches against Argyle following August's 2-1 defeat at Highbury Stadium. Gillesphey said: "We defended very well; from the front as well, the strikers too. It's obviously good for Callum Burton to get his first clean sheet. I'm buzzing for him."

18th

Argyle had to settle for a rare goalless draw when they hosted Fleetwood Town this afternoon. Argyle tried everything and Fleetwood stopped everything on an afternoon where the Pilgrims were unable to find the key to unlock a determined defence. The game lacked clear chances throughout and, while the Greens huffed and puffed until the final minute, credit to the visitors for holding firm in front of a packed and expectant Green Army.

Argyle: Burton, Gillesphey, Houghton (Butcher), Wilson, Edwards (Mumba), Hardie (Ennis), Azaz (Cosgrove), Lonwijk, C Wright, Matete, T Wright (Miller). Substitutes (not used): Parkes, Bolton.

Frustrating is how Steven Scumacher described the Fleetwood match, a game in which Argyle dominated a first half, had numerous chances to take the lead, but just could not find a way through. After the break, Argyle stayed on the front foot, but were worn down by an organised and persistent Fleetwood team, who earned their point on the road. Argyle's point means that they have accumulated seven points from a possible nine in the last eight days, this draw added onto 3-1 wins against Portsmouth and Oxford United. "Frustrating," underlined Schumacher. "I thought we played really well, especially in the first half, the way we passed the ball. The energy that we played with forced Fleetwood into a few mistakes. We created three or four really big chances. If we showed a bit more quality and took one of our chances, then the game's different. Credit to Fleetwood, they dug in, stuck in there and defended well. I felt everything that we threw at them, they blocked or the keeper made a save. We wanted to try to play at a good speed and a good tempo early on in the game because, it's a tough place to come and if we get our crowd right behind us – I thought the crowd were brilliant today - it's hard to play against us. It just wasn't our day in front of goal. We've had loads of possession, loads of shots, but not enough on target, which probably tells the story. Fleetwood are no mugs, especially away from home. Five of their eight wins in the league this year have come away from home. They drew with Ipswich. They came here organised and make it hard for you. They defended really well, put bodies on the line and did a good job. It happens. If someone had said to me, at the start of last week, you'll take seven points in the game week, I'd have taken it. It's not the end of the world. We're not going to win every single game. We know that. We move on to the next one."

A big positive from the game was an appearance from the bench by Niall Ennis, who had missed the previous four games with injury. Ennis was one of five substitutes brought on to effect change in the pattern of play, and between him and fellow sub Bali Mumba, they were at the heart of probably Argyle's best two efforts in the second period. Schumacher said: "Niall probably should have hit the target with the one that was on his left foot. If he had hit the target, that goes in because the goalkeeper was rooted. It was nice to have him back. He's been missing for a month, he trained for the last couple of days and looked sharp. Twenty minutes is probably enough for him today, and we'll try to get him some more minutes, hopefully on Tuesday. It is good to have him back. Everybody who started did well in the game. Tyreik Wright did well. The impact that we usually get from the subs probably wasn't as dramatic today. We didn't get that energy, that spark and that little bit of quality that we've seen so many times, although Bali Mumba nearly scored another worldie."

A crowd of 16,108 watched the game inside Home Park. Subtracting Fleetwood's contingent of 107, this means the Green Army totalled 16,001, and they tried to play their part, especially in the second period, roaring on their players to look for the winning goal. That goal did not come, but it was through no lack of effort. Schumacher expressed his appreciation for the fans' support, and said that the commitment on display made soften any disappointment at the result. "They are brilliant and they stuck with us to clap the players off," said Schumacher. "Some people will comment and say the odd negative thing, cause that's what some people do. In the main, everyone can see that the lads tried, gave 100% today. The fans stuck with us, so thanks for that. I'm sure if we play as well as that again here, then we've got enough firepower in the squad to score the goals and take the chances that we create."

17th

Argyle and Babcock International Group have joined forces for a three-year Community Connection partnership, which will see Babcock play a leading role in supporting combined Argyle and Argyle Community Trust activity in the South West. The partnership is underpinned by naming rights for the Devonport End at Home Park, which, of course, takes its name from the region of the city which houses HM Naval Base Devonport, the largest naval base in Western Europe, and a cornerstone of the local economy for generations. The partnership is the first of its kind for Argyle, and is as much a symbol of the club's ever-growing reputation for social action as it is for on-field success. In addition to naming rights for the Babcock Devonport End, the international defence company will anchor an agenda of community engagement, including the annual Community Cup, Christmas food hamper deliveries, and community connection programme. The suite of activities will see Babcock enable additional Argyle Community Trust activity in 15 Plymouth schools per year, tailoring a programme of physical, educational and social activities towards communities who need them most, with an additional 450 children engaged with every calendar year. The alignment of Argyle's Values with those of Babcock paved the way for the agreement, with both organisations being integral to the overall economic and cultural wellbeing of the city of Plymouth and surrounding region.

James Greenacre, Argyle's Head of Commercial Operations, said: "We are delighted to have brought this partnership to life – it has taken a great deal of commitment from all sides to come to this point and it is a tremendously exciting partnership. Babcock is a company with a substantial global impact and it is credit to everyone at the club – and the Argyle Community Trust – that Argyle has become the sort of community club that can attract such partnerships. We know that Babcock's commitment to making a positive impact in the local community matches our own. As a partnership, we can take that good work even further."

