ARGYLE v Exeter City F.C 16-8-14

So a new season has crept up on us quite nicely, thanks largely to an entertaining World Cup in Brazil.

Considering England went home on the first flight back to London, which even for me was earlier than I expected.

I enjoyed the World Cup and was pretty happy to see the likes of Chile, Costa Rica and Colombia all putting in a good showing against the might of Brazil, Uruguay and Holland.

I think in the end German efficiency again showed what football is all about, CONSISTANCY.

Anyway enough of all this about World Cups its two games into the REAL season.

Having missed the first game of the season away to Cambridge and the midweek loss on penalties in the league cup to Leyton Orient it was time for this seasons one and only home Devon derby.

Our first home game of the season since Torquay and Bristol Rovers have both fallen out of the football League.

So after a week of local and national press pushing a #wallofcolour at all football league clubs, I turned up with my brother Rob, brother in law James and Nephew Harvey, sporting his first Argyle shirt.

The idea of the #wallofcolour is a pretty new concept and seems to be well received amongst most clubs a couple of times a season.

Personally I prefer a wall of flags rather than coloured pieces of bin bags but must admist it looks pretty effective.

Anyway so after losing our first game away to Cambridge who have returned after a nine year exile from the football league 1-0 on the opening day of the season, our second game of the season against our old foes hopefully has shown what can be achieved this season with a bit of hard work and consistency in which I believe is John Sheridan's pivotal season to prove to the Green Army he has what it takes to get us up and out of the lowest rung of the football league ladder.

So with 11'418 all set for the off, Roger East a Premier League ref got the game underway,

With only 5 players in the starting 11 remaining from the last game of the season in a 3-3 draw away to Portsmouth, its always exciting to see how all these new players are going to start their new career's as Pilgrims.

So as the sun shone down on HP the nerves and excitement crept into my mind as always with the anticipation of another good season about to embark, Will we finally start the turnaround of fortunes after a dismal 5 years.

So off we went popping the ball around like Barcelona, It didn't take long for us to really start taking the game to the Grecians and getting carried away thinking this is going to be the season we really push on, Argyle really set up well playing a 4-2-3-1 against an Exeter City who dominated us only in March playing a 3-5-2.

The formations were really helping us get on the front foot and it didn't take long to make the early pressure give us an early chance.

A corner after a few minutes of early pressure fell right onto the head of new Argyle captain Curtis Nelson crashing his effort off the bar and then scrambled away by the defence.

At the time I was worried we may come to rue the chance but it was only a sign of how the afternoon would pan out acting as a springboard for us to mount attack after attack without much response.

It wasn't long before Banton was terrorizing the fullbacks before getting cynically chopped down time and time again until finally one was in range,

So on only his 7th start up steps Tyler Harvey , A product of Argyle youth set up and free-scoring midfield/striker, places the ball down and hits an unstoppable free kick over the wall and beyond the keeper into the top left hand corner.

One Nil,

This only seemed to spur us on further with Banton and Harvey really causing all sorts of problems,
And it wasn't long before Harvey once again played the decisive pass between two defenders for Reid to slot a second low and hard past a rushing keeper.

Two Nil,

After going two up we seemed happy to pop the ball around forcing Tisdale to change his system and players at half time.

The second half started a much more even contest.

Exeter changed their shape and did cause us some more problems in the second half but rarely threatened McCormick's goal and to me showing they look like being destined to a hard season, It showed when Argyle made changes bringing on fresh hungry faces on,  Marvin Morgan for the impressive and prolific Reuben Reid at 70 minutes who had showed his raw strength and power and eye for goal all night , River Allen on at 76 minutes for the versatile and busy Tyler Harvey who continues to impress with each outing.

Alessandra who was brought down 60 yards out allowed Argyle to clip a dangerous free kick into the box from deep causing big problems for a ragged City defence and rookie keeper Christy Pym making only his 9th appearance after the release of Artur Krysiak in the summer,

Pym who seemed to struggle all afternoon dropped the free kick in a packed box to leave the new Argyle captain Curtis Nelson to hook the ball in from 6 yards.

Three Nil,

After the restart Banton was replaced by Nathan Thomas and the game was over giving us a platform to really kick on.

I think if this season is to be a success we HAVE TO at a minimum make the playoffs though I feel for most, anything less then promotion be it playoffs or automatic will be a failure and will ultimately cost JS his job if we don't go up.

The Green Army have been through enough and they're starting to lose patience!

This season I will also rate all the Argyle players of every game I attend and will use this to tally up my player of the year come May.

McCormick, 7
Mellor,          7
Nelson,          8
Hartley,         7
McHugh,       7
Alessandra,   7
O'Connor,      8
Norburn ,       9
Banton,          8                      (Thomas 85),   6
Harvey,         8                       (Allen 76),       6
Reid,             8                       (Morgan71).     7

 

Non-playing subs: James Bittner, Ben Purrington, Dominic Blizzard, Deane Smalley.

Semper Fidelis.

What's Hampering The England Side?

 

Due to the fact we're now in a World Cup year it wont be long before the nation gets gripped in the usual excitement of world cup fever, Or will it?

