Argyle deservedly took all three points to record much needed back to back victories. The first 30mins were mediocre at best as both sides struggled to come to terms with storm force winds blowing athwartships at a chilly home park. The only effort that came close to a goal was by Nelson who rocketed a header against the upright- the only problem was it was at the wrong end and was perilously close to a spectacular OG. Not quite sure what happened then but the midfield seemed to open up a bit allowing Argyle to use the full width of the pitch and we played well for the rest of the match. 3 or 4 decent chances were carved out before half time but a combination of wayward headers and shots, and some good saves from Matt Duke who was undoubtedly Northampton's MOTM kept the score at 0-0 at the break. Rueben Reid had his standing foot taken out by a defender but the shouts for a penalty were waved away by the half decent ref presumably because Reid wasn't in possession of the ball. The visitors started the second half brightly forcing a good save out of LM at his near post in the first couple of minutes. Argyle continued to press and made more chances with Reid and Alessandra both coming close. Branston was subbed after a couple of ropey bits of defending and an unjustified yellow card. Clearly not happy he grabbed his tracksuit and flounced off down the tunnel- quiet amusing for a man of his build..... Mccormick came close to scoring from a misdirected free kick that Matt Duke had to be at full stretch to catch. Hayes and Young were introduced to good effect - Hayes set up a chance for Alessandra who failed to make contact from 6 yards with the goal gaping. Just as it looked like another blank we scored a good but simple goal. Luke Young played one of his trademark straight passes to Ruebin Reid who superbly timed his perfectly weighted pass to Alessandra on the overlap and the ball was in the bottom corner of the net. The full time whistle went 5 mins later for a richly deserved 3 points. The sponsor's MOTM went to Alessandra presumably for his goal as I wasn't convinced about the rest of his performance. For me it should have been Reid or Nelson. Reid had his best game that I have seen and Nelson looked assured playing in midfield. Up to just 17th position as everyone else down the bottom had decent results, but at least we can look up the table instead of down for a change.
Agree with you Lyndhurst, Argyle definitely looked the better side and had the balance of play. Branston looked very rusty and I was glad to see him go off. The card was a travesty and that lino also failed to spot what I though was an Argyle penalty for a push on Reid when he had a good chance of a headed goal in the first half. Too much long ball in the first half particularly when it was singularly ineffective in the teeth of a strong wind. McCormick struggled to reach the half way line in the first half but was plonking it up to the edge of their penalty box in the second. There's still a lack of balance in the side though, which is manifest by a lack of penetration on the wings. Several times we had good possession wide but were forced back rather than breaking through. For me, it's Boco or Alsessandra but not both and we started with 6 defenders: Berry, Reckord, Branston, Trotman, Blanchard and Nelson. MOM for me: Berry (again) or McCormick, who just gives you confidence there aren't going to any easy goals against.
You are correct about the balance. On current performance I think Reckord and Brano are the weak links- Reckord's positional play is woeful and he just abdicates any defensive responsibility; and as much as I like Brano, other than his headers he doesn't seem to have much to offer at the moment. For large parts it was far from a good performance but considering the conditions, three points and the positive attitude of the players gives hope for the rest of the season.
You are correct about the balance. On current performance I think Reckord and Brano are the weak links- Reckord's positional play is woeful and he just abdicates any defensive responsibility; and as much as I like Brano, other than his headers he doesn't seem to have much to offer at the moment. For large parts it was far from a good performance but considering the conditions, three points and the positive attitude of the players gives hope for the rest of the season.
You are correct about the balance. On current performance I think Reckord and Brano are the weak links- Reckord's positional play is woeful and he just abdicates any defensive responsibility too often; and as much as I like Brano, other than his headers he doesn't seem to have much to offer at the moment. For large parts it was far from a good performance but considering the conditions, three points and the positive attitude of the players gives hope for the rest of the season.
It was so good you said it thrice lyndhurst. Bit late posting tonight but was watching a film until 20 minutes ago. Good result even if the game was a tad laboured for me. Deserved the points and it was no fluke. Agree that Alessandra did little apart from his goal. Bocco did even less and the more I see of him the more I think he is a waste of space. I think he has had one decent half of football since he's been here. Ref failed to give Reid a penalty and it was a nailed on one. If Ref thought otherwise then he should have booked him for simulation. Lino was useless as per. Also agree that it was funny watching Branston go off. Quite the little tiff I thought but how sweet he looked flouncing. To be fair he had made more than one cock up prior to that and even if his booking was a joke he wasn't doing that well. Beginning to remind me a bit of Purse. Did really well for a while and then went off the boil and started making errors. Still, happy tonight. One thing I would add. McCormick is probably the best keeper in this league by a mile. We are lucky to have him despite the history.
Hi Guys....back from Malta again...a much needed win and long may it last but a new striker would be much appreciated. Tks for your reports all.
There can be such a fine line between success and failure......so it is with our single goal wins away to Mansfield and at home to Northampton. Certainly cutting it fine with goals in the 93rd minute away and the 90th minute at home. Imagine the despair if the last three games had all ended 0-0, pressure would have been mounting on John Sheridan and his team. With Paul Hayes having completed his loan spell yesterday,without too much to show for it will Sheridan try and keep him longer. It was mentioned by Sheridan that after the match he would be having a chat with him....will he be staying or going back to Brentford. Sheridan has had no luck in bringing in any new strikers....so he might feel obliged to offer him another term here......a possible sign of desperation.....Allessandra seems to be the nearest we have to a goalscorer, having amassed the princely sum of 4 goals this season. We are depending far too much on our defence at the moment.....they are doing a fine job.....being marshalled well by Luke McCormick who must be the best goalkeeper in the two lower divisions. We cannot go on depending on clean sheets week after week it will build up pressure on them....and injuries could bring a sudden change in their fortunes and this is with Branston not looking so dependable has last season. Will Sheridan find a goalscorer out there to bring in.....even if Hayes stays we still need that goalscorer and so help the defence in their task of making Argyle a reliable winning team.
It's not all about the strikers Plymborn: the structure of the team is such that we don't make enough GOOD chances. I don't know how many times Reckord got pushed back from promising positions because he doesn't have that bit extra to go past the last man. To be fair to him, he is a full back being played out of position. Alessandra looks more like someone who wants to play as a second striker than a winger but we have Boco there. As I said, one of the other but for me, not both. Reid worked very hard and was manhandled everytime the ball came to him. He's strong and works hard. With better service, he might do better. He did thump one over the bar from the edge of the box which he ought to have got on target but that was about the only clean chance he had without a defender's arm around his neck.
I don't agree with this depending on the defence too much. There are two sides to a decent team. One is having a mean defence and the other is having a prolific forward line with the midfield bit helping out at both ends where required. We have one half of a good team is the way I like to look at it with a mean defence. If the other end could click then we would be a real force. Don't think Hayes is out answer. Not done anywhere near enough for me in his games. Reid is a much better proposition even if he doesn't score much. He does put in a shift and as notdistant points out he often is being assaulted by the opposition everytime the ball gets anywhere near. Mind you he does enough assaulting back. You must have been at this one notdistant. My answer is give the boy a chance. Not just the odd 15 minutes as sub but from the start and for a run of at least 3 matches. Lets see what he can do and if he is as good as we like to think he is then he will rise to it. Sheridan take a chance.
Ignoring the "wing backs we've already discussed, the only one who impressed me in midfield was Curtis Nelson, which, given he's a centre back as far as I'm aware. That tells you a lot....... That's until Young came on.
