THE DAILY DIARY

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

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

Saturday 30th September 2023

After the festival of goals last weekend, Argyle needed just the one from Adam Randell to secure a hard-earned point at Hull City. The Pilgrims were pegged back by a Regan Slater leveller in the dying seconds of the first half and needed all their defensive discipline to stem their in-form hosts. Connor Hazard produced three cracking late saves to confirm the draw and Argyle can move forward to the midweek visit from Millwall with another point on the board.

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

23rd

A mesmerising Morgan Whittaker hat-trick provided the gloss to an outstanding Argyle display in sweeping past Norwich City with a 6-2 victory at Home Park. The Greens were the definition of ruthless in the first half, scoring four goals, all with precise and clinical finishing. Whittaker got his first on 15 minutes and Dan Scarr extended the lead. Whittaker and Finn Azaz then scored in the space of two injury-time minutes to effectively kill the game. Whittaker had time for his treble on the hour, although Norwich did get some minor cheer with a consolation brace from Adam Idah. The last word belonged to the Pilgrims, Azaz sweeping a wonderful pass for Mustapha Bundu, who instantly slid the ball to Cundle for a neat finish through the legs of Angus Gunn.

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

21st

Steven Schumacher informed Argyle fans that Brendan Galloway has once again suffered a recurrance of his hamstring injury that has kept him out of action for the opening part of the season. Argyle's manager explained: "He was back in with the group and doing well. He was actually ahead of Macaulay Gillesphey at one stage and then felt his hamstring again. He had to go and get some other advice. There was a bit of inflammation around one of his tendons - the tendon that he tore - so he has had to have an injection to settle that down. It then takes a bit of time for that to recover. He has had his second and final injection now so the plan will be for him to start building up on the grass again this week. He has just got to build himself up. He wasn't far away from being in contention in the squad. He probably had two or three weeks training with us and we were planning on getting him a behind-closed-doors game but that didn't happen."

Joe Edwards said the time had come for harsh reflections following the 4-1 thumping at Bristol City on Tuesday, and reiterated the determination that Argyle had to bounce back positively against Norwich at Home Park on Saturday. The skipper said: "It's something we are definitely looking to address. It's a tough league against some good sides, and to give them an advantage early on is going to make it hard for ourselves to get back into games. You have to be at your absolute maximum and we weren't that on Tuesday unfortunately. That's the most disappointing thing for us and we need to look at ourselves and make sure we address that, and put things right. You haven't got the opportunity to have an off day really. Well, if you do you get punished like we did on Tuesday. No-one meant to go out there and play poorly, the lads are still trying. They will always give everything they can but on Tuesday it just wasn't enough. We need to make sure we work through the week and are fully prepared to go into a game at this level and give 100 per cent.

"I think we can't be naive in the fact that we won't always be able to do it against some of the better sides and we may need to start games slightly differently, but we are not suddenly going to change how we are going to play. One result won't make too much difference in terms of that, but we can't go to these games and think we are going to outplay teams all the time. We have got to fight and battle, and win that challenge first. Then that's when the quality will come out in the players we have got, but ultimately at this level you need to compete and we need to make sure we do that first and foremost, especially away from home, to get some good results."

"It does really give the boys a lift. We love how they come away from home as well, and that's why we were so disappointed on Tuesday because of the following we had and how we let them down on the night. Coming here, it's amazing. We really feel the love and the warmth from them. When they get going it can sometimes suck the ball into the net so we really enjoy it."

20th

In a rare display of anger towards his Argyle charges, Steven Schumacher slammed his team for an 'embarrasing' performance at Bristol City. He said that the result was not good enough in any way, and that the playing squad cannot be excused by his decision to make 7 changes. He raged: "It was not good enough from start to finish. In the first minute, the first tackle, they won and that continued throughout the whole game. I thought our whole performance, with the ball, we looked shaky and nervous. Without the ball, we just didn't compete. If you don't compete and don't do the basics, then you get turned over - and that's basically what's happened. They wanted it more than us tonight and did the basics better than we did, so we got punished. It's not like it's rocket science. It's just simple things like competing for second balls in midfield. They won every second ball bouncing anywhere near our centre backs. If you don't perform, if you don't compete, if you don't win your battles, don't win 50-50s. then you don't get anything from the game. It's a waste of time playing good football. Forget all that. You don't do the basics properly then you get beat.