James Smith, Senior Programme Manager at Devonport, said: "As a major employer in the region, we have a strong connection to our local community and the area in which many of our people live and work. Supporting our local community firmly aligns with our long-term commitment to the area and we are pleased to be joining forces with Plymouth Argyle to deliver a range of community engagement and connection activities."

14th

It was far from pretty at times but Argyle dug deep to beat Oxford United 3-1 and secure three more massive points to the cause, largely thanks to a debut goal from Saxon Earley midway through the second half. A cool finish by Matt Butcher had given the Greens a deserved lead on 19 minutes before Oxford levelled with a Cameron Brannagan free-kick on the stroke of half-time. The second half was a scrap and, perhaps fittingly, Earley's decisive effort was a scruffy prod from a set-piece, but just as important as any Pilgrim goal this season. Ryan Hardie added last-minute gloss to the win with a sweeping finish into the corner.

Argyle: Burton, Gillepshey, Wilson, Butcher, Hardie, Cosgrove (Waine), Mumba (Edwards), Azaz (C Wright 66), Lonwijk, Earley (Bolton), Matete (Houghton). Substitutes (not used): Parkes, Mayor.

13th

On Tuesday night, Argyle head to Oxford United in League One, in the midst of a particularly busy run of fixtures. The trip to the Kassam Stadium is one of three midweek games in four weeks, on top of regular Saturday matches. Argyle began this recent spate of fixtures with a 3-1 win over Portsmouth at Home Park in which manager Steven Schumacher heavily rotated his squad, making eight changes to his previous starting line-up. Any raised eyebrows were soon lowered by the result and performance as Argyle moved back to the top of the table, and speaking to Argyle TV on Monday morning, Schumacher explained the rotation, citing the desire to keep as many players at peak condition as a driving factor. "Part of the reasoning of why we made some changes on Saturday was it was our first game of five in 14 days," he said. "It's not possible to play with the same 11 players for five games straight and be able to play with the intensity that we need to for us to play well and get results. It's so good to have a strong squad to choose from. It was good to get Mickel Miller minutes. He's been out for so long and I thought he played really well for an hour. We're going to have to manage his body and make sure that he's right for the next time he's available. That's the same with everybody we need. It's that balance of getting the team that's going to go on and have a chance of winning the game, but also getting everybody physically right so that when they play, they're ready. That's not only just my job, that's the performance team's job as well, to make sure everyone's fit, firing and raring to go when they get the opportunity. We have a constant measure on the data: on the training loads and game loads. It's a tricky job, but it's one you just try your best on. Sometimes you need a little bit of luck. Sometimes you need players just to get into a rhythm and into a bit of a flow. That's just part of the constant battle through the week of keeping an eye on everything as much as you can, the detail, which probably sounds a bit boring. With new players coming, since January we've gone back to: 'look, this is how we do things.' We've gone through some attacking patterns of play unopposed, so you can work on the detail. We've gone through out-of-possession stuff where you need to go around every player and make sure that they're taking on the information. I sat with Jay Matete last week. He's been a brilliant player and everyone's seen him, but there's still little details in his game, in the way we defend, the way we play that he has just got to get right. That's our job, that's the battle from that side of it to make sure everybody understands what they're doing."

Over the past three seasons, Karl Robinson's Oxford have finished fourth, sixth and eighth in the league, but are finding things tougher this season. United are 16th in the division, with 36 points from their 31 games. They took the notable scalp of high-flying Ipswich Town in mid-January, but lost four in a row after that, then drew 1-1 with Milton Keynes Dons at the weekend. When Oxford came to Home Park earlier in the campaign, Argyle won 1-0. In fact, the Pilgrims have won the last three meetings between the sides, including a 3-1 victory at the Kassam last season.

"I think everyone's surprised to see where Oxford are in the league because they've been one of the stronger teams in the division for years under Karl and their staff," said Steven. "They always seem to be in and around the playoffs but, this year, for whatever reason, they find themselves in the bottom half of the division unexpectedly. We'd be stupid to take them lightly or think that this is going to be an easy game. They are in the bottom half of the division, but it was only a few weeks ago that they beat Ipswich at home 2-1. I know they're in a bit of a tough run at the moment. They've lost a few on the spin and got a draw on the weekend against MK Dons, but they are still a threat. It was a real tough game here. It was a close game at the start of the season, so I'm sure it'll be the same and they'll be desperate to turn their form around. They've always been a team that can create chances, that always play nice football. They've always got good movement. That's one of the things that stands out about Karl's teams, the rotation that they have throughout the attacking players. That takes a little bit of figuring out about how we're going to press and what we're going to do when we haven't got the ball. Then, obviously, we need to have a plan as well for when we do get the ball. I think there will be times where we might have spells of possession. I remember last time we played there, we defended very well then counter-attacked and scored a couple of times."

Once again, Schumacher will have decisions to make about his selection on Tuesday night. His decisions against Portsmouth were partially informed by injuries ruling out Mike Cooper and Dan Scarr. Niall Ennis also missed out against Pompey, while Adam Randell limped off early in the second half. Schumacher offered an update on Randell and Ennis, while once against extolling the virtues of the strong squad he has put together. "Niall Ennis is back on the grass training," said Schumacher. "He trained Saturday and he's doing a bit today (Monday), so we'll have to have a chat about that one. Adam Randall might be a bit sore. He rolled his ankle a little bit in a tackle, that's why he had to come off. Adam wouldn't come off unless it was a serious injury, so we'll have to have a little look at him today, see how he is. If he's not 100%, then he won't be risked because we have got that squad. We left Jordan Houghton out of the squad on Saturday because we didn't need an extra midfield player, and he's been a brilliant player for us. That's the benefit of having a strong squad; if we do have an injury or a knock, then somebody who's a really good player will step in."

