Busy family day yesterday....so it is with shame that I confess that football was lower down the agenda than usual. Did anyone go ?....I listened to the GoS match recordings and read everything I could find and Argyle seem to hold their own against high flying Oxford....it does seem that if Oxford have a weakness it is dropping points at home....all four league games that they have lost this season have been at home....unbeaten away, They have only conceded 19 goals so far and ironically low scoring Argyle have scored three of them ! Caolan Lavery has now started twice and scored both times....it does seem he gives options for forward balls that we didn't seem to have before and with Rueben Reid up front they could become a good duo.......both at present loanees...although Reid could become more permanent at the end of season. Trouble with Lavery is that if he plays too well his parent club might take him back. Ben Purrington got his chance yesterday with Berry out suspended....surprised some with a start but by all accounts he did well. Consistency seems to be what has been stopping this team from becoming a top half performer.....with building confidence that could change....with other players pushing for regular first team starts the future could be brighter than some of us thought. Next game at Wimbledon...this could be winnable also...their present form isn't too good and they did lose yesterday....so are know below us in the league. Unfortunately being played on Sunday and with family commitments I can't make what would be my nearest game...a disappointment....last year I was there for the 1-1 draw and saw Banton score a lovely goal into the corner just infront of me a real pleasure. Can I wish everyone a successful and profitable new year whatever your circumstances are at the moment.....CHEERS EVERYONE.
Was in a Sports Bar yesterday watching West Ham v Arsenal with one eye on another screen watching the scores come up. Sort of let out a few "geddon"'s in the wrong places and got a couple of strange looks. Bleddy brilliant result and not many would have been expecting that. Have no idea how they played but frankly don't care either. 3 points is 3 points and I'll take them playing any old how away and getting that. Think they may be a bit on the tired side come Sunday. I think their Christmas/New Year programme is a bit unfair to be honest. Oxford followed by Wimbledon is a fair old hike one after the other in a short time. Not fair on the people who follow them either. I still cannot see why they could not have had a full local programme home and away over this time. Even Cheltenham would have been reasonable compared to the other two.
So kicked No.1 son awake to drive us up and after much debate left baby Mex behind expecting a drubbing and not wanting to break his faith so young !!!! Journey up relaxed when not driving and a couple of vodies and coke. Well first up good to see the Army is still on the move met up with a few old faces but better still a lot of new ones. Well what a difference in performance, we took on a good side and beat them well. Few things I took from the match. Reid behind a genuine forward is really good. As first threat he struggles but playing off Lavery, this guy is good for his age, he is a nightmare for defenders picks up loose ball, secondary ball is great and finds good position coming in late. Houri is developing into a class midfielder, despite the Pasoti haters, the difference today against a good side compared to Bury was not a coincidence. He was not the pick of the bunch today by a long shot, Blizzard was, but for his age he could be on a mural coming to a place near us soon. Purri can handle himself at this level end of story. Well deserved 3 points against a genuinely good side.