"I'm sorry. It was a terrible performance, but a brilliant support again. I don't know what happened. They were shouting: 'it's embarrassing' - and it was embarrassing. I felt like saying the same thing. In fact, I did say the same thing at half-time. The whole performance was poor and didn't get going. We asked for a fast start; we freshened it up to get fresh legs in there. Saturday took a lot out of us, but they looked fitter than us and they made no changes, so it had nothing to do with that either. I understand that seven changes sound a lot, but four of the changes are regular starters. Dan Scarr's played nearly every game since being here, Joe Edwards, Adam Randall, Callum Wright the same. There should be no drop off there. The three young lads having their first Championship appearance, I'll take it from them if they have a tough night, but the other lads who have played all the time, then no, it's not good enough. It's no excuse that we have made seven changes. The players that are on there should be able to perform, and they didn't."

"The thinking behind it was obviously it was a tough game on Saturday. It took a lot out of everybody physically so we decided to make changes. I know seven sounds a lot. Four of them players that started the game tonight, though, are regular starters. Joe Edwards and Dan Scarr play virtually every game for us. Callum Wright was our best player for the majority of the end of last season, and Adam Randell has played loads of games. There is not an issue with them four players coming into the team. The three young lads who were making first Championship starts, if you don't put them in you are never going to know what they can do. In hindsight, because we have been battered four-one it obviously doesn't look a great decision.

"Hindsight is a brilliant thing. I knew going into the game if it doesn't go well people are going to have a go at you. If it does well then they are going to call you a genius. That's on me, it's my decision, I decided to make the seven changes and, as I have just said, four of them changes are regular starters anyway so I'm not bothered about that. The other three lads in a tough game and a tough night that we didn't get going, it was hard work for them."

Finally, Schumacher explained the absence of Julio Pleguezuelo and Mickel Miller, saying: "Pleggy has got concussion so he wasn't available. Mickel Miller, as we know we don't like taking risks in a three-game week on a Saturday, Tuesday with him. He will be available for Saturday. Pleggy hopefully if he passes his protocols will be available for Saturday as well. He was reporting dizziness and sickness on the way home from Preston. The club doctor checked him out and he was showing signs of a mild concussion so can't play him."

19th

It was a night of Westcountry woe for Argyle, as Bristol City produced a clinical display to win 4-1 at a soggy Ashton Gate. For the second time in four days, the Greens were playing catch-up after conceding an early goal, Sam Bell scoring from a corner, and the mountain doubled in height when Matty James made it 2-0 on nine minutes. A sweet strike from Adam Randell was almost immediately cancelled out by Mark Sykes, and a late goal from Harry Cornick sealed the City win.

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

18th

As Autumn draws in, and the games come thick and fast, Steven Schumacher looked ahead to Argyle's second away game in four days, this time travelling to Bristol City. He expressed his hope that Argyle could keep the same positive manner of play whilst making small improvements where needed. Schumacher said: "I can't thank the fans enough for the support once again. The way that we're playing, the way that the team are playing, the football that we're playing, I think everyone's enjoying coming to watch us. The amount of phone calls and text messages of people who went to the game on Saturday, who praised how we played and said we probably should have taken something from the game was mad. Ultimately, we know as a team that with this support that we're getting and the way we're playing, we need to start getting more points as well, so we can enjoy the game and enjoy the experience, rather than coming home with nothing to show for our efforts. I think they're a really well organised, well coached, established, experienced Championship team. I think over the years they've got better. We know it's going to be a tough game. They're always strong, they're always there and thereabouts in the division. We know it will be a hard game. With the quality players that they've got, they haven't had a massive turnaround in their squad. We know it's going to be a hard game, but like all the other games, when we go to Birmingham, Watford, Preston, we can go there with confidence, thinking that if we play the way we play, then we can cause them one or two problems. That'll be the message to the lads: keep believing in what we're doing and try to get better in on the small details where we can. We don't have to rip anything up, but we're also aware that we need to get better in certain moments of the game. There are instances where we can look after the ball better in our own half, be a bit more secure on it if we can. As we found out, if we give the ball away, then quality teams can hurt you. When we get to the top end of the pitch, in the 18-yard box, we need to tighten up a little bit as well, because some of the areas that we're getting into, we're not getting enough from our opportunities. We want to get into these areas, continue to cause teams problems, but also execute the chances that we're getting."