Recent national tournaments have been a nightmare due to many factors, and the reasons for England's failures at the biggest stage in the world is often the cause of discussion before, during and after the finals.

I will try to give my opinion to why we are still waiting 48 years later since we lasted tasted glory.
The quarter final seems to be now regarded as a successful showing similar to gaining 4th Champions League spot in the Premiership, to me this is a sign of failure and just one reason we're doomed before we even jump on the plane to Brazil.

I've recently done a lot of research into what I regard as the reasons behind our 48 year drought, firstly after being interested in coaching myself I believe we are country miles away from where we should be in comparison to other top footballing nations.

The FA have recently spent a massive amount of money on St Georges Park, £105 million based on Howard Wilkinsons findings whilst FA Technical Director, Wilkinson visited all National Football Centre's and decided to follow the model in France at Clairefontaine Paris.

Why they chose to use Clairefontaine as the example to follow is presumably because it nurtured the 1998 World Champions and 2000 European Champions.

This is in my opinion the reason why we're miles apart from Spain, Germany, France and Italy, We have only just realised that our facilities and actual amount of coaches are way behind.

Below is a few figures I have researched and were published circa 2010,

The UEFA Badges B, A and PRO badges in numbers below show the real reason why we're behind our European neighbours.

Germany      34,970
Italy              29,420
Spain           23,995
France         17,558
England        2,769

And the cost for obtaining these badges vary massively, I could only find figures for 2013 for the following three,

Licence                                    Average Cost

UEFA A

England         1,170                    £ 5,800
Spain             12,720                  € 1,200
Germany        5,500                    €   530

UEFA Top Pro Licence Held

England        203
Spain            2,140
Germany      1,000+

These figures are really worrying and I really hope that St George's goes some way to helping us playing catch up and our young players progress like our foreign neighbours.

I know the main arguement against these points are about the influx of foreign players playing in our top flight but I truly believe the reasons mentioned above are the real reason for our failure to bring FOOTBALL HOME.

Anyway I will still have the Football Fever disease come kick off in Brazil but its more wishful thinking.

Semper Fidelis

Top 6 Spending In The Wenger Era

 

The last few seasons the press and supporters have called for Wenger's head after every season has come and gone leaving Arsenal trophy less going into the 9th season without any silverware, But should we be surprised?

I've been backing Wenger to bring trophies and the glory days back to Arsenal since Vieira lifted the FA Cup after defeating United on penalties in Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in May 2005.

I've often tried deflecting criticism of Wenger by so called Arsenal and all football fans who have called for his head after every trophy less season has passed.

In the cold light of day I believe the fact that Arsene has even kept them in touch of the top 6 a remarkable feat and the reason is all to do with the money he has spent as outlined in my extensive research below tries to prove.

I know many will never agree to my point but the I have tried telling many a friend / colleague / family etc and the response i normally receive is at a club like Arsenal he has to win trophies. Though i agree to some extent I honestly believe without Wenger Arsenal would be lucky to be making it into the Europa League not playing their 16th Champions League campaign in a row.

Below is in my opinion the top 6 teams in the Premier League that have spent big and what Arsenal and Wenger are up against season after season and the end financial amounts hopefully but Arsenal and Wenger's last 8 years into perspective.

                Arsenal        Man Utd        Chelsea        Liverpool        Man City        Spurs

