Pilgrim's Progress

More Transfer Activity in August

Argyle rounded off the summer transfer window in August with two departures and two arrivals.

The Pilgrims purchased centre-back Gianluca Bellini (18) from Union Berlin for £6 million and added left winger Daniel Ashton (16) from Manchester United for £1 million.  Both are considered real prospects, with Ashton potentially being loaned out later in the season if the opportunity presents itself.

Meanwhile, midfielder Morgan Whittaker (24) joined Championship side West Brom for £2.5 million and striker Ryan Hardie (27) completed a move to Heidenheim for £2.2 million.  Hardie was second in the scoring charts last season but manager Stones clearly did not expect him to develop enough to make a big enough impact in the Premier League.  “Ryan did very well for us last season but I couldn’t guarantee him the amount of game time he was expecting.  The offer from Heidenheim suited both him from a playing perspective and us financially, so we send him on his way with warm appreciation for his efforts last season.”

After an encouraging pre-season, as Plymouth won their tournament with two wins and a draw against European sides such as Freiburg, Almeria and Sassuolo, the manager seems pretty satisfied with his new squad.  “It’s come together really well.  The late arrivals will need more bedding in, but I’m really pleased with the new recruits and how they have fitted into our playing style.”  Asked about the relative youth, he seemed unconcerned “these players are all good potential and they have demonstrated already that they can play at the level we need.  Let’s wait and see.  We do have some money unspent for January, if we think we need more experience.”

Good Start to Life in the Premier League

Argyle made a respectable start to life in the Premier League, with a hard-fought draw at home to Brighton, followed by an away win at Bournemouth.  Young striker Lorenzo Battaglia created history with Plymouth’s first-ever goal in the top flight against Brighton; something that will stay forever in the history books.

Battaglia Celebrates with the Crowd

Ryan Hardie signed off life as a Plymouth player with the opener against Bournemouth before his move to Heidenheim, and Roberto Alvarado sealed Plymouth’s first ever win in the top division, as Plymouth established a half-hour lead that they never relinquished.

The league table does not mean much at this point, but Plymouth sit third behind Aston Villa and Fulham at the end of August.

Argyle advanced in the Carabao Cup courtesy of a 4-0 comfortable win at Home Park against Fleetwood Town, Samson Tovide continuing where he left off last season with a brace.

Mumba Contract Impasse

Bali Mumba could be the next player to depart Plymouth, after news emerged of a contract impasse.  The agent for the player, a full back at the club, is said to have demanded an increase to around £65,000 per week, a sum manager Bobby Stones dismissed as “pure fantasy”.  As a result, contract discussions for the player (23), who has two years left on his current contract have broken down with no meeting date set for more discussions.  Mumba’s current contract is said to be worth around £4,000 per week.

Mumba’s agent was in combative mood.  “£65k per week is the standard in the Premier League and I am determined to get what Bali deserves.

“The club is just being tight-fisted.  We know that some players have had substantial increases already, so we are not asking for the world.”

Mumba featured in 35 games last season, mainly as a substitute.

Stones would not be drawn on the issue, other than to say “This is pure fantasy.  We won’t discuss other players’ contracts, as they are confidential between the parties concerned, but £65k per week for a substiutute is simply ridiculous.”

He declined to confirm or deny whether the player has now been put on the transfer list.

Argyle Stuns the Premier League

The Pilgrims have made a flying start to life in the Premier League, topping the table at the end of September, winning all four matches during the month.

After a good win against bottom side and fellow promotees Watford, Argyle stunned Arsenal with a 2-0 win at the Emirates, making it two wins from two matches against the Gunners in the last 12 months.  Argyle beat them 3-2 in the Carabao Cup quarter final last season.  Young Argentine winger Valentin Galeano cut in from the wing and scored the opener after only 9 minutes, after which the Pilgrims launched a rearguard action until the 90th minute, when Lucien Devereaux scored from a breakaway.

Galeano Scores against Arsenal

Argyle topped that after the international break, with a mature performance against Liverpool at Home Park that left Jurgen Klopp totally lost for words.  Again, Argyle had played Liverpool last season – twice – in the Carabao Cup and narrowly lost both.  This time, despite Liverpool enjoying most of the possession, the Argyle defence restricted the big team to only 5 shots, underlining manager Bobby Stones’ philosophy of “possession with a purpose”, as Argyle managed 12 shots.  “The [5-1] scoreline really flattered us, but we took our chances, and that was the real difference”, said manager Stones.  The final goal was a breakaway from a Liverpool corner, which Kobbie Mainoo converted after losing the Liverpool defence.

Mainoo walks the ball into the net/Liverpool game stats

“They mugged us”, Jurgen Kopp said.  “That was completely unexpected.  Their defence was brilliant, not letting us get near their goal and they took their chances brilliantly.  I think the league is going to have to reconsider this team.  We certainly won’t get caught out again – I hope – but well played to them.”

