Pilgrim's Progress

Another Striker Out

Argyle’s luck with injuries took another turn for the worse, as striker Samson Tovide will be out for 4 months with a torn ligament.  Tovide suffered the injury whilst scoring the only goal in the match against Brentford, whilst executing a scissor kick from a cross on the right. 

Samson joins striker Lorenzo Battaglia and centre back Jorrel Hato in the treatment room.  With this latest injury, Argyle are left short up front.  It is rumoured that Argyle might dip into the transfer market to reinforce the front line in the upcoming window.

The Pilgrims have taken the unusual step of promoting a newly-arrived academy player – Brazilian Hugo Rodrigues – into the first team, to add options in the striking department. 

Rodrigues joined only a few weeks ago and is considered a bright prospect but will need to be carefully managed.  Nevertheless, he came on as a substitute in the three matches following his promotion and scored in each; a fabulous introduction to the club’s fans.

Rodrigues scores on his debut

On the Premier League front, it was a mixed month for Plymouth, with four wins and two defeats, including a good win at Manchester United.  In the process, they streteched their lead at the top back to six points, as Fulham and Chelsea stalled.  Ominously for the Pilgrims, most of the ‘big six’ have now entered the top eight, with Arsenal leading the chase in second, having jumped from sixth place with a good sequence of results.  Argyle can count on a very hot second half of the season.

Argyle lost to bogey side Aston Villa, 2-1, in the quater-finals of the Carabao Cup, exiting at one stage short of last year's achievement.

Lucien Devaux recovered from a mini-slump at the start of the month, with the consolation goal against Villa as Argyle departed the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage, and a brace in the win against Everton.  He currently sits 9th in the golden boot chase.

Freddie Issaka remains joint top of the assists chart.

Three consecutive defeats across competitions, not quite what we're used to see from the Pilgrims. Unfortunate with a long injury to another one of your strikers. I've been pretty lucky in that regard in my current save. Haven't really had these injury concerns lately. But it seems the young Brazilian is doing his best to cover the gap. Almost Ronaldo Fenomeno numbers that. Potential to be Special, he's designed for greatness that one. Interesting to see if he can keep up the pace.

Big Beasts Stalk Argyle

January and February saw Plymouth’s lead all but evaporate, as Chelsea moved to within 3 points of the Pigrims at the top of the table.  Lining up behind them are Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.  It will take some experienced heads, which Argyle have none of, to keep them at bay as the pressure begins to build from teams that are used to a title run-in.  Thankfully, Argyle have reinforced their striking options, with the early January purchase of Adam Hlozek from Leverkusen and the return of Lorenzo Battaglia from injury.

Hlozek was a classic example of taking advantage of a contract situation.  Hlozek was in the last year of his contract at and there was no sign of any agreement when Plymouth came calling.  As a result, they acquired him for a significantly reduced price of £28 million – a club record by a long distance but nevertheless considered a real bargain, as his market value was £33 million and Leverkeusen started with a price of £38 million.  “Adam is a great purchase at his market value, so to get him for less is a real steal,” said manager Bobby Stones.  “He’s going to be a big favourite here.”

Lorenzo Battaglia was eased back into action following his injury with a half-time substitute appearance in the FA Cup 3rd round against Lincoln City, and promptly scored twice.  “Some habits are hard to break,” Stones said with a smile.  He followed that up with a start and a 4th minute goal in the match against Arsenal, where Adam Hlozek made an instant impact on his debut with a goal just before half-time.  After a 1-match rest for the FA Cup 4th round, Battaglia then dispelled any thoughts of a downturn following injury by scoring a hat-trick against hapless Watford, who succumbed 7-0 to the Pilgrims.  Hlozek got a double in that match too.

Towards the end of February, Kobbie Mainoo decided to become the last-gasp goalscorer, with notches against Brentford in the 88th minute to rescue a draw, and an 81st-minute effort against Chelsea which was unfortunately not enough to get a point.

As a result, Argyle now lead the table by 3 points, with the big beast clubs lining up behind them and getting ever closer.

Battaglia's scoring return sees him return to the top 15 in the Golden Boot chase.

He also returns to the top of the Argyle team scoring chart:

Hlozek is one I thouroughly enjoyed in a save a few years back. I think he was 17 then. What a beast he was and may still be. Good fee for him, I always prefer to find these good deals too, signing players for less than their market values, selling them for bigger fees, if possible. Good start for him too, 3 goals in 4 games.

Plymouth, the new sensation in the English Premier League #LMAO - good on you, mate!

A Shock Offer, then Progress in the Cup

March opened with an astonishing development, as Argyle manager Bobby Stones was approached by Manchester City.  Could this be the beginning of the end for Pep Guardiola’s reign?  Pilgrim fans didn’t need to worry, though, as Stones turned down the offer; “flattering though it is, I’ve started something here and I want to see it through.”  Said the manager.

Apart from that, March was notable mainly for Plymouth making it to the FA Cup semi final.  The start of the month saw an easy home 5-0 cup win against Wolves, including a fine volleyed effort from Luis Chavez.

Chavez Volleys Home

The end of the month saw a 2-0 win against 10-man Spurs in the Quarter-final.  Heung-Min Son got himself sent off for two yellow card offences, albeit that Argyle had effectively already won the match by then.

Son sent off.

In between, Plymouth beat two South Coast sides, the victory against Brighton in particular being a close-fought affair which saw Brighton dominate with an incredible 18 shots to Plymouth’s 6.

All of which leaves Argyle 3 points clear at the top, having played a match less than Chelsea.