So this is our re-arranged game slotted in when nobody much is playing. They have two ex Argyle players who are likely to be on the pitch. So having one is usually bad enough but how do we survive two? Early kick off this time so we will know soon enough. Will they continue their revival or will normal service be the order of the day. I'm going to be optimistic and say the boys can do it. COYG
I think it’s important he sticks to the 4:4:2 even though we have only one senior striker available. They have to mark whoever we put up there and that makes space as it did in the Weirdo Cup. Step up Joe Hatch? He tried Bali Mumba as a “No 10” at one point and that didn’t work. Mumba’s much better out wide. For those unable to attend, it’s on Sky Sports+.
Argyle...0-1...Bradford. Improved performance...??? Stupid penalty...deliberate push in the back. And the inevitable ex-player scores the penalty.....bright moment the other ex-player doesn't score. Mention of empty seats in the Mayflower.....hopefully just Christmas shopping. Cleverley serving out his yellow card by sitting in the stand.
In the absence of Tolaj and Pepple, we didn’t persevere with the two-up-front formation which appeared to me to work well against Orient. Nevertheless, it was a very even, competitive first hour. Bradford were then given a penalty. After a tussle in the Zoo Corner, a Bradford player broke free and carried the ball along the goal line with Peggy in hot pursuit. The former went down and the ref gave a penalty. This is the full length of the pitch from us and I can’t say whether it was or wasn’t. All I will say that with Hazard stationed at the near post and the angle almost non-existent, he’d have done well to score directly from there. With that being so, it was daft to bring him down in the box. Apparently that’s what happened. Towards the end, Ross ended up in a No 9 position and as you’d expect, won a few in the air. Given the success of 4:4:2 at Orient, could we have started like that? Joe Hatch? Desperation I know but these are desperate times. Argyle tried hard to pull a goal back and in doing so, left a lot of space for Bradford to break into. There were a few half chances but it still finished 0-1. Amaechi came on, which is a welcome development, but didn’t really get any openings to run at a defender, which is what he does best. Another game in which we’ve been competitive but come away without a point. I’m beginning to fear the worst unless rabbits are pulled out of the hat in the transfer window.
PS Yes there were a few more empty seats in the Home half of the Barn Park End and the Lower Grandstand. Those are the areas where the occasional attendees sit and the is the first shopping weekend before Xmas with December monthly pay in the bank. I few signs of regulars being absent.
With returning players hopefully strengthening the team....surely results will improve.... If they don't then the management will need to decide if Cleverley is the right man for us.....we have at least a mid-table squad so results should be there.
It was crystal clear from what was said at the Forum that there was no intention to replace the Head Coach.
Continued losing results would surely change that....the green army would expect more leadership than accepting Div Two next season.....because Cleverley position was set in stone ...taking the wife shopping might seem more attractive than a Saturday afternoon of accepted failure.