Mickel Miller's time as a Pilgrim has been stop-start to say the least. The exciting wing-back picked up an injury on the eve of the new League One season, meaning his debut did not come until a late substitute appearance at Burton Albion in November. Miller played 45 minutes as a starter in the Papa Johns Trophy and at Cambridge United in the league, either side of another cameo against Port Vale before injury issues flared up once again. Two months later, Miller was somewhat surprisingly named in the starting line-up as Argyle met Portsmouth at Home Park last Saturday, but played 67 minutes, and caught the eye with his direct running. Miller played a part in Argyle's opening goal in a 3-1 win, and was naturally delighted to be back in action. "It was amazing," he said. "Being back around the team and starting; it was a good feeling. I've been training for about three weeks now. I felt good, felt sharp. I thought I was going to blow up earlier! But I felt good. I'm feeling good and feeling positive. Every time I've played, I always thought 'I don't want to feel something at the end.' Being able to get through 67 minutes was positive. I'm feeling good. I know the manager will want to look after me, being out for a while. I've just got to make sure I'm doing the right things, recover well, and be ready for when I get my next opportunity."

Keeping in physical health is one thing, but having injury issues can play havoc with a player's mental health. Mickel talked us through some of the thought processes he experienced after his injury recurrence, and cited the healthy atmosphere and league position among the squad as a boon as he was getting back to fitness. "It is such a mental barrier that you have to overcome and manage," he said. "If you're not careful, you can let it consume you. Being told when you get injured again, you start thinking: 'oh no, I can't help the team.' So many things go through your head: I just want to do well myself; I've just signed; I haven't played many games; fans want to see me play. You have to channel it. When you have good players and good staff around you manage to get through it like a lot easier. If you're coming back into a struggling team, you might get rushed back or you might come back and feel pressure. Obviously, you feel pressure coming back because you want to do well, but the team's doing well, I like seeing everyone do well. That makes everything easier. As well as the boys are doing, they're wanting to see me back as well, so it's a nice feeling."

Miller's elevation to the starting 11 against Portsmouth was one of eight changes to the Argyle side, such is the depth of the Pilgrims' squad. This means selection options for manager Steven Schumacher, but what of the players now competing for a berth in the team? Miller says that among the squad, there is an understanding of Schumacher's task to keep players happy and well-rested where necessary – and says that the harmony among the Argyle dressing room is not typical of every club. "We know that there's loads of competition in the team, but everyone wants to see everyone do well, which is good," Mickel said. "You don't get that everywhere when the squad's that big. I'd say continue trusting what the manager's doing. Sometimes like when you get rotated - he made eight changes - people might be thinking: 'what's going on?' But when you have that option to bring eight fresh players in, it's a good option to have. One comes in and another comes out and it doesn't change anything. It's a good thing to have in our squad and it's working. I feel like the boys are sticking together, being with each other on and off to pitch is very important, because we're going to need everyone. I can only describe it from like a wing-backs view; I'm close to Joe [Edwards] and Bali [Mumba], we have a good connection with each other. If one's playing, another one's encouraging, telling him what he's done well and what he could have done. We're constantly just trying to push each other even though someone's in your position playing ahead of you. You can't ask for like a better group to have."

12th

Argyle legend Jack Leslie - the first Black player ever to be called up by England - was posthumously inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame at London Stadium ahead of West Ham United's Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Saturday. Club Ambassador Ronnie Mauge attended on behalf of Argyle, joining Jack Leslie Campaign founders, and Argyle fans, Matt Tiller and Greg Foxsmith, Leslie's family and a number of football greats to mark an emotional occasion. Born in Canning Town in 1901 to a Jamaican father and English mother, Leslie started his career playing for non-league Barking Town, scoring over 250 goals and winning the London League title, before going on to become a goalscoring great and captain during 14 seasons at Argyle between 1921-35. It was during his time at Home Park, in 1925, that the inside-left received a call-up for England's Home Nations Championship international with Ireland, only for the invitation to be withdrawn because of the colour of his skin. Despite the huge disappointment, Leslie continued to play superbly for the Greens for another decade, scoring 137 goals in 401 games, but he was never selected by England again. A serious eye injury forced him to retire as a professional in 1935 and, after returning to east London and his original trade as a boilermaker in the East India Docks, he worked in the Hammers' boot room in the 1960s and 1970s after being approached by manager Ron Greenwood. He worked with the likes of Bobby Moore, Sir Geoff Hurst, Martin Peters, Sir Trevor Brooking and Billy Bonds before retiring at the age of 82. He died in 1988, aged 87.