It's getting a bit too easy for you, isn't it? Beating both Arsenal and Liverpool, the latter with 5-1... I assume you're playing on ultimate, but have you also tried to tweak the sliders to make it a bit tougher for you?

Mumba to Depart in January

Bali Mumba has secured a move to FC Porto in January, Plymouth agreeing a £6.5 million fee for the contract rebel.

It is not known what wages Mumba will receive in Portugal, compared to the demand for £65,000 per week his agent was demanding from the Home Park club.

“It’s disappointing in some ways that Bali is leaving, but it’s his decision in the end and we don’t want players here who will not fit the system and culture of the club.” Said Manager Bobby Stones.  “We hope he enjoys his time in Portugal.”

Tykes Dislike Pilgrims

Newcastle United are already sick of the sight of Plymouth Argyle, having lost twice to them in October.

The Pilgrims knocked the Tykes out of the Carabao Cup with an unanswered double from Freddie Issaka, the young academy graduate scoring twice before half-time.

Then the Pilgrims returned two weeks later to snatch three points, courtesy of a 4-1 scoreline that included a fine overhead kick from Luis Chavez in the 9th minute.  Chavez executed a perfect shot from an incoming corner to set the Pilgrims on their way.  The downside of the victory was a bad toe injury for key striker Lorenzo Battaglia which will keep him out for at least 3 months.

Chavez overhead kick

In between those matches, Argyle notched a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester City, with the only goal coming in the second half from Lucien Devaux.  The rest of the match was a rearguard action, as City dominated possession as they normally do.

The departing Bali Mumba made headlines in the match against Luton Town with a goal from the half-way line.  Losing 1-0 at the time, and with the match coming to an end, the Luton goalkeeper Tim Krul came up for a corner in the 92nd minute, which the Pilgrims cleared to Mumba on the right.  As he stepped over the half-way line, he shot into the open goal, with Krul nowhere in sight.

The sequence of results keep Plymouth on top of the Premier League, having opened a gap to Fulham in second place.  It is noticeable that the 'Big six' are largely absent from the top four of the league so far this season, as indifferent results all around are allowing teams like Argyle to take the limelight. for a change.  How long this continues is an interesting question.

Although Plymouth top scorer Lorenzo Battaglia shares second place in the scoring charts, with six goals from as many matches, he will drop away with his 3-months absence through injury.

Unfortunate injury for your in-form striker there. But perhaps a welcome opportunity for others to fill the gap and take the spotlight. Looks like a goal of the year contender, that overhead kick. Brilliant.

Pilgrims Vs West London

Plymouth continue to lead the Premier League at the end of November, holding off the twin West London challenge of Fulham and Chelsea.  The month started with an end-to-end game against Aston Villa, with the West Midland side eventually taking the three points, as Plymouth’s normally tight defence crumbled for some reason.

After a close win over Championship Milwall in the Carabao Cup, and a similarly difficult match against Nottingham Forest, Argyle suffered a second consecutive home defeat, this time conceding 4 to Chelsea.  A good win against Spurs rounded off the month.  The Spurs win was notable for the manager making two formation changes during the match, in an attempt to recover from Son's opening penalty, as Spurs threatened to overrun the side in the first 40 minutes or so.  He eventually got it right in the second half.

The two West London sides are in hot pursuit of the Pilgrims, on 27 points apiece; 4 behind Argyle.  Manchester United and Arsenal are beginning to close on Aston Villa in 4th place.

Lucien Devaux surged to the top of Plymouth’s overall scoring charts, his four goals in all matches taking him past the injured Lorenzo Battaglia.   Devaux has stepped admirably into the void left by Battaglia's injury lay-off.  He is forming a very good partnership alongside Freddie Issaka (see below).

It also moved him to 9th in the Premier League Golden Boot race.  Fellow striker Freddie Issaka shares top billing with Kelechi Iheanacho for the top assists spot.  Issaka is becoming quite the goalmaker, first alongside Battaglia and now Devaux.  With 4 goals as well, he is currently Plymouth's top goal threat. 

In terms of squad development, Plymouth recruited two high potential players into the academy this month, in Victor Alves from Portugal and Hugo Rodrigues from Brazil.  We can’t wait to see them ultimately graduate to the first team.

Unfortunate to lose that Villa game. 90+4, never fun to concede so late in a game. Strange to see Fulham up there. Plymouth and Fulham as number 1 and 2 in the Premier League, that's unexpected. Liverpool and Man City absent in the top 8, that's surprising too. Devaux fellow picking up where Battaglia left, it seems, before picking up his injury. 4 goals in the last 3, not bad.