Un Match à la Fois: A La Recherche de Teams Perdu
Les Blues du Ciel (Coupe Carabao) (Home, and the closest either side are getting Europe this season)
Marcel Proust, with his classic novel, which translates as “In Search of Lost Time,” would therefore probably been an Argyle fan, because every metric of our history speaks of things we have lost or never achieved over things we have celebrated and enjoyed.
Staying with the French motif, we have reflected before on Napoleon, considered a master tactician, asking not if his Generals were good but “were they lucky?” And did they fight their pre-season battles against proper armies rather than non league militia men?
We, however, still have the hangover of the “where’s the money gone” brigade as if there is some weird back channel draining the cash from the club into some undefined slush fund, rather than simply the well reported fact that the growth in competition at the third tier level, with larger clubs with deeper pockets and, in some cases, subsidies from past glories able to drive up the cost of players and make it harder for those whose millions invested now have to work all the harder to gain the investment needed to compete in a landscape where almost half the clubs in the EFL and Premier League are effectively available for purchase.
Add to that the vociferous minority who refuse to let go of the erroneous notion that the investment in Foulston Park is in some way inextricably linked with the size of the clubs budget and trading debt, despite all the evidence and actual statements that confirm the contrary is the only truth.
And if those theories aren’t enough to test the sanity of the fanbase as well as the ownership, cue the fifth minute of the away game at Adams Park. One day after the sale of Brendan Wiredu, a good honest pro who wanted to find a home that gave him minutes rather than a place on the bench, comes an injury to the never injured Malachi Boateng. Damaged knee ligaments which will keep him sidelined for a sizeable period almost immediately rolled into the “what are we doing in training that means we get so many injuries,” despite the fact this is a contact injury to our least injury prone player.
Losing such a key player so early against a side that belies their appearance with a billionaire absentee owner prepared to fund their ground and squad, could have seen heads drop, In fact Argyle played some of their best football this season, including a spell where the ball stayed in contact with the grass until new number nine Will Evans took a tidy touch, after slick passes from Amaechi and Ibrahim and gave former Pilgrim Hazard no chance with a fine first goal in green, or at least whatever that third strip colour is on the Farrow & Ball chart anyway.
The second half saw a reversion to type, and eventually the deep defending coughed up a cheap free kick which resulted in a cheaper headed equaliser. A point at Adams Park though, is never a bad one, and with Tom C promising two new players to arrive on Monday and other players such as Edwards, Finn and McKenzie approaching fitness at long last even the extended bench of the Carabao Cup shouldn’t prove to be a bridge too far.
The arrival of the Sky Blues of Coventry provides both hope and frustration.
Hope in that Coventry were one of those perennial sides who frequent the Championship, only occasionally threatening to achieve escape velocity. A side which Argyle can, and indeed did beat on their last meeting at Home Park.
Frustration in that despite making it to the top and gaining Premier League status last season, the season before Coventry managed to throw away the points at Luton to allow Argyle to be relegated before the final two games. And the bloke who did it was the Coventry keeper who played a blinder to keep us out for ages before Bundt and Hardie broke down the doors.
The reality therefore is that we will probably see both sides resting players. City as they have already come to realise the harsh reality of the gap between decent Championship side and a Premier League winner in a three nil defeat at the Emirates where Arsenal strolled to an easy victory.
Argyle because they have a squad depleted by injuries, will have two new warm bodies in the building in the shape of ex loanee Tyreeq Backinson and Spurs protege Oliver Irow, last seen playing alongside Will Evans at Mansfield, plus a group of players that need to get up and running having not started either game so far.
Neither side has a great record in the competition, with both having reached two semi-finals since its inception. This will be the two sides first meeting in the competition. City the more recent of these as Argyle’s last League Cup semi was 52 years ago.
In terms of players who have moved between the clubs, probably the best traffic has headed west with Argyle enjoying the fruits of Neil Ramsbottom, Ernie Machin, Billy Rafferty and Ruben Lameiras. City have also enjoyed a taste of Marc Edworthy. Luke McCormick was also a Coventry lad before heading West to make his league debut for Argyle.