With his story little known, the Jack Leslie Campaign was founded in 2020 by Tiller and Foxsmith to celebrate, shine a light, and serve justice to his career and legacy. Through their tireless community crowdfunding and education efforts, the campaign achieved their six-figure target and saw their ambition of an incredible statue of Jack become reality in October of 2022. With support from Jack's descendants, Argyle, West Ham United, Barking FC and football fans near and far, the Campaign's pursuit of justice saw the FA award Jack a posthumous honorary England cap, 97 years after his original call-up, to coincide with the statue's grand unveiling. On Saturday, just a few miles from his former home in Gerard Road, Canning Town, Leslie was inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame in a pitch side ceremony at London Stadium. There, National Football Museum CEO Tim Desmond presented the award to Jack's three granddaughters, alongside West Ham legends Sir Trevor Brooking and Carlton Cole and the team behind The Jack Leslie Campaign.

Sir Trevor Brooking, West Ham United legend, said: "Jack was a lovely man who would do anything for you, and I am delighted to see him honoured with this special induction into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame. "Jack's story serves as an important reminder of the discrimination that Black players have suffered in years gone by, and it shows how they paved the way for those who followed them to be treated equally and become heroes, judged on their ability and skill rather than the colour of their skin. I'm sure he would be very proud to know that this special honour has been presented at London Stadium, and it is wonderful to have his family and members of the Jack Leslie Campaign here to accept it on his behalf."

Another West Ham United playing hero, Carlton Cole, who attended the unveiling of the statue in Jack's honour at Home Park last year, added: "This is a fantastic way to honour the memory of Jack Leslie. "West Ham United is a Club that is extremely proud of our diverse and inclusive background, something that stretches back for so many years, and Jack will forever be remembered as a key figure in our history. It is very poignant for Jack to receive this honour ahead of a designated Premier League No Room for Racism match as it reinforces a vital message and ensures that younger generations continue to be educated and inspired by his story."

Matt Tiller from the Jack Leslie Campaign said: "We are delighted that fans from across the football community have responded positively to Jack's story, and none more so than fans of Argyle where Jack played professionally and West Ham where Jack was welcomed and still remembered fondly by legends such as Clyde Best and Sir Trevor Brooking. His induction into the NFHM Hall of Fame is a great honour, welcomed by the Campaign and Jack's family."

The National Football Museum Hall of Fame aims to celebrate and highlight the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to football. Judges voted unanimously to induct Leslie in recognition of his stellar career and important story, laying foundations for the ethnically diverse sporting community of the future.

Tim Desmond, Chief Executive of the National Football Museum, said: "In 2019 we relaunched the National Football Museum Hall of Fame to be more representative of stories that are part of the holistic importance and significance of football, rather than just excellence in the sport. Since then, the museum researched stories such as Jack's and many other players that acted as true trailblazers. We are delighted now to induct Jack into the Hall of Fame; he was truly a forerunner and now takes his rightful place amongst the greats of the game."

The Hall of Fame, supported by the Professional Footballers' Association, celebrates the achievements of those who have made an outstanding contribution to the game, either on or off the pitch.

11th

Argyle are back on top of League One and they capped their return with an outstanding 3-1 win to overpower an in-form Portsmouth. Sam Cosgrove scored the only goal of a dominant first period and the Greens were seemingly in control when substitute Finn Azaz steered home a lovely second on 70 minutes. Pompey rallied and set up a tense finish via Reeco Hackett's volley but the Pilgrims stayed composed in defence, and underlined a top display with a fabulous third from Ryan Hardie in the dying seconds.

Argyle: Burton, Gillesphey, Wilson, Butcher, Edwards (Bolton), Hardie, Miller (Mumba), Cosgrove, Randell (Matete), Lonwijk, C Wright (Azaz). Substitutes (not used): Parkes, Mayor, Waine.

When Portsmouth scored with about ten minutes to go in Saturday's game at Home Park, to reduce their deficit to 2-1, Steven Schumacher probably thought he had seen the end to this movie before. Portsmouth have made a habit of scoring dramatic late equalisers against Argyle to create 2-2 draws, but this time, despite sending tall defender Sean Raggett forward and sending balls into Argyle's area, the Greens held out. "I was a bit nervous there for a few minutes, thinking here we go again," Schumacher told Argyle TV. "It feels like every time we play Pompey, that's what happens. They end up launching loads of balls into your box. Raggett comes up and looks like a goal threat. They should start him up front every time they play against us! I was a bit worried, but I thought we played really well. We probably should have scored a couple of more of the chances, but the keeper made a couple of great saves. I'm just glad that we got over the line and got three points that we probably deserved. With the two centre forwards on the pitch - Ryan and Sam – and Callum Wright in behind, he's just class, always seems to pick the right pass. Mikel Miller on one wing, who you know was going to create opportunities for people. With the energy that we had in the team, I felt we would create chances. I felt in the first half it was probably an even game, but we probably created the clear opportunities. Felt we maybe could have had a penalty, but we didn't get it. We ended up going in 1-0, edged it maybe in the first half, and then the second half we started brilliantly, and if we had scored earlier it might have been an easier afternoon, but it took us a while to get the second goal. Then, unfortunately, we conceded from a set play, which makes everyone nervous. Ryan took his goal brilliantly for the third one, and it was game over. Thank God!"

