Brief Synopsis sponsored by Bromleigh House

[Cobi Budge]

Cooper - 9 - Didn't have many saves to make but his distribution was absolutely superb. How good is his throwing? In total command of his penalty area, too.

Wilson - 6 - Mostly very good, but I think it was him who got turned for the goal. Let Akins past a bit too easily.
Scarr - 7 - A typically snot-nosed, battling performance. He isn't the most comfortable player on the ball but others can do that work.
Gillesphey - 7 - I don't think he has the defensive instincts of his two partners, but his confidence in playing out from the back is important in Galloway's absence.

Garrick - 6 - He's made a little go a long way. His height and pace is useful, but poor decision-making lets him down. Far from the most technically gifted player we've ever had.
Camara - 6 - Not his best game today. Put himself about as always but most of what he tried didn't quite come off. His drive makes him useful even when he isn't having the best of games, like today.
Houghton - 8 - Very good performance. Used the ball very intelligently and showed a range to his passing that we've seldom seen before. Breaks up attacks efficiently through smart positional play.
Broom - 9 (MOTM) - He impresses in many ways, but one thing that always strikes me is how comfortable he is with both feet. Always plays the right pass in the final third. The best creative player we've had since Carey and Lameiras.
Grant - 9 - Love how he comes inside from left-wing-back. Puts him in more dangerous areas and creates space for the left-centre-back to charge into. Lovely finish for the goal.

Hardie - 8 - Wasn't his best in front of goal but his waspishness was crucial in stretching the Burton defence.
Agard - 5 - Tried his best but off the pace, not surprising considering he's barely played in the last year or two.

Edwards - 6 - A mixed bag: thrown into battle with a dangerous Burton winger and wounded a couple of times, but unlike Garrick he kept the ball and slowed the game down thanks to his phlegmatic character.
Mayor - 5 - All the tricks in the book, but sometimes it feels like he's auditioning for the Harlem Globetrotters rather than trying to win football matches. Needed to be more careful with the ball given the game situation.
Randell - N/A

Pretty much in agreement with that, though I felt Agard deserved more than a 5, he worked extremely hard and contributed a fair amount.

 

[Keith Whitfield]

Just a quick point. The second Argyle goal was sheer class, and should satisfy even the more ardent sceptic that the Argyle data-analytical approach to the game is the way to go. Doncaster surprised Argyle from a failed Argyle corner to score their goal from a long throw-out by the goalie. The stats say that you are incredibly vulnerable after a failed corner (as likely to concede after your own corner as score), and I said at the time on this very forum to boot that I hoped that the data boys had put 2 and 2 together here. The answer came loud and clear in the space of just two weeks. Bet Coops had been practicing that overhand throw ever since the Donny match! Well done to all concerned!

 

[JannerinCardiff]

I would have subbed Camara earlier. Just not his normal self today. Wilson’s forays were impressive. Agree Houghton the linch-pin. MOM for me was Broome. What an engine! On another day (and certainly last season) Burton might have nicked a draw. How could so many leave before the whistle, during squeaky bum time?

Totally agree - I would have subbed Camara earlier also bringing on Mayor. Pan just didn’t look his usual energetic self.

 

[kernow19]

Just a quick point. The second Argyle goal was sheer class, and should satisfy even the more ardent sceptic that the Argyle data-analytical approach to the game is the way to go. Doncaster surprised Argyle from a failed Argyle corner to score their goal from a long throw-out by the goalie. The stats say that you are incredibly vulnerable after a failed corner (as likely to concede after your own corner as score), and I said at the time on this very forum to boot that I hoped that the data boys had put 2 and 2 together here. The answer came loud and clear in the space of just two weeks. Bet Coops had been practicing that overhand throw ever since the Donny match! Well done to all concerned!

Argyle set plan for 'keeper Mike Cooper to get Burton assist

England's Sam Johnstone was not the only shot-stopper creating a goal for his side on Saturday

www.plymouthherald.co.uk

 

[abandonedhope]

All the players are stepping up at the moment but Houghton at defensive midfield is a massive factor. Compared with Opoku , or whoever else, last year he is just class. Almost never loses the ball and his first instinct is to get the ball forward if possible. He’s so calm and just keeps the team ticking.

