One Game at a Time: A (Putney) Bridge Too Far
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In the end it all fell pretty much into place, as Argyle returned from their favourite London ground with all three points, another set piece goal and Tolaj and Pepple back in tandem and both scoring. Tolajs strike was a peach, and Pepple finished off a great team move.
It could have been so different, not least because although only Cardiff joined Argyle as top half winners, and that at the expense of any lingering hopes Reading had of gate crashing the playoff party, almost all the other games would have been much different had whistles been blown a minute or so earlier.
Starting at lunchtime, Bolton lost another player to a red card, and yet again ground out an unlikely result, from trailing three one to a three all draw, courtesy of the left foot of ex Argyle loanee Ibrahim Cissoko. I say unlikely but as this was the third game in a row that Huddersfield have conceded deep into added on time, and in this case time added to added on time so they could bring on an extra defender, you have to say self inflicted doesn’t really cover it. Town have banned the first team squad from any dog walking activity until they have proved they can hang onto a lead.
Tonight’s opponents and close rivals for third spot, at least for now, Bradford, went to local rivals Barnsley, who chose that morning to let Conor Hourihan know he wouldn’t be returning next season. Our old friend Charley Breakspear was flashing his red card early again, this time to Ranganathan after only eight minutes. despite that handicap Barnsley took the lead before the Bantams showed some pluck and scratched out a lead. Barnsley though, scrambled, you guessed it, a last minute goal to grab a point that technically keeps them in the race. It doesn’t, but we need them to believe it for upcoming games against Stevenage Luton and Stockport.
Speaking of the newtowners, Stevenage hosted the Cruyff Appreciation Derby with Lincoln City and against all odds scored twice in the game, one for each shot on target. This was not the score Argyle needed but you guessed it, a last minute equaliser gained Lincoln’s scorer, if not the freedom of Plymouth at the very least a road named after him. welcome to Rob Street Street.
Whilst Bolton almost have got the seventy five points they will need, Argyle were putting the Wimbledon to the sword, a favour to our inbred cousins of the North, and they were doing their level best to throw that help back in our faces.
Twice they allowed Stockport the lead. By two nil and then three two. County already have enough games to look nailed on to secure the seventy five points required to ensure a place in the playoffs and a win here would have made it a near certainty. Cue the City reserve keeper burying a ferocious ninety sixth minute equaliser from a corner. Not quite Jimmy Glass levels of drama but potentially season altering. And frustrating as itmight be, giving the six toes hope in their final game, at home to tonight’s opponents, cannot be a bad thing.
We therefore had a weekend where only two top Half sides managed to win, and whilst most also didn’t lose that compresses the table as games run out, only Bolton of the playoff wannabes dont have a game tonight, but their final two games, away to Bradford and home to late charging Luton means they could gain six points or none just as easily.
Argyle go into tonight’s game at Valley Parade knowing a win keeps everyone within reach, with the once unlikely benefit of a strong goal difference meaning catching and equalling Bradford or Stevenage could indeed should be enough. Lose and unless Stevenage suffer a worse implosion in their final games then this will be the charge of the late brigade, glorious but ultimately a failure.
A win tonight puts a giant cat in a roomful of pigeons. It keeps Bolton who follow Argyle to Valley Parade on Saturday, within reach . A draw for both would not be necessarily enough although would be strong for Bolton whose goal difference is the best of the contenders
Tonight sees second best home versus third best away records. Current form favours Argyle, as does the venue historically. And for once so does the injury list withex Green Tyreik Wright, regular scorer Bobby pointon likely to miss out and midfield stalwart Max Power walking a yellow card tightrope. Two more for a three match ban which could neatly ruin his playoff campaign.
The Manchester Messi, Antoni Sarcevic has also been managing his minutes recently, but seems likely to play a part.
argyle have an untold wealth of talent returning, with even joe Ralls potentially returning in time for the play-offs, but Galloway and Ibrahim back in contention, joining th3 already returned wiredu, Pepple, Sorinola and Pleggy.
So Argyle need to better Stevenage by two points over three games is the bottom line.
And no better way to do it than winning a twelfth away match of the season tonight. Just maybe don’t leave it till the last minute, lads.