Schumacher made eight changes to the starting 11 that began the previous Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, but if anyone had questioned that call, a victory was all the justification the boss needed. "It shows how strong the squad is" he said. "People might have raised a few eyebrows before the game: 'oh my God, eight changes.' Two of them were enforced, in Michael Cooper and Dan Scarr. There's two changes straight away. The two centre forwards are our leading gold scorers. Mickel Miller is a signing that we've been desperate to get on the pitch. I'm not putting people in here who are unproven. Adam Randall's been one of our most consistent players. Whatever team we pick, first and foremost, they give us everything they've got. I'm comfortable in their ability. Whatever team that we pick, we do it for a reason. I suppose that's what I get paid for. Callum Burton was excellent. He deserved a clean sheet. His distribution was good, his decision-making was really good. We are gutted we've lost Michael, but we've got a brilliant number two, who is now number one. Matt Butcher has come in, I thought he was brilliant. I've had a couple of tough conversations with him in the last few weeks, saying: 'you're missing out on the squad, you're not on the bench.' It really is hard cause he's one of the best trainers at the club. His attitude, the way he is around the lads. He's a brilliant professional. I'm really pleased for Callum, really pleased for Butch, really pleased for Mickel - and everybody who came into the team."

The stage for Callum Burton's first league start for Argyle was perfectly set. The goalkeeper, stepping in for the injured Mike Cooper, took his place in the Argyle line-up against Portsmouth, and was part of a fine performance. For Callum, it was nice to experience the atmosphere from the pitch rather than the bench. He said: "You appreciate the atmosphere when you're on the bench and you see and hear it, but when you're in the middle of it, it's completely different. It was brilliant. I loved every second of it. The result helped massively. It was a great performance. When it went 2-1, I thought 2-2 was going to come back, maybe the fifth or sixth time in recent years. But the lads are brilliant. We should have put it to bed earlier, to be fair. It's nice being at the background to see good performances in front of you, and I think we looked solid throughout. They had spells, but they're going to, because they're a good team in this league. I think we weathered them really well, reduced them to very little chances. As performances go, it's one of the most complete of the season. It was a good day all around."

As soon as the news broke than Mike Cooper's season was over because of his ACL injury, attention turned to Burton, but despite only playing a handful of games since arriving at Argyle in the summer of 2021, 26-year-old Callum has experience of a promotion whilst number one goalkeeper at Cambridge United, and has shown in his appearances in cup action that he is an accomplished stopper. When his name was read out in the team read before the match, his name was met with a roar of encouragement. "The support's been unreal," he said. "I've been getting messages from last Saturday, all the way up until a few hours before the game from every reach of people. I had one from an Argyle fan from America saying: 'good luck from across the pond.' It's such a special fanbase. From the game, the build-up, from everything, you've got the backing of the whole city. Sometimes it can feel like pressure, but it's the pressure you want. You want to have that backing. I've been on the other side of it as well, where you've not got it, so to have the whole city behind you, it's special. It's something that the whole team embraces. We feed off it in the games and it helps us. To have only dropped three points at home all season is a special achievement and I think we can keep it going. There's not many teams that come here and look like they're going to defeat us. Long may it continue."

10th

Ryan Law has joined Yeovil Town on loan for the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old full-back heads off to Somerset to join the Glovers for the rest of their National League season. They are currently 17th in the table. The loan deal is able to happen because although the transfer window for EFL clubs closed at the end of January, for National League clubs the transfer deadline is towards the end of March. Law has made 31 appearances for Argyle, 16 of them starts, and has scored two goals. He spent the first half of the season on loan with League Two side Gillingham, for whom he played 24 times. Kevin Nancekivell, Argyle first-team coach and head of player development, said: "We're really pleased that Ryan has joined Yeovil. They were really keen for Ryan to go there and play. It is an ideal place for him to get some minutes and to continue his development."

9th

When Argyle meet Portsmouth this Saturday, at Home Park, the Pompey manager will only be taking charge of his fifth game as a manager. Since taking over, Mousinho has won two, drawn one and lost one of his four games, which Steven Schumacher says the new boss will be content with. "It's been a good start," said Schumacher. "I would say he's been quite happy with the performances from his team and I'm sure they'll be looking forward and excited to come here because he'll know what's at stake, that it will be a full house - and he'd be ready to get one over on me I'm sure! I'm looking forward to seeing him. We did our pro license together. We've kept in contact. I wished him well when he was first appointed. I said: 'if there's anything I can help you with, let me know.' He still hasn't let me know yet, but I'll only speak to him next week after the game. He's a good lad. I do wish him well, because he's another young coach who's hopefully going to go on to good things in his career. He's one of the most intelligent footballers you'll ever meet. He's got mad, crazy degrees. He was PFA chairman, so they obviously hold him in high regard from that point of view. He's highly educated, well spoken. When he did his interview, I'm sure Portsmouth were impressed with everything he had to say. They are getting to know the new manager. They had an immediate bounce, beating Exeter and Fleetwood, had a tough game against Peterborough, where they were on the wrong end of a result, then had another good performance against Barnsley."

The game will take place in front of a sold-out Home Park, with two teams who are very familiar with each other set to lock horns once again. For fans of both sides, the game will seem important, and while Schumacher understands that feeling, he is trying to ensure that he and his squad treat it like any other. Schumacher said: "It's a huge club in Portsmouth where they're going to sell their away allocation. The fans have come in numbers the last few times we've played them here, and we took a load to Fratton Park this season. From that point of view, the game doesn't need a lot of drumming up, it sells itself. For the players, it probably doesn't need a lot of drumming up either. No game does now, because they all understand what's at stake. We can just carry on with the planning. We go through the detail on every team, no matter who we play. We don't over-analyse one team because they're Portsmouth or because they are Sheffield Wednesday, and under analyse somebody else. We plan as consistently as we possibly can, and hopefully we get consistent performances as well."