 

[German Shepherd]

What I didn't get was the ref gave 5 mins of injury time & on 94 mins & 50 secs Lowe brings on Randell so the ref is duty bound to add another 30 secs: why give Burton extra time when the match was virtually up ???; even my wife, who was only giving a very passing interest, asked why the hell he did that 😂

 

[Caribou]

Argyle set plan for 'keeper Mike Cooper to get Burton assist

England's Sam Johnstone was not the only shot-stopper creating a goal for his side on Saturday

www.plymouthherald.co.uk

Brilliant. Was great to see the back three all go back to congratulate Cooper too.

 

[jespafc]

In pre-season when Grant signed a new contract I said to my Dad that I wasn't that excited because I consider him to be just a squad player that may do a job every so often.

I'm very glad to say that it just proves how little I know about football! He's been fantastic so far this season and once again yesterday (aside from his wonderful goal) he really ran that left side with Broom. Their partnership on that side is a joy to watch and Burton just couldn't deal with them. It was noticeable against Crewe when he went off injured that we seemed to struggle to adjust to that.

Watching Argyle these days is largely a joy. All credit to the management team and the players.

 

[warney]

What I didn't get was the ref gave 5 mins of injury time & on 94 mins & 50 secs Lowe brings on Randell so the ref is duty bound to add another 30 secs: why give Burton extra time when the match was virtually up ???; even my wife, who was only giving a very passing interest, asked why the hell he did that 😂

I thought exactly the same, GS! A real "WTF" moment when we were hanging on for the final whistle.

 

[Ron Tate]

Funnily enough Johnstone did similar today for England.

I have been thinking very much the same thing.

 

[Graham Clark]

When Ryan Lowe refers to work on the training ground the rewards were most evident in yesterday's performance. Cooper's 'assist' for the second goal was the most obvious but there are many areas of improvement.

Cooper performances have improved immeasurably. More vocal., more confident in the air, better distribution and awareness and clearly benefitting from a more commanding and assured back three his hard work on his game has rightly put him up with the best of young keepers.

The back three is obviously the biggest area of improvement. Whether its Galloway or Gillesphey it makes no difference. Winning the headers, fantastic blocks are all part of their defensive excellence. However, look at how swiftly they now move the ball around, look at how both the outside CBs are comfortable moving into space. Look at those fantastic pitch wide diagonal balls. All this is part of of hard work on the training ground.

The current midfield is exceptionally hard working with Broom and Camara covering prodigious distances. Houghton plays the quarter back role with aplomb. However, what sometimes is overlooked is the link up play in coming short and moving the ball to evade the press. Again the hard work at harpers Park is evident to make this new found fluidity productive. First half yesterday was the best demonstration of it we've seen this season. This fluidity has given space for the wing backs to get up and down with greater effect and the interplay down the channels is a joy to behold borne out of the 'patterns of play' our manager often refers to.

We even changed our predictable kick off routine yesterday eliminating the hoof towards the touchline. Twice our restarts meant we kept possession for longer as we looked to play our way forwards. Long may it continue.

Clearly, playing Hardie on the last defender's shoulder has reaped its rewards but we should not underestimate how the movement of Jephcott (and Agard yesterday) creates that space. That Hardie has displayed exceptional quality in calm and assured finishing is a delight to behold.

In summary, Argyle are now a team to enjoy and not endure. It's apparent that the solid recruitment has been coupled with demonstrable improvement borne out of hard work on the training pitches with very evident results. It is a team effort from all the coaching and analysis staff and they deserve credit for their achievement so far. Getting to the top of the League is easier than staying there, though. If the overall rate of improvement can be maintained then come the end of the season we may well be there or thereabouts.

 

[jerryatricjanner]

Just a quick point. The second Argyle goal was sheer class, and should satisfy even the more ardent sceptic that the Argyle data-analytical approach to the game is the way to go. Doncaster surprised Argyle from a failed Argyle corner to score their goal from a long throw-out by the goalie. The stats say that you are incredibly vulnerable after a failed corner (as likely to concede after your own corner as score), and I said at the time on this very forum to boot that I hoped that the data boys had put 2 and 2 together here. The answer came loud and clear in the space of just two weeks. Bet Coops had been practicing that overhand throw ever since the Donny match! Well done to all concerned!

I'm an old fart who was very sceptical of data analysis etc back in the days when a very young Matt began providing figures to Argyle and became a member of staff before moving on elsewhere. Local Tavistock lad Billy Coulston does a similar job for Newcastle primarily for future opponents I believe currently and I had a much better appreciation of it after a conversation with him a couple of years ago. Simon Hallett is all for it after using it in business and only this week Manchester United appointed a specialist data analaysist, a Cambridge graduate with a great track record in business. It clearly has a part to play and the information it gives on individuals and patterns of play and many other aspects is a valuable tool in trying to gain an edge on opponents. I think it is already showing with our recruitment and improved performances.