Finn Azaz added: "It's crazy that the 'local derby' is like two, three hours away, but we know that the fans bring loads every game. We know there's a little bit more on it because it's the most local team in the division. We'll be up for it. I think we have a really good group and a really driven group. The way that we work is we're not thinking about external factors too much. There was so much outside noise last season that we learnt that we had to kind of stay in our bubble and just do the work that we want to do. There's such a good culture; we just want to improve. We're just thinking about winning games and improving. We're not thinking about how big the moment is. As a team, we just want to get some better results off the good performances. It's hard to get the balance right when you're analysing the performances, whether you are pleased with the performance, but obviously it's a results-driven business. We've got to look at how we can improve to try and get those results. No-one will probably remember that we nearly won, or we nearly got a point. I think we're very good as a team at reacting to defeats, and even when the performances might not be as good and we might win, we're very good at analysing it. Right now, we just need to keep working to turn it into more points.

"It's a different role. Every game the tactics will be a little bit different. In terms of the press and the positioning, it's quite a subtle difference because you don't have two sitting behind you. You've got more defensive responsibility and then in possession, your movement might be a little bit different because you've got a relationship working together with the full-back and the wide man. Working on that side that you're on, the relationships are different, the movement's a little bit different. I'm enjoying it. I think we've done well as a team and personally, I'm enjoying my role and how we've been playing. I think we've seen that it's harder to score. You're playing against better teams, but I've been enjoying the step up in levels."

17th

Steven Schumacher was once again left to rue the small margins as Argyle walked away from another away game defeat, once again by two goals to one, at the hands of Ryan Lowe's Preston. He did however place stress on the positives and re iterated his confidence that if things continue as they are, the results are soon to come. He reflected: "I thought we played really well again. Performance wise, the lads did everything that we've asked of them. We felt we dominated the game in large parts, controlled the possession and created some brilliant chances. I felt, on the balance, we were probably the better team. Preston do what they do. They defended really well, the goalkeeper made some great saves and they were clinical with a couple of their chances that they had. It's disappointing to get beaten, but we've come away from it again with loads of confidence that we're in these big games and we don't look as though we don't belong here. Sometimes you've got to hold your hands up and say that's really good play. For their right wing-back to hit the ball on the half volley, 50 or 60 yards, across the other side of the pitch, right to their man, it's good play. The ball bounced to their player, could have gone to one of ours, but it's gone to theirs from a cross and he scored. We didn't let our heads drop, we just stuck to the game plan, kept trying to play it our way, knowing it would cause Preston loads of problems. I don't know whether they've had any harder games than that this season. We got into the final third and into their box so many times. I don't want to become that team that get there and don't finish anything off. We just need to get better at the small detail. We worked all this week on a certain type of cross, then we got into these big areas and we didn't make the right decision with the type of cross that we made. It's important that when you do work so hard to get in the areas that we'll have to try and execute what we've worked on. At half-time, it felt like a Derby County moment, at a similar sort of time in the year. We played really well in the first half, didn't want to rip anything up and change anything. Even though we were 2-0 down, we felt we were probably the better team. We just asked the lads to keep going. I said: 'if we scored a goal, the crowd might get a bit edgy, and we'll push these all away' - and we did. On another day, a ball breaks to us late on in the game and one of our chances that we've had goes in. Today, it wasn't meant to be, but it's not for the lack of trying.