Argyle will be without goalkeeper Michael Cooper for this game, and indeed for the rest of the Sky Bet League One season. Cooper's severe knee injury means an opportunity for Callum Burton, an accomplished, quality, experienced goalkeeper in his own right, to step in. Burton has the confidence of his manager, and his team-mates, according to Schumacher, who also talked of how the group have rallied around Cooper. "I'm gutted he's not going to be part of the team," said Schumacher, of Cooper. "He's been playing so well and over the last couple of years, everyone has seen what type of goalkeeper Michael is. From a team point of view, it is a blow. But personally, as well, I feel for Mike, because he was in an unbelievable rhythm in his career and on an upward trajectory, showing everybody that he's one of the best young goalkeepers in the country. Week in, week out, he's getting better and unfortunately, a real serious injury has happened. I'm gutted for him personally, more than anything. What I have said to him is that he's got all of our support. He's got players around him that have been through this same experience. I have had an ACL injury at the very end of my career and spoke to him about my experiences and how I got through it. Joe Edwards has had it, Jordan Houghton has had it. Michael was in today and Jordan Houghton was in the treatment room talking to him. Hearing how players came back from that injury and what they did to get over it will help Michael, and we'll support him the best way we can. He's only young; I'm confident he'll get through this and he'll come back stronger. He's still play his part, helping Callum from the sidelines. It is a blow, but we'll get over it and we'll survive. We've got a very good replacement in Callum. Every day he trains like a true professional. He shows his quality and pushes Michael every single day. Callum being here for 18 months as well, that gives the rest of the players confidence. They know his voice, they know what he is about. They know what his organisation's like. They know how good he is. He showed on Saturday, when he came on at Sheffield Wednesday, how calm and composed he was in such a big, big game. I've got no worries whatsoever about Callum's capabilities."

Manager Steven Schumacher says that Argyle will be recalling goalkeeper Adam Parkes from his loan at Plymouth Parkway. First-choice keeper Mike Cooper sustained a severe knee injury at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, meaning he will miss the remainder of the season. Callum Burton replaced Cooper at Hillsborough, and will keep goal for the Pilgrims going forward, with Parkes as his deputy. Adam has been suffering from an injury of his own, to his shoulder, but will recover sufficiently to make the Argyle bench when the Greens play Portsmouth at Home Park this Saturday. "He's been out on loan at Plymouth Parkway," said Schumacher. "He's had a little bit of a shoulder issue for the last couple of weeks, so we wanted that to settle down, but he'll be okay. We'll be recalling him, and he'll be on the bench the weekend. We see him in training all the time. It's one of the benefits of sending the lads on loan to the local teams, they can still train with us, and we can see every day what they're capable of. I've seen Adam play. He looks calm and assured. Darren does good work with all three goalkeepers. When you have a setback in your goalkeeping department, it is amplified because there's only a few of them."

8th

Argyle have revealed that Bond Timber will be the Greens' Principal Partner for the 2023/24 season. The renowned timber merchant will return to the front of the shirts for the upcoming EFL campaign, bringing a relationship between the two institutions full circle, with Bond Timber having previously served as Front of Shirt sponsor between 2011 and 2014 - a time when Argyle were battling for their very existence on and off the pitch. Argyle Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Parkinson, said: "On behalf of everyone at Argyle, we are delighted to welcome Bond Timber back on our shirts for next season. As with all of our commercial arrangements, shared values and our local community are important criteria in the selection process. Bond Timber score highly in both of these regards. We are also very pleased to be able to plan the next phase of Project 35, which will continue to be a force for social change in the region thanks to the partnership between the club, Argyle Community Trust and Ginsters."

7th

Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper will miss the remainder of the season. The Greens' Player of the Season for 21/22 suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury during the tie at Sheffield Wednesday. Cooper will go for further scans this week before visiting a specialist in London to set him on the path to recovery. Highly rated Callum Burton will deputise for the remaining games.

4th

An early goal from Callum Paterson was eventually enough to earn Sheffield Wednesday the spoils in a combative top-of-the-table clash, as Argyle suffered a 1-0 defeat. Paterson struck inside seven minutes of a first half that saw Argyle lose Dan Scarr and goalkeeper Mike Cooper to injury. The Pilgrims gave everything in a frenetic second period but there was no way through a stubborn home defence.

Argyle: Cooper (Burton), Gillepshey, Houghton, Wilson, Scarr (Lonwijk), Edwards (Hardie), Mumba, Azaz, Waine (Cosgrove), Matete, T Wright (C Wright). Substitutes (not used): Randell, Earley.

Steven Schumacher expressed his pride with his players despite Argyle's 1-0 defeat at promotion rivals Sheffield Wednesday. "It was a good game," said Schumacher. "Two good teams, strong teams. It was a battle. It wasn't a free-flowing game of football, which we didn't really expect it to be, the way Sheffield Wednesday play. We had a little setback with the goal and two other setbacks in losing two key players. I am proud of the players though because we could have crumbled and fell apart today, but we pushed them all away and it felt that in the second half we were probably the better team, created some good chances or half chances but it just wasn't meant to be today. There are ways to lose a game and we're not going to go unbeaten away from home. It's our first defeat since August. There's always going to be a time where we didn't manage to score an equaliser or produce a moment of quality. But I'm pleased with the way we did lose. We didn't fall apart; we kept going. We threw everything that we had at them. The game was scrappy, and Sheffield Wednesday showed their experience in the second half, killed it off a little bit, didn't let it allow us to get into a rhythm. We could have done better with the early goal, but the lads showed great character because many other teams would crumble under that sort of pressure in the atmosphere that the game was played in today. That gives me good confidence that we're ready for this fight, and if we could carry on playing like that and putting in the effort that we did, then we'll be fine. We'll win plenty more games."