If they do you might hear the shouts from Sharm
COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bantamweights v Heavyweights. (A) April 21st Sponsored by Last
minute.com
In the end it all fell pretty much into place, as Argyle returned from their favourite London ground with all three points, another set piece goal and Tolaj and Pepple back in tandem and both scoring. Tolajs strike was a peach, and Pepple finished off a great team move.
It could have been so different, not least because although only Cardiff joined Argyle as top half winners, and that at the expense of any lingering hopes Reading had of gate crashing the playoff party, almost all the other games would have been much different had whistles been blown a minute or so earlier.
Starting at lunchtime, Bolton lost another player to a red card, and yet again ground out an unlikely result, from trailing three one to a three all draw, courtesy of the left foot of ex Argyle loanee Ibrahim Cissoko. I say unlikely but as this was the third game in a row that Huddersfield have conceded deep into added on time, and in this case time added to added on time so they could bring on an extra defender, you have to say self inflicted doesn’t really cover it. Town have banned the first team squad from any dog walking activity until they have proved they can hang onto a lead.
Tonight’s opponents and close rivals for third spot, at least for now, Bradford, went to local rivals Barnsley, who chose that morning to let Conor Hourihan know he wouldn’t be returning next season. Our old friend Charley Breakspear was flashing his red card early again, this time to Ranganathan after only eight minutes. despite that handicap Barnsley took the lead before the Bantams showed some pluck and scratched out a lead. Barnsley though, scrambled, you guessed it, a last minute goal to grab a point that technically keeps them in the race. It doesn’t, but we need them to believe it for upcoming games against Stevenage Luton and Stockport.
Speaking of the newtowners, Stevenage hosted the Cruyff Appreciation Derby with Lincoln City and against all odds scored twice in the game, one for each shot on target. This was not the score Argyle needed but you guessed it, a last minute equaliser gained Lincoln’s scorer, if not the freedom of Plymouth at the very least a road named after him. welcome to Rob Street Street.
Whilst Bolton almost have got the seventy five points they will need, Argyle were putting the Wimbledon to the sword, a favour to our inbred cousins of the North, and they were doing their level best to throw that help back in our faces.
Twice they allowed Stockport the lead. By two nil and then three two. County already have enough games to look nailed on to secure the seventy five points required to ensure a place in the playoffs and a win here would have made it a near certainty. Cue the City reserve keeper burying a ferocious ninety sixth minute equaliser from a corner. Not quite Jimmy Glass levels of drama but potentially season altering. And frustrating as itmight be, giving the six toes hope in their final game, at home to tonight’s opponents, cannot be a bad thing.
We therefore had a weekend where only two top Half sides managed to win, and whilst most also didn’t lose that compresses the table as games run out, only Bolton of the playoff wannabes dont have a game tonight, but their final two games, away to Bradford and home to late charging Luton means they could gain six points or none just as easily.
Argyle go into tonight’s game at Valley Parade knowing a win keeps everyone within reach, with the once unlikely benefit of a strong goal difference meaning catching and equalling Bradford or Stevenage could indeed should be enough. Lose and unless Stevenage suffer a worse implosion in their final games then this will be the charge of the late brigade, glorious but ultimately a failure.
A win tonight puts a giant cat in a roomful of pigeons. It keeps Bolton who follow Argyle to Valley Parade on Saturday, within reach . A draw for both would not be necessarily enough although would be strong for Bolton whose goal difference is the best of the contenders
Tonight sees second best home versus third best away records. Current form favours Argyle, as does the venue historically. And for once so does the injury list withex Green Tyreik Wright, regular scorer Bobby pointon likely to miss out and midfield stalwart Max Power walking a yellow card tightrope. Two more for a three match ban which could neatly ruin his playoff campaign.
The Manchester Messi, Antoni Sarcevic has also been managing his minutes recently, but seems likely to play a part.
argyle have an untold wealth of talent returning, with even joe Ralls potentially returning in time for the play-offs, but Galloway and Ibrahim back in contention, joining th3 already returned wiredu, Pepple, Sorinola and Pleggy.
So Argyle need to better Stevenage by two points over three games is the bottom line.
And no better way to do it than winning a twelfth away match of the season tonight. Just maybe don’t leave it till the last minute, lads.
If they do you might hear the shouts from Sharm
COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