96/97      
Spent        5.3               9.2                13.7               3.0                   3.4                 4.6
Sold          12.8             7.0                 3.7                9.2                   2.1                 2.1
                + 7.4            -2.9                -9.9               +6.1                -1.3                -3.7
97/98
Spent       19.3            11.9                15.6               16.3                6.9                 13.3
Sold          1.0               1.0                 2.2                 2.2                 1.3                   5.0
                 -18.3           -10.9              -13.4             -14.1               -5.6                 -8.3
98/99
Spent        16.5            39.0                23.4              11.8                0.9                   8.6
Sold           0.6              5.3                 11.2               6.2                 9.6                   1.6
                 -15.9           -33.7               -12.2             -5.6                +8.7                 -7.0
99/00
Spent        19.9             7.0                 29.8               45.0               8.9                  15.0
Sold           36.5            0.3                  6.1                15.6                0.9                   1.6
                 +16.6           -6.7                -23.7              -29.4             -8.0                  -13.4
00/01
Spent         49.5            10.3                44.4               30.0              11.4                 22.6
Sold           55.4             8.7                 34.0               10.2               1.0                    2.1
                  +5.9            -1.6                 -10.4              -19.8             -10.4               -20.5
01/02
Spent         28.7             75.5               39.5               27.5               20.9                 24.6
Sold            7.2              44.5               11.5               25.2                5.8                    8.5
                  -21.5            -31.0              -28.0              -2.3               -15.1               -16.1  
02/03
Spent          9.4              42.5                0                   27.7               38.7                 9.2
Sold            10.6            3.4                  2.8                10.1               1.0                   1.2
                   +1.2            -39.1              +2.8               -17.6             -37.7                -8.0
03/04
Spent          25.1            48.5               151.5              13.7              14.5                26.2
Sold            1.0               52.8                0.8                   0                  5.8                 1.5
                   -24.1           +4.3               -150.7             -13.7             -8.7                -24.7 
04/05
Spent          10.5            53.9                142.5              51.4              1.3                  41.5
Sold            3.4               8.4                  29.0               21.6              10.3                 9.2
                   -18.5           -21.0               -50.8              -22.0             +17.6              -32.3
05/06
Spent          40.5            28.0                 80.7               38.7              11.0                 32.1
Sold            22.0            7.0                   29.9               16.7              28.6                19.9
                   -18.5          -21.0                 -50.8              -22.0            +17.6               -12.2
06/07
Spent          13.2            24.0                  83.3              40.5                6.6                 53.7
Sold             14.1           20.2                  46.3              18.5                3.6                 34.0  
                   +0.9            -3.8                  -37.0              -22.0              -3.0                -19.7
07/08
Spent           27.5           91.0                  54.5               80.0              68.6                 82.9
Sold             50.2           38.6                   39.3              40.0               9.0                  19.9
                    +22.7         -52.4                -15.2              -40.0             -59.6                -63.0
08/09
Spent           35.3            39.8                 26.8               62.5              138.5              125.3
Sold             22.7             6.5                   39.2              40.5                23.4                77.8
                    -12.6           -33.3               +12.4              -22.0            -115.0              -47.5
09/10
Spent           10.5             24.1                 26.4               38.3              129.6              35.5
Sold              41.9            91.9                  3.5                44.3               27.2               28.0
                    +34.4          +67.8               -22.9               +6.0              -102.4             -7.5
10/11
Spent            20.2            25.7                111.3              85.9               160.5              23.0
Sold               9.4             16.1                  14.5               89.3                33.1               2.5
                     -10.8            -9.6                 -96.8              -3.4               -127.4            -20.5 
11/12
Spent            57.6            50.4                  91.4               58.5                83.5               8.3
Sold              68.9            13.7                  28.5               20.2                26.1               38.0     
                    +11.3          -36.7                 -62.9              -38.3               -57.4             +29.7
12/13
Spent            46.6            67.2                 101.3              59.5                54.5               64.5
Sold              50.1            13.3                  22.4                9.1                 39.0               59.6
                    +3.5            -53.9                 -78.9              -50.4               -15.5              -4.9
13/14
Spent            45.5            69.4                  112.8             50.2                102.0            107.2
Sold              11.3             1.5                    63.2              28.6                  10.3            110.8
                    -34.2           -67.9                  -49.6             -21.6                -91.7            +3.6

So in 18 Premier League Season this shows suprisingly to most who have never really looked at the cold hard facts that Wenger has not only spent the least out of the above clubs and by quite a margin he has also the smallest net loss. And considering that spans over 18 seasons maybe people should have a look over this and really have a good thing what they want from their club!

18 Seasons     Arsenal        Man Utd        Chelsea      Liverpool          Man City            Spurs
Spent               481.1            718.1            1.148.9          740.5                861.7                697.9
Sold                  419.1           340.2               587.9          417.0                231.3                420.5
Net Loss           -62.0            -377.9            -561.0          -323.5               -630.4               -227.4

Managers           1                    2                    12                6                       8                        10

Plymouth Argyle 1 - 0 Exeter City , Sat 30 March 2013

Never has a Devon Derby been as important as this for Argyle. Flirting with relegation from the football league for most of the season whilst Exeter looking to establish a playoff spot there was plenty to play for.
So the scene was set for the 60th Football League meeting between the Devon clubs with the sun shining on Home Park and the highest league 2 attendance this season of 13'251 we were hopeful that we wouldn't choke.
The game like most home games started very scrappy as you could sense the nerves of the players in front of the leagues highest attendance was apparent.
Eventually after the opening 15 minutes we settled down and started passing the ball around nicely with Reid occupying the lone striker role which is a thankless task at the best of times. This did however give plenty of space to Banton and Gurrieri
and with Hourihane dominating the midfield against previous Argyle loanee Moseley it was only a matter of time before the breakthrough. A nothing ball in the 45th minute into Bantons feet and the Palace Loanee with his back to goal turned and nut megged Baldwin and then pulled his shot in off the keepers left post from 18 yards leaving Krysiac no chance in the City goal.
The rest of the game didn't have many chances albeit one for Cureton from 12 yards smashed high and wide and one from Reuben Reid right down Krysiac's throat.
Argyle closed city down all over the park and have put a dent in City's aspirations and hope in our survival fight.
We have now won 3 in a row for the first time in along time.Next up for us is York away on Easter Monday who are having problems of their own having not won in their last 16 games and sacking manager Gary Mills along the way.
On January 1st York were 12 point ahead of the relegation places but have since only picked up eight points from a possible 48 dropping them to 23 in the table.
The did manage a point against Bristol Rovers on Easter Saturday in a 0-0 draw but hopefully we can put a nail in the coffin today and pull ourselves clear.

Semper Fidelis