We will also probably once again see KKH who arrived at City after his time at Preston following his loan spell in the Championship at Argyle. Always a whole hearted player he is one of the squad players from last seasons stunning promotion who will now be leapfrogged by the revamped squad in the attempt to hold on the the exalted Premier League status.
We may also see Gustavo Hamer who having left City for Sheffield United (along with Callum O’Hare), has now returned to Coventry Building Society Arena (and not, as a recent BBC Sport report called it, the Coventry Building Site Arena)
Hard therefore to make a call on what the ambition should be for Argyle. Bedding in new players, blooding the youth, minutes in the legs of the previous benchwarmers, protect the main assets from further dame or rest the ones that looked out on their feet by the end of Saturdays fixture.
Probably the template best suited would be the Palace game from a couple of seasons back when Argyle stunned their Premier League visitors with two magnificent goals, before the bench reinforcements, notably Eze and Mateta, transformed a two nil deficit to a three two lead in five chaotic minutes, with a late hat-trick completing fourth for the then out of favour forward Matete to start his redemption arc at Palace. Although, to be fair, that arc is currently in tatters as he tries to tear up his contract option.
It might be a way for new City striker Cherif Sidiki to make an impression after his introduction interview saw him describe what was best in his game in three words with "I like Pizza". Imagine him paired with Jason Lee, of the pineapple on his head chant fame.
No news if Argentine Coventry superfan Lauti, is having a trip to Home Park subbed by Tom Grennan, as the pop star did for the Play Off final game against Luton that clinched Town’s Premier League. The South American Coventry supporter was going to sell his car to fund the trip when Grennan stepped in to pay for his transport for the transatlantic trip, or as even Argyle fans would call it, a long old poke. City lost of course, although the following seasons title charge no doubt compensated.
Most Argyle fans will settle for an injury free close match either way as we await the arrival of hundred percenters Bradford City at the weekend.
Players coming back will help, and given Coventry is the alleged birthplace of St George we will just have to be glad we haven’t been asked to wear the Wrexham home kit for Sky, just as Chelsea were once forced to wear Citys away kit when they forget their change strip at Highfield Road, and went down to a three one defeat under Ruud Gullit.
In keeping with the opening titles, Allez le Verts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Les Blues du Ciel (Coupe Carabao) (Home, and the closest either side are getting Europe this season)
Marcel Proust, with his classic novel, which translates as “In Search of Lost Time,” would therefore probably been an Argyle fan, because every metric of our history speaks of things we have lost or never achieved over things we have celebrated and enjoyed.
Staying with the French motif, we have reflected before on Napoleon, considered a master tactician, asking not if his Generals were good but “were they lucky?” And did they fight their pre-season battles against proper armies rather than non league militia men?
We, however, still have the hangover of the “where’s the money gone” brigade as if there is some weird back channel draining the cash from the club into some undefined slush fund, rather than simply the well reported fact that the growth in competition at the third tier level, with larger clubs with deeper pockets and, in some cases, subsidies from past glories able to drive up the cost of players and make it harder for those whose millions invested now have to work all the harder to gain the investment needed to compete in a landscape where almost half the clubs in the EFL and Premier League are effectively available for purchase.
Add to that the vociferous minority who refuse to let go of the erroneous notion that the investment in Foulston Park is in some way inextricably linked with the size of the clubs budget and trading debt, despite all the evidence and actual statements that confirm the contrary is the only truth.
And if those theories aren’t enough to test the sanity of the fanbase as well as the ownership, cue the fifth minute of the away game at Adams Park. One day after the sale of Brendan Wiredu, a good honest pro who wanted to find a home that gave him minutes rather than a place on the bench, comes an injury to the never injured Malachi Boateng. Damaged knee ligaments which will keep him sidelined for a sizeable period almost immediately rolled into the “what are we doing in training that means we get so many injuries,” despite the fact this is a contact injury to our least injury prone player.
Losing such a key player so early against a side that belies their appearance with a billionaire absentee owner prepared to fund their ground and squad, could have seen heads drop, In fact Argyle played some of their best football this season, including a spell where the ball stayed in contact with the grass until new number nine Will Evans took a tidy touch, after slick passes from Amaechi and Ibrahim and gave former Pilgrim Hazard no chance with a fine first goal in green, or at least whatever that third strip colour is on the Farrow & Ball chart anyway.