There is no early word on the severity of the injuries to Scarr and Cooper, although Schumacher did confirm that Scarr had suffered a foot injury, while Cooper's issue is to his knee. Prognoses on the pair are pending. The boss had praise for Callum Burton, coming on in goal for his league debut for Argyle, and Nigel Lonwijk, who replaced Scarr. At half-time, Ryan Hardie and Sam Cosgrove were thrown on to alter Argyle's attacking options, with Callum Wright also being introduced in the second period. Schumacher said "Dan Scarr said he has a problem with his foot. He felt something go pop under his toe when he went up for a header. Michael said it's his knee; it doesn't look too good. He's on crutches at the moment and not moving too well. It might be a serious one, but we don't know until we get a scan next week. It's a real disappointment. Callum's a good goalkeeper. He pushes Michael every day in training, like Michael used to push Alex Palmer every day in training. That's why Michael's performances are so good, because Callum's right behind him. Callum did really well. He looked calm and assured. Everything that he had to deal with, he did. If he has to play a number of games, then so be it. We'll have to assess it. It's too early to make any calls yet on that situation. I thought Sam and Ryan gave us something to build from and gave us a platform. Could we have done that earlier on? Maybe, possibly. Could we have started with that? I don't know. But the way I saw the game going would be to go with energy and then have two goalscorers on the pitch when Sheffield Wednesday give up the most of their chances. We had to make the decision at half-time and I thought Sam and Ryan did brilliantly. They got us into the game, got us up the pitch, Cozzie in particular. He looked a threat and nearly scored with a brilliant effort and we had Ryan's threat on the break. Callum Wright did well when he come on as well."

The game was watched by a crowd of over 33,000, including 3,700 of the Green Army. Ultimately, they will have headed home to Plymouth and elsewhere with no points to boast, but judging by their post-match reaction as the players and staff acknowledged the traveling hoards, they appreciated the effort and application of their men in green. "We just didn't manage to get that equaliser that our fans would've loved to have seen," said an equally appreciative Schumacher. "They stayed to applaud the players because they could see the effort that we all put in. Thank you for that, and thanks to all their efforts. We'll try again. Next time we go away from a home, I'm sure they'll follow us again in the numbers. And next week against Portsmouth will be sold out. We'll keep going, keep giving everything for the shirt. We gave it 100%; that's all we can ask for."

Argyle were unable to secure a record-setting 13th away game without defeat, as they lost 1-0 to closest divisional rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Jordan Houghton was at the heart of the contest, playing alongside Jay Matete in the centre of then park, where players on both sides put in spirited, committed displays in an action-packed, if not free-flowing, game. "It was a battle in midfield," Houghton told Argyle TV. "Their high intensity in midfield is key to the way they play. They win a lot of tackles, so it was very difficult to get the ball down. I thought in the second half though, we did that a lot more. In hindsight you can say we should have done that a bit more in the first half, but they were up for it, they've got that bit more energy. It was always going to be difficult to do what we did in the second half in the first half, but that's where we've got to get to. When you sum up the whole game, going 1-0 down early and losing two key players in the first half, I think a lot of teams would've folded, and could've ended up losing three, four or five. I think the fans showed it as well at the end. They were clapping us off. I think they were proud of the performance we put in with all the things that went against us. Obviously, we didn't get the result, but it was a second half that I feel we could have easily nicked maybe a goal to get the draw, but it's small margins. We've just got to now move on and take that into the next game. We want to go to places like this. We came to this place knowing that we could win. We have the mindset, the mentality now of going to every ground knowing we can win. We have to take confidence knowing that I don't think there'll be another team that come here and do what we did with the adversity as well. The experienced boys in the squad - and I'd put myself down as one of them now – know that we've got to help the young lads knowing that the games aren't always going to be pretty. These kind of top of the table clashes going into the last few games of the season are always similar to this where they are high intensity. You've got to win that battle and then try and show a bit of quality. We just have to take a positive from it. Now we've got to go on another run to get promotion."

The crowd at Hillsborough was over 33,000 on Saturday, and although it was the home fans who emerged the happier, around 3,700 members of the Green Army heartily applauded Jordan and his team-mates after the game, no doubt recognising the team's efforts not just at Sheffield Wednesday, but in the season to this point. The display of green and white in the stadium – before, during and after the game – is not lost on the players, says Houghton. "It's amazing coming in," he said. "We pull up outside and we've got fans there cheering, as early as 1.30pm when we get here. Thank you to them. I think that's probably one of the main disappointments for us that we're clapping the fans at the end knowing that we didn't give them anything to cheer as such. We apologise for that, but I think they knew that the performance we put in warranted a positive reaction from them. We appreciate their support throughout the whole season. It's been brilliant. We're going to need it for the last 17 games. I'm sure they'll carry on with us for the rest of the season."