"I think our fans can see what we're trying to do. We're playing well, so just stick with us and eventually we'll get the win in one of these away games. The support was just unbelievable. The turnout was incredible. We've sold about 6,000 tickets for the two games this week. I think they appreciate what the lads are doing. They've stayed behind today and clapped us off because we've pushed a top of the league team, Preston North End, all the way and made them work hard for their victory. As long as our players keep doing that, then I know the fans will keep appreciating what we're all about."

Ryan Hardie also took the positives but was keen to re interate that we cannot keep giving away early goals, as once again Argyle were left on the back foot shortly after kick off. The striker said: "Starting a game like that and giving ourselves a mountain to climb is not on. We've got to start games better to give ourselves a chance, but I think we reacted positively after we went 2-0 down very early. I think we controlled the game a bit and tried to create opportunities, which is always a positive, but the main thing is we're losing games, so that needs to change. In that game, we created so many chances, we controlled the ball and controlled most of the game, which has been the case this season. We're only six games in, we're learning, it's a new environment for us. We need to start turning the performances into results ultimately to make sure that we send the fans home happy. We're 1-0 down after 30 seconds and chasing the game, from then on, it's always going to be tough against a team like Preston who are experienced in the Championship; they're going to know how to see a game out. They're top of the league and we came here and put on that performance. We got beat by a goal, which is something that we need to tidy up on. We need to get results going and start winning games instead of losing them like that. We tried and tried and tried. We've got a game Tuesday, which is another good thing as well. We go into every game with the same mindset that we're going to come and hopefully take all three points. I know we haven't today, but we've got a game in three days' time to go and do it again. The focus now is to get ready for Bristol, prepare the same way we prepare for every game and then go and take it to them."

For the first time since joining, new addition Mustapha Bundu spoke to the Argyle fans about the twists and turns of his journey to Home Park. The forward explained: "My first day's been really good. The players, everyone around the club has welcomed me pretty well. It's been easy to join the guys. It's been a bit stressful, but both parties knew we had to be a bit patient because of all the visa stuff. I know it's a very good club, a very loving club. The people are close and a massive fan base traveling all around the country to support the team which has been through a lot the last few years. I said yes to the offer, to the opportunity to take another step in my career. I moved from home when I was 11 years old. I moved away from my family. Craig Bellamy, he had a football academy that he built in Sierra Leone, to help kids to achieve their goals. Luckily, I was one of those kids. I would not be here, I would not be sitting talking to you guys if it wasn't for Bellamy, so I'm very grateful. I spent four years there. I was going to school playing football and learning. During those four years he would send me to England every year to go train with some of the clubs that he's played for, like Man City, Liverpool, Cardiff just to get experience. In the back of his mind, he knew that we couldn't sign, but it was just to get us exposed a little bit and to get people to know what sort of things he's doing, and these are the boys that he's working hard for and trying to give a better life."

"It's one of the main things that people say about me, I'm unselfish, I like to create chances for the team and also score goals because scoring goals wins games. Speaking to the coach and looking at videos, I think the system Argyle play and the way they play, would suit me as well."

16th

Two first-half goals ultimately did the trick in a clash between two old friends, as Ryan Lowe's Preston edged past Steven Schumacher's Pilgrims, the match ending 2-1. The home side swept into a first-minute lead when Duane Holmes nodded in from close range and extended the advantage with a goal from the lively Liam Millar in a first period otherwise controlled by Argyle. The Greens kept knocking on the door and it opened for Ryan Hardie on 61 minutes but, despite all the pressure, Argyle were unable to find the equaliser their performance deserved.