The second half saw a reversion to type, and eventually the deep defending coughed up a cheap free kick which resulted in a cheaper headed equaliser. A point at Adams Park though, is never a bad one, and with Tom C promising two new players to arrive on Monday and other players such as Edwards, Finn and McKenzie approaching fitness at long last even the extended bench of the Carabao Cup shouldn’t prove to be a bridge too far.
The arrival of the Sky Blues of Coventry provides both hope and frustration.
Hope in that Coventry were one of those perennial sides who frequent the Championship, only occasionally threatening to achieve escape velocity. A side which Argyle can, and indeed did beat on their last meeting at Home Park.
Frustration in that despite making it to the top and gaining Premier League status last season, the season before Coventry managed to throw away the points at Luton to allow Argyle to be relegated before the final two games. And the bloke who did it was the Coventry keeper who played a blinder to keep us out for ages before Bundt and Hardie broke down the doors.
The reality therefore is that we will probably see both sides resting players. City as they have already come to realise the harsh reality of the gap between decent Championship side and a Premier League winner in a three nil defeat at the Emirates where Arsenal strolled to an easy victory.
Argyle because they have a squad depleted by injuries, will have two new warm bodies in the building in the shape of ex loanee Tyreeq Backinson and Spurs protege Oliver Irow, last seen playing alongside Will Evans at Mansfield, plus a group of players that need to get up and running having not started either game so far.
Neither side has a great record in the competition, with both having reached two semi-finals since its inception. This will be the two sides first meeting in the competition. City the more recent of these as Argyle’s last League Cup semi was 52 years ago.
In terms of players who have moved between the clubs, probably the best traffic has headed west with Argyle enjoying the fruits of Neil Ramsbottom, Ernie Machin, Billy Rafferty and Ruben Lameiras. City have also enjoyed a taste of Marc Edworthy. Luke McCormick was also a Coventry lad before heading West to make his league debut for Argyle.
We will also probably once again see KKH who arrived at City after his time at Preston following his loan spell in the Championship at Argyle. Always a whole hearted player he is one of the squad players from last seasons stunning promotion who will now be leapfrogged by the revamped squad in the attempt to hold on the the exalted Premier League status.
We may also see Gustavo Hamer who having left City for Sheffield United (along with Callum O’Hare), has now returned to Coventry Building Society Arena (and not, as a recent BBC Sport report called it, the Coventry Building Site Arena)
Hard therefore to make a call on what the ambition should be for Argyle. Bedding in new players, blooding the youth, minutes in the legs of the previous benchwarmers, protect the main assets from further dame or rest the ones that looked out on their feet by the end of Saturdays fixture.
Probably the template best suited would be the Palace game from a couple of seasons back when Argyle stunned their Premier League visitors with two magnificent goals, before the bench reinforcements, notably Eze and Mateta, transformed a two nil deficit to a three two lead in five chaotic minutes, with a late hat-trick completing fourth for the then out of favour forward Matete to start his redemption arc at Palace. Although, to be fair, that arc is currently in tatters as he tries to tear up his contract option.
It might be a way for new City striker Cherif Sidiki to make an impression after his introduction interview saw him describe what was best in his game in three words with "I like Pizza". Imagine him paired with Jason Lee, of the pineapple on his head chant fame.
No news if Argentine Coventry superfan Lauti, is having a trip to Home Park subbed by Tom Grennan, as the pop star did for the Play Off final game against Luton that clinched Town’s Premier League. The South American Coventry supporter was going to sell his car to fund the trip when Grennan stepped in to pay for his transport for the transatlantic trip, or as even Argyle fans would call it, a long old poke. City lost of course, although the following seasons title charge no doubt compensated.
Most Argyle fans will settle for an injury free close match either way as we await the arrival of hundred percenters Bradford City at the weekend.
Players coming back will help, and given Coventry is the alleged birthplace of St George we will just have to be glad we haven’t been asked to wear the Wrexham home kit for Sky, just as Chelsea were once forced to wear Citys away kit when they forget their change strip at Highfield Road, and went down to a three one defeat under Ruud Gullit.
In keeping with the opening titles, Allez le Verts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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