2nd

Argyle head to South Yorkshire to face Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, should the Owls win, and continue a 21-game unbeaten run that stretches back to when these sides met in early October, the division will have new leaders. Earlier this season, Sam Cosgrove's last-minute winner gave the Greens a 2-1 victory. "We've had plenty of time to watch and analyse Sheffield Wednesday," said Schumacher. "We know what Sheffield Wednesday are about. We played them enough last season. We've already played them this year. They are in brilliant form, they are a good team who are so strong at home. They haven't lost in so many games so we're under no illusions that it is going to be a hard game. But it is a game that we are looking forward to. We've got to go there with an attitude to think: 'let's go and be us', to try to be positive and take the game to them. If we do that then we know that, at our best, we are a match for anyone."

Schumacher says he and his team will not be overawed by the crowd or the task. He does, however, accept that the atmosphere presents challenges of a different nature. "It's going to be loud," he said. "You have to pick players who know what they are doing because some of your messages that you're trying to get on can't because of our loud the crowd is. We are used to it. We've grown in confidence as the season's gone on. I think from that very first, huge away win at Derby County where we went there, played really well and got a brilliant result coming from behind, it gave everyone confidence. The players have got that attitude where we believe that if we're at our best, then we're as good as anyone. If we play the way we want to play and if we get the game plan right then then we'll be fine. If everyone works as hard as they have been doing, then we'll always be in the game and with the quality that we've got in in the team, then we've got a chance. It will probably be a slightly different type of game than Ipswich. [Wednesday] have a slightly different style. They don't play out as much from the back as much as Ipswich do although they can still build. They're a little bit more direct because they've got two centre forwards up there who cause real problems. We're understanding that it's going to be backs to the wall in times. We've got to deal with them, we've got to deal with the crowd, we've got to deal with the occasion of a top-of-the-league clash. We'll have a plan as well for when we get it; how can we hurt them? How can we exploit what they're not good at? We know it will be a hard game. We're not going there thinking that we're top so it will all be fine. We'll have to be really good to get anything from the game."

Argyle will be backed by an astonishing Green Army travelling support numbering 3,700. It will be the biggest green exodus from Devon for a league game in many a year, and Schumacher expressed his gratitude for the extraordinary turn-out, especially in the face of more than one logistical challenge. "For us to send that many people up there to Sheffield at the weekend is just incredible," Schumacher said. "The trains are on strike. There's an airline gone bust so flights are being cancelled. I'm sure every coach, every minibus, everyone who can drive and doesn't want to drink, will be driving to Sheffield. We can't thank them enough for their efforts. The players don't need telling. They will see it as soon as we pull up at Hillsborough, our fans will be there. As soon as they go out for the warm-up they're there, and when they come out before the game. It will be an amazing feeling, so I know that they'll put in a performance for them."

Ryan Hardie is feeling confident ahead of Argyle's trip to Sheffield Wednesday this weekend. The game at Hillsborough will see 3,700 travelling members of the Green Army make the Pilgrimage to South Yorkshire, and the occasion will mimic when Argyle met fellow promotion contenders Ipswich Town recently. Hardie's message, as much as anything, was Argyle to take the game in their stride and continue the preparation and performance that has steered to them to the division's summit as the conclusion to the season looms just three months away. "We are looking at every game as a cup final," said Ryan. "This one is big, but so are the next 17 or whatever it is in the league. This one is a massive game for us. You just look at the numbers of travelling fans. It's going to be a good one. It's brilliant. That's back-to-back away games we'll have been in front of 30,000. It's one that we certainly look forward to and as we've shown we'll take the game to anybody. We'll do the same as we do for every game with prep. It's important that if we can't win the games, then we don't lose them, against the teams around us, certainly. The results against the top ten are second to none. We've done the opposite to last year, where we never won the big games. It's massively important that we all do our jobs right. If we can work as hard as we can, then hopefully it'll be a good result."

In the game against Ipswich, Hardie missed a very good chance to score with the game at 0-0. Undeterred, he bounced back to score in his next game, against Cheltenham Town, taking his season's tally to 12. Prior to that, the Scottish striker had suffered – by his standards – a slightly lean spell in front of goal, but this was not something that played on his mind. "I want to score in every game I play in," said Hardie. "If I get one at Sheffield Wednesday, it will be unreal, in the kind of game it will be, the atmosphere it will be. They are the games you want to score in. I went on a bit of slow patch, but I've scored in a couple of games now. When I was going through that stage, I never even thought about the fact that I hadn't scored; I still felt like I was playing well. The gaffer had full trust in me, the boys had full trust in me, that I was bringing other things to the game other than goals. I'm a confident player and when I did go through that stage where I was not scoring as much, I was still thinking that I would score the next chance I had. I think it showed after Ipswich. I missed an absolute sitter then bounced back straight away. It was important for me to do that after missing the chance."

It has been two weeks since the Cheltenham game, with Argyle not playing since. The first-team squad, which is looking healthier since some January additions were made, and several players have returned from injury lay-offs, is now large enough that an in-house 11 v 11 game was scheduled for last Friday. Hardie – who points out that he scored in said game – says that the squad depth gives Argyle added options, and he focused on those can particularly aid him in his striking role. He said: "We played a game on Friday and there's two starting 11s that could compete at the top end of League One. Callum Wright makes forward runs in behind, it leaves more gaps for the striker. Finn [Azaz] drops in and gets the ball, plays the ball forward. There's lots of different ways that we can play and the players that have got now just play off each other. There's no weakness in any area, which is important for a squad especially at this time of this season."

Diary Archive:


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