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

15th

All attention will be on the two managers in the dugout when Ryan Lowe's Preston play Steven Schumacher's Argyle but the greens manager firmly insisted that the battle between the two sides was by far the most important consideration. He previewed the game accordingly: "The last performance against Birmingham, we played really well. We were disappointed not to win that game; to come away with no points was a huge blow. It's just that getting that balance right. We want to try to play good football. be on the front foot and be expansive, but also recognise the fact that sometimes a point away from home is a good result. We're going into Saturday with that same mentality. We also know that we're going up against the top of the league team who are really hard to play against. Getting a result will be great. We need to be clinical in both boxes, defend for the whole game, not lose any concentration and any chances that we get, try and take them. I know Ryan is standing there next to me, but I'm not playing against Ryan. It's Argyle against Preston, not Ryan versus Schuey. It's going to be good to see him. It's going to be good to go up against him, to see how we get on, pit our wits against each other. Whatever happens, we'll still be mates come the end of it. We know the challenge ahead of us. It's going to be a really good game. It's going to be a good atmosphere. They've been really good. I remember back to the start of last season, following them and, and their results, they were really strong defensively, they didn't concede many goals. They drew so many games, so they were really hard to beat. This season, they've had a bit more of a goal threat. They've been a bit more clinical with the chances that they've got - and they find themselves top of the league. They've still only conceded three goals in the division. They're obviously there for a reason. I hope it's exciting. I hope it's a good game of football. Going up against one of your mates, I'm desperate to win, as will he be desperate to win, but I've taken all that aside. We've just got to try and focus on the job and that's what I'll be trying to do."

Kaine Kesler-Hayden explained his role in the Argyle team, detailing his versatility. He too looked ahead to the Preston game and added: "I'll play wherever I need to play and wherever helps the team the most: Left-back, right wing, left wing, striker. I don't really mind! I'm just happy to be playing, so I'm playing well and with confidence. With how this team plays, it's very different to what I've been in before. I think it enables me to just get forward more, create more chances, and hopefully get more goals. There's moments when I can go, if Jordan Houghton or whoever is in midfield is sitting for example. Their covering enables me to go, and they do that really well here. It enables me to go more times than not. But sometimes it's just about making that decision of just staying back and staying in shape. It's going to be a tough game. They're doing really well, top of the board right now. They are the kind of team we want to play against, impress against and, if we can, get a result from that game. Three points would be massive.

"We need to play the way we've been playing: attacking on transition, being quick and defensively solid. If we don't concede goals, we can't lose the game. The last match we played, getting the three points was massive and it just left us all buzzing over the international break, ready to come back. With the Southampton and Birmingham games, we were in the games until the very last moment. It gave us massive confidence that we can battle it out with ex-Premier League sides. Going to Preston, it fills us with confidence that we can get a result."

11th

Darren Way has left his post as manager of Argyle Under-18s to join Fleetwood Town as their new first-team assistant manager. Fleetwood have appointed Lee Johnson as their new boss, and he has moved to bring in Darren, his long-time former team-mate, to be his number two. Way leaves after nearly four years managing Argyle's youth set up. Argyle's academy manager Phil Stokes said: "We are sad to see Darren depart, but he leaves with our very best wishes. He has been an exceptional coach for our Under-18s over the last few years, helping to enhance and develop our players as footballers and as people. We have had consistent success in terms of results and progression in competitions, as well seeing numerous players graduate into becoming professionals and making their Argyle debuts. We thank Darren for all of his important work at Home Park and wish him well for the future."

Neil Dewsnip added: "Darren has done a brilliant job with our Under-18s, and I would like to wish him all the best for his new venture, alongside Lee Johnson at Fleetwood. Darren has been an integral part of our Academy strategy for several years, during which the Academy has developed considerably. It is a vital part of the football club, and we have taken a great deal of care over ensuring a pathway, overseen by Kevin Nancekivell, is in place for talented youngsters to develop into players to benefit our first team. We have an excellent team of coaches throughout our Academy system, of which Darren was a key member. We hope things go well for him at Fleetwood, and he will always be very welcome at Home Park."

