It’s the second half of this week’s Devon double for Boro’ and it’d be good if this one went our way. After putting in the legwork to get down to Exeter on Tuesday, we were left in no doubt that our time in the Leasing.com Trophy was up. Here we are, however, back at the Stadio del Lamex and looking to make sure that our grand day out at Cambridge last time was no fluke. Of course, the Pilgrims are a bit better than the Us. OK – they’re a lot better. But let’s see what we’ve got on our own patch.
Stevenage v Plymouth Argyle: The Preview…
Plymouth Argyle – who are they?
The Pilgrims? Oh, well, grabbing late goals against us seems to be their ‘thing’. At least, it is at their place. In our last three encounters (all at Home Park), the clock going red hasn’t stopped ’em putting the ball in the back of our net. But a bigger concern should be our run of five straight defeats at their hands. You’ll need to go back as far as September 2015 for the last time we claimed the points. In fact, all the points we’ve ever taken off ’em (just the seven) came in the first three of our eight meetings to date. Bogey club? Yeah, looks like it…
Our Record vs Plymouth Argyle: P 8 — W 2 — D 1 — L 5 — F 10 — A 14 — Pts 7
Last time out: Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Stevenage, 29 December 2019
How are Plymouth Argyle doing so far this season?
It ain’t that long since we last met – but the Pilgrims’ fortunes do look a little different now. As we were limbering up for our long trip down to Devon, Plymouth were scrapping away with others to get themselves into the top seven. A run of three wins in four fixtures since their late winner against us, however, has lifted them up to within a point of the automatic promotion places. And they have a game in hand over Crewe Alexandra, who have the last spot in the top three in their grasp at the moment.
Of course, there’s a long way to go yet. Forest Green are ninth and are only three points back. But the Pilgrims are on the charge. Go back further back past our last meeting and you’ll find it’s six wins in eight (or 10 in 11 if you like it like that). With the third-best attack (43 goals) and sixth-best defence (27), they’re no mugs. They’ve scored in each of their past seven outings and won their last three on the road. Oh, and they’ve found the net at least twice in their last three matches too. Not a lot to warm the cockles, is there…
It’ll be a tough job keeping this lot quiet.
Tell us something we don’t know about Plymouth Argyle
In 2004, the Pilgrims put Chesterfield to the sword in their League One meeting at Home Park; their 7-0 tonking now down in the record books as their (joint) biggest-ever. Five of those goals came in the first 18 minutes, which is bad enough if you were an away fan that day. It’s a long old way for that sort of tomfoolery. But it’s also claimed (via Wikipedia) that Argyle set a new English record for the fastest five goals in a professional match.
Is it a real record? Well, who are we to argue – or even care?
What are the bookies’ odds for this game?
It feels like we’re forced to tell you the same thing with every second game. But our form and league position don’t lie at this stage of the season. So, it’s not much of a surprise to see the Pilgrims are odds-on to win. The best price we saw on an away win is 20/21 (multiple), while we’re priced as far out as 10/3 (Marathon). With Argyle being in the goals in recent times, it’s 7/2 on them scoring more than 2.5 on our turf. But we’re not averse to a goal against this lot; evens (RedZone) on Both Teams To Score? Why not eh?
Don’t forget – be responsible. And when the fun stops, stop.
Which Plymouth Argyle player should we watch out for?
It’s hard not to look past Antoni Sarcevic yet again, with the influential midfielder scoring seven goals and setting up another four so far this season. But, to be different (and ‘cos there’s a good reason to), Luke Jephcott is the man of the moment for the Pilgrims. He only came back from a loan spell from Truro City at the start of the month. But he found himself straight in the side and has now scored four in three matches – with two braces, coming away to Scunthorpe and Carlisle respectively.
Who is our ref for this match?
Sam Purkiss. A new man in the middle us this season, life with Mr Purkiss didn’t get off to a great start; MK Dons tossing us aside in our Leasing.com Trophy encounter earlier this season. That competition doesn’t count for much, however (now that we’re out). So, we’re going to look on this as a fresh start. That MK Dons tie was actually only one of two where Mr Purkiss didn’t dish out any cards. The other one was his last time out, and another MK Dons game don’t you know. But there’ve been no reds from him this term. Yet.
Our Record: P 1 — W 0 — D 0 — L 1 — F 0 — A 3
Last time out: Stevenage 0-3 MK Dons, 03 September 2019
And, finally, what do you reckon?
Now, we said we’d give up putting us down for the win. But GW is the man with a plan for getting us out of the brown stuff. If we focus more on what we did well at Cambridge (and not what we didn’t do so well at Exeter), we could ruffle a few feathers when the Pilgrims come to town. Of course, it could easily go the other way and Argyle ease to a three-goal win. It’s often the hope that does it for you…
Stevenage v Plymouth Argyle scorecast: 2-1
