Pilgrim's Progress

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@CO88LER5 wrote:
It was quite interesting in the transfer window, as I set a number of youngsters to be available for loan, but all the offers I got were "loan to buy", which I'm really not interested in. After the first 3 or 4 negotiations where I tried to turn them into straight loans with no buy option, with no success, I just gave up and rejected any other offers.
I don't know if this is a trait in this version of the game, or just coincidence...

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I know this one! It IS a bug in the game. You can't negotiate a 'loan to buy' offer into a regular loan - the deal will always be rejected, to the best of my knowledge (it's been some time since I tried).

But there is an easy workaround. DELEGATE your response! It takes a couple of days, but your assistant will return with an accepted loan offer 99 of 100 times, I think. If not a full 100%. The deal can still fall through later on though, but most of them don't.

I use this method myself and have plenty of youth players out on loan, keeping their developments intact and my squad as small as I prefer. It's been an issue for quite some time, I'm certain it was the same in FIFA23 as well.

Plymouth Win Community Shield

Plymouth Argyle won the season charity opener, beating Aston Villa 4-0 at Wembley Stadium and, in the process, laying to rest what had become a bogey side for them.  Last season, Argyle played Villa four times and lost every one – twice in the league, in the Carabao Cup quarter final and in the FA Cup final.

“It’s good to finally beat what had become a bit of a bogey for us,” said manager Bobby Stones.  “We know it’s a friendly, but there was a piece of silverware at stake, so at least we’ve won something this season!”

Farias Scores on Debut

The game was also notable for a brace from Facundo Farias, who was playing his first match since signing at the very end of July.  “It’s a perfect start,” said the manager.  “I expect great things of him.  He’s going to be very important for us.”

Angulo Out for 3 Months

Senior centre back Jesus Angulo has broken his toe and will be out for 3 months, in a blow to the club.  Angulo is the most experienced centre-back at the club and his leadership at the back is likely to be keenly felt.  “The other players will just have to step in,” manager Bobby Stones said.

Good Start for Argyle

Plymouth Argyle are third in the table at the end of August, after two wins and a draw.  The draw was on the opening day against Newcastle; an eventful match that saw ex-West Ham goalkeeper Ignacio Valencia save a penalty in only the 3rd minute on his debut for the Pilgrims, and Facundo Farias sent off for a ‘centre-forward’s tackle’ in the 88th minute.  The club felt lucky to come away with a point.

A straightforward home win against a powder-puff Manchester United followed, which saw Rayan Cherki run the show, score two and assist another.  United had most posession but only two shots.

A hard-fought win at Palace rounded the month.  This match saw Yago Carillo break a toe, meaning he joins Angulo in the treatment room for the next three months.

Haha, from hero to zero. Farías scoring a brace in his debut, then getting sent off in game number two.

Champions League Debut Thrills

Historic Walk Out at Home Park

Plymouth Argyle played their very first Champions League tie at their own ground, and it turned out to be a thriller.  The home side raced into a 3-0 lead, through a brace from Rayan Cherki and a third from Adam Hlozek, by which point the Pilgrims looked to be coasting.  Cherki had the honour of becoming the first ever Champions League goalscorer for Argyle.

Cherki Makes History

They didn’t account for Sevilla’s experience at this level, though, as a second-half fightback saw the Spanish side run out 4-3 winners.  “It’s a good lesson for us at this level,” said manager Bobby Stones.  “There are gears to move up to that we previously didn’t know about.”

Otherwise, Argyle moved top of the table on goal difference, with comfortable wins over Spurs and Leicester City, and a tougher match against Brentford.  The home side struggled to break down a stubborn Brentford side that mysteriously left ex-Argyle Luis Chavez on the bench.  Kobbie Mainoo finally broke the defence on the cusp of half-time, as Stones subbed his two strikers at the break.  That did the trick, as the two subs – Gomez and Rodrigues – both found the net in the second half.  Argyle rounded the month off with a huge Carabao Cup win against a strange Chelsea side, who simply gave up at 3-0. 

Argyle therefore lead Arsenal in the Premier League on goal difference, with Liverpool and Chelsea close behind.

None of the Plymouth players feature in the golden boot currently, as Stones has been rotating because of the busy schedule.

Rayan Cherki tops the Argyle scoring chart, his excellent start making him a firm favourite with the fans, so soon after joining.  He shares top spot with Adam Hlozek, in terms of goal involvements, with seven each.

In late news, Dan Gore completed a deadline day switch to Swansea City for £1.3 million.  He leaves with the club's best wishes.

Whoa, 3-0 up vs Sevilla, then conceding 4 to lose the game. Awful. The manager takes it lightly, I guess. At least in public... What are the other clubs in the group? Don't know if I missed that?