3rd

Steven Schumacher expressed his delight at Argyle's ability to bounce back from hardship with a fine 3-0 win against Blackburn following the frustration of recent games. The manager went on to explain his personell change for the game, talking first about the wider performance: "It's a brilliant win. It was a tough game. We said in the week that Blackburn are a good team. I really like the way they play. The energy and the athleticism that they've got on the team is something for us to try and get to. I think they were probably the better team in the first half, especially the first 25 minutes. We felt we were a little bit off the pace, but there's reasons behind that. The six fixtures we've played so far took a lot out of everybody, physically and mentally. We were just a little bit off it today, but we recovered, we got ourselves in the lead, maybe against the run of play, and second half, I thought we were better. The chances that we created, we were clinical with them, and that's what you've got to be at this level. The second goal had a huge effect on the result. I think it was a good game. It was an open game of football. We knew that the styles kind of match. We play a similar way. They probably just edged the possession and the passes, but we edged the shots, I think. I think we've played better than that in the last two league games and lost; it's okay sometimes to not be at your very, very best, but as long as you can take points, then that's the main thing. I think we got our press right and nullified their threats to a certain extent. Conor Hazard, anything that he had to deal with, he dealt with. I can only think of the one big chance where Blackburn got in and should have scored, Hedges should have scored, but he didn't. We've been guilty of that, not taking big chances when we've got them over the last couple of games.

"We made a change today - Pleggy for Dan Scarr - for a tactical reason. That was a big call, but I thought Pleggy played really well. He showed his athleticism where we knew we needed it. Dan didn't sulk about it this week, he came on, did his job, did brilliantly to see the game out. Ryan Hardie is finding himself more in those positions this year because he's not having to run in in wide areas as much, because of the shape that we're playing. He's becoming a number nine who plays in the box. I know Ryan's a good finisher; he's always been a good finisher and he's always scored goals for us. He's doing really well. He's also getting better at his all-round game. I think he's holding the ball up better and he's harder to play against than he has been. He looks a bit stronger physically. He's worked hard over the summer, and he knows that. If he continues to play in this team where we're going to create chances, then he's going to score more goals.

"It was so important to try and get that win today, having played so well in the last two games. I think if we didn't take anything from this game today, it might have knocked our confidence. We've had to grind it out effectively today, and the players can now go into this break pleased at what they've done in the opening few weeks of the Championship. They can be confident that we can go on and play well in the next block of fixtures. We'll have a little bit of downtime; we've got some important work to do at the start of this week, and the lads will have a few days off over the weekend and then we're ready to go for what's going to be an amazing game at Preston. I can't wait."

Julio Pleguezuelo spoke about the delight of getting a win on his full Argyle debut, accepting the need for rotation as the season takes it course. He said: "I'm absolutely buzzing to get the three points today," he said. "The whole team did a great shift out there, put in a very mature performance. We were coming from a couple of games where we deserved more than we did get. Today, against a very good team, we managed to be more clinical than them and got the three points in the bag. Blackburn started the game well and caught us off guard. We grew into the game, and the goal was maybe a bit lucky, but we managed well until half-time. We lost a bit of control of the game at the beginning of the second half, but two moments in the game changed the game towards us, with Ryan and Luke scoring the goals. I'm very happy for them and for the whole team. I think everybody deserved the three points. We have very good depth in terms of the defence," said Pleguezuelo. "I knew it was a matter of time, and when I play, I play. I've been doing what I need to do, playing in the League Cup and waiting for my chance. The season is very long, and I think there will be a lot of rotation, especially with Macca and Brendon coming back. The manager is going to have to make tough decisions, and will choose whoever he thinks is best to win the game. For myself, I am really pleased I got my chance today, and that we got the three points and clean sheet. I couldn't have asked for a better full debut."

2nd

After two last-gasp Championship defeats, Argyle were clinical and ruthless in their 3-0 win over a lively Blackburn Rovers at Home Park.

The visitors showed their potential prowess in a bright start but the Greens struck a decisive opener, as a deflected effort from Finn Azaz flew into the net on 27 minutes. An entertaining game remained in the balance until Ryan Hardie poached a match-winning second and the gloss was added by a lovely lob from substitute Luke Cundle.

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

1st

Argyle have had two players selected for the September round of internationals, with goalkeeper Connor Hazard being selected for the Northern Ireland senior squad. Meanwhile, Freddie Issaka has been selected to play for the Wales senior squad, hoping to build on his previous experience with the under-19s.