 

[Nobby]

Clearly, playing Hardie on the last defender's shoulder has reaped its rewards but we should not underestimate how the movement of Jephcott (and Agard yesterday) creates that space. That Hardie has displayed exceptional quality in calm and assured finishing is a delight to behold.

Lots of good points in your post Graham, but I wanted to pick out this one, as it’s something I commented on during yesterday.

Obviously getting Hardie in behind with his pace is a very clear tactic of ours, but what I am shocked by is the regularity with which it happens. That must be four or five games now where we have scored as a direct result of Hardie getting in behind the defence. So my question is; why are so many teams playing a high line against us and attempting to press us high. The teams who have taken points against us (particularly at home) have just come and sat in and made us break them down. So when I see goals like that yesterday, I really wonder what research and analysis opposition teams have done before playing us. Because the one instruction I would have is watch the ball in behind and don’t get caught in a foot race with Ryan Hardie.

Long may it continue of course, but it just baffles me slightly. It also helps that we are now adept at playing out of the high press, thanks largely to Jordan Houghton’s ability to receive the ball under pressure. It happened a lot in the first half yesterday and was the reason why we were so dominant.

A lot of us said after last season that what we wanted to see was evidence that the management had learnt from last season and rectified the repeated mistakes we made. It’s early still of course, but the evidence so far is really pleasing.

 

[Balham Green]

When Ryan Lowe refers to work on the training ground the rewards were most evident in yesterday's performance. Cooper's 'assist' for the second goal was the most obvious but there are many areas of improvement.

Cooper performances have improved immeasurably. More vocal., more confident in the air, better distribution and awareness and clearly benefitting from a more commanding and assured back three his hard work on his game has rightly put him up with the best of young keepers.

The back three is obviously the biggest area of improvement. Whether its Galloway or Gillesphey it makes no difference. Winning the headers, fantastic blocks are all part of their defensive excellence. However, look at how swiftly they now move the ball around, look at how both the outside CBs are comfortable moving into space. Look at those fantastic pitch wide diagonal balls. All this is part of of hard work on the training ground.

The current midfield is exceptionally hard working with Broom and Camara covering prodigious distances. Houghton plays the quarter back role with aplomb. However, what sometimes is overlooked is the link up play in coming short and moving the ball to evade the press. Again the hard work at harpers Park is evident to make this new found fluidity productive. First half yesterday was the best demonstration of it we've seen this season. This fluidity has given space for the wing backs to get up and down with greater effect and the interplay down the channels is a joy to behold borne out of the 'patterns of play' our manager often refers to.

We even changed our predictable kick off routine yesterday eliminating the hoof towards the touchline. Twice our restarts meant we kept possession for longer as we looked to play our way forwards. Long may it continue.

Clearly, playing Hardie on the last defender's shoulder has reaped its rewards but we should not underestimate how the movement of Jephcott (and Agard yesterday) creates that space. That Hardie has displayed exceptional quality in calm and assured finishing is a delight to behold.

In summary, Argyle are now a team to enjoy and not endure. It's apparent that the solid recruitment has been coupled with demonstrable improvement borne out of hard work on the training pitches with very evident results. It is a team effort from all the coaching and analysis staff and they deserve credit for their achievement so far. Getting to the top of the League is easier than staying there, though. If the overall rate of improvement can be maintained then come the end of the season we may well be there or thereabouts.

All true but we STILL need to improve on set pieces especially corners. Always just seems an aimless loft into box. Hardly worth getting them.

 

[davie nine]

Just a quick point. The second Argyle goal was sheer class, and should satisfy even the more ardent sceptic that the Argyle data-analytical approach to the game is the way to go. Doncaster surprised Argyle from a failed Argyle corner to score their goal from a long throw-out by the goalie. The stats say that you are incredibly vulnerable after a failed corner (as likely to concede after your own corner as score), and I said at the time on this very forum to boot that I hoped that the data boys had put 2 and 2 together here. The answer came loud and clear in the space of just two weeks. Bet Coops had been practicing that overhand throw ever since the Donny match! Well done to all concerned!

Coops has been demonstrating his accurate throwing ability from fairly early last season.