As Hazard looked ahead to the next day's home match against Blackburn, he commented on the call up. He also explained his confidence that Argyle's results would soon improve to allign with their performances. The big keeper said: "It was brilliant. I love going away with them. They're a great bunch of boys as well. We're going to two hard games - Slovenia away and Kazakhstan away - which is quite a bit of traveling, so it'll be good for all the boys to get together and hopefully win the two games. We're meeting up in a different country now on Sunday. Normally we get a few days at home but because of the amount of travel, it's probably better for all the boys to meet at the first game, which is in Slovenia. The boys are great. Everyone gets on with each other; it's a bit like here. There's a great camaraderie about the place and I'm sure everyone's looking forward to it.

"We put in two good performances; we felt like we didn't deserve how the games ended, but that's football. It's a cruel, cruel world where one lack of concentration can cost you. We're at this level now where minute millimetres are the difference between winning a game and losing a game - unfortunately we were on the other end. Every game is a new game. We analyse them, but at the end of the day, we focus on ourselves. They're coming to our turf. We've got the 12th man here, and we're looking to put on a show. We're not really looking into when the game is, we're looking at how we're going to play this weekend, how we're going to set up and how we're going to score goals. It could be the last game of the season or the first game of the season, it's three points or a point that will could matter at the end of the season. I've only been in the club now just over six weeks, but I've never felt so settled in. I think that's due to the Gaffer and Daz Darren Behcet, and also all the boys. They've welcomed me in so well. It's such a good group to be a part of. We fight for each other and we believe in each other. At the end of the day, we want to help each other."

Steven Schumacher also previewed the game against Jon Dahl Tomasson's side, remaining bullish about Argyle's start to the campaign. He mused: "I think it's been a positive start," said Schumacher. "Ideally, we would like to have two more points and to be in the next round of the cup, but that wasn't to be. The performances have been good. They haven't been brilliant yet, but I think we're getting better. From the first game against Huddersfield to where we're at now with our performance level, it's a lot higher. Now we just need to make sure that the performances that we keep putting in churn out some points. We've shown that we can compete. That was the message; that was what was always in the back of my mind over the summer. We needed to put a squad together that can compete with the big teams in this league. I feel that we've done that. We're also trying a new system, which we knew was going to take time to click into gear, but I think everyone can see that there are positive signs. We obviously need to be a bit more clinical in both boxes, do better at both ends of the pitch, but that was always going to be the case. We were never going to come into the Championship and be perfect straight away. We'll keep working on the training grounds, keep trying to get it right. Most importantly, we'll keep being positive. That's what I wanted us to be, and that's how we've played. I really like what I've seen of Blackburn. They're a really young team; they've got an average age just slightly below us. They play with really good energy. The style of play isn't too dissimilar to ours. They like to pass the ball and there's lots of movement from different people in different areas of the pitch, and they're really good on the counter-attack. They've scored five of their six league goals on transition. We need to make sure that we're aware of that. Try and do well with the ball, not be careless with it because they've got a huge threat when they break. They've got speed, again, not too dissimilar to us. They've got good players, established championship players. Now they've become a solid Championship team. They went really close last year and had a real successful season. We have to be positive with what we're doing, and get our attributes right with what we're all about, especially here at Home Park. Try and play at a good tempo ourselves and show some quality in the key moments. We know it's going to be a really tough game. I think it should be an exciting game - and hopefully we can come out on top of it."

The day and indeed the transfer window ended with good news for Argyle with the confirmation that the final signing of the summer has arrived at Home Park. Sierra Leone winger Mustapha Bundu has joined on a two year deal from Anderlecht. The international who can also play up front has been a long time target of the club, according to Steven Schumacher who said: "I am thrilled that we have managed to bring Mustapha to the club. He is someone we have been tracking for a while and will bring different qualities to our forward line. He is a full international for Sierra Leone and joins us from one of the biggest clubs in Belgium. He's also experienced England, and specifically the South West before, so he will settle quickly and we look forward to seeing him run out at Home Park for the first time."

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