rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 14, 2019 6:33:59 GMT
First match at Plainmoor since our championship trophy presentation and a step up in quality to league opposition although the gap between our clubs was reduced from three to one division last season which gives hope that this will a league fixture again soon.
Results don’t mean that much at this time of year but Plymouth started with a 1-0 loss at Truro on Tuesday and followed that up with a 2-0 win against Plymouth Parkway on Saturday. They seem to play with a 3-5-2 formation so will be a bit of a battle in the midfield area and will be interesting to see how 4-4-2 matches up to this if indeed that is how Johnson will play it as with problems at left back he could match this formation and play Hall, Little and Vincent together. To get a third central defender though, Hall may have to go back in defence and Andrews more centrally with Keating and Kalala on the wings?
Over a thousand attendance at Buckland and hopefully we will at least double that at Plainmoor with 1824 at the corresponding fixture this time last year where we lost 1-0. Survivors from that day include Davis and Dickson who are most likely out but also Cameron and Niate in defence, Wynter, Keating, Reid and Koszela.
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 16, 2019 22:13:27 GMT
We didn’t just double the Bucklund attendance we actually trebled it with 3382 of which 1394 were away fans, many of whom were still queueing all the way back to Warbro Road as the game was about to kick off. There is still a warm afterglow at Plainmoor after our championship win and we started with a strong side only differing from last season with Duku and Little being direct and more than competent replacements for Lemonheigh-Evans and Janneh. Vincent stood in at left back.
It was actually Plymouth that got on the scoresheet first after a small nudge saw Little slip giving their striker free reign to run towards the edge of our area and shoot hard and low into the bottom right corner to the delight of the way support. The equaliser wasn’t long in coming and a superb freekick was taken by Little from out on the left hitting the underside of the bar right in the top corner to bounce behind the line for a top-notch goal. I am going to enjoy him stepping up to take free kicks this season!
Just five minutes later things got even better when Kalala got in on the act and was quite cleverly put through on the right and his cross took a slight deflection that fell straight to Reid who was able to clinically finish off into the corner of the goal. Next it was the turn of Duku who worked hard all night and was a constant threat and on this occasion he got through one-on-one with the keeper but was tackled from behind by the defender and for some reason the referee was the only person in the ground who did not think it was a penalty. Duku got in another one on one position but this time his shot was well blocked by their keeper. So just 2-1 up at half-time but we were clearly the better side even though Plymouth had a number of half chances.
For the second half we substituted Hall and Andrews off and brought on Keating on the left wing and Buse to play in midfield this time. Plymouth rather frustratingly seem to substitute a player every few minutes throughout the half. The new rule of walking to the nearest touch line was implemented. We seemed to grow in confidence as the match progressed partly due to having a settled team from last season but also on the pitch for the majority of the match. Kalala seem to be unplayable at times and those moves where he seemed to ghost through defences last season were coming off against higher opposition that could not handle him. Reid scored another which was ruled offside with Keating adjudged to have headed a cross back inside from the far post in an offside position.
Later on in the match, Kalala finally got the goal he deserved after Torquay broke away from a Plymouth corner with Duku taking the ball and crossing to Kalala who was in acres of space and finished with aplomb. As an attacking side we look very good and I forecast many goals at Plainmoor this season. Wynter and Cameron look strong in defence and a fit again Davis will balance things more. Niate was generally fine tonight and did a job but still needs to improve certain areas. Little showed us what he can do and is a good signing. Duku and Reid looks a very promising partnership and will cause a lot of problems.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 17, 2019 6:24:23 GMT
Some official reviews of this match. Plymouth match reportTorquay match reportGoal highlights Even the Plymouth review reported there was clear contact for the penalty incident. With the context that the tackle was from behind and didn’t get the ball, a very poor decision- thank goodness it was a PSF |
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Jul 17, 2019 8:39:57 GMT
Some official reviews of this match. Plymouth match reportTorquay match reportGoal highlights Even the Plymouth review reported there was clear contact for the penalty incident. With the context that the tackle was from behind and didn’t get the ball, a very poor decision- thank goodness it was a PSF He was fecking' clueless along with the popside lino. Left back situation needs to be sorted quickly, Vincent ain't no left back, Argyle's player Sawyer had the freedom of that side of the park... Hope Niate's injury was cramp or something... Anyone know why the reserve keeper named as starting, didn't? |
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petef
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Post by petef on Jul 17, 2019 10:43:47 GMT
Couldn't make the game unfortunately but Into our pre season stride and looking sharp. GJ must have been pleased with that performance though I expect him to be critical and taking nothing for granted.
Our high tempo pressing game will reap rewards I'm sure but there are bound to be off days when the poor weather hits when individuals are tired or just having a bad day.
Kalala is a match winner and is sure play at a higher level one day I hope its with us but if he continues his improvement and adds consistency to his game the bigger clubs will be taking a a closer look pretty soon if not already.
And he isn't the only one our young and improving squad is sure to be attracting attention from higher up the leagues especially if we have a good start to the season.
Early days but some very good signs in our performances so far.
How was the pitch looking?
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 17, 2019 12:05:48 GMT
link - Little’s goal as seen from the pop side.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 12:21:46 GMT
Couldn't make the game unfortunately but Into our pre season stride and looking sharp. GJ must have been pleased with that performance though I expect him to be critical and taking nothing for granted. Our high tempo pressing game will reap rewards I'm sure but there are bound to be off days when the poor weather hits when individuals are tired or just having a bad day. Kalala is a match winner and is sure play at a higher level one day I hope its with us but if he continues his improvement and adds consistency to his game the bigger clubs will be taking a a closer look pretty soon if not already. And he isn't the only one our young and improving squad is sure to be attracting attention from higher up the leagues especially if we have a good start to the season. Early days but some very good signs in our performances so far. How was the pitch looking? Don't mention the pitch...I mentioned it once, but I think I got away with it!  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 12:25:22 GMT
link - Little’s goal as seen from the pop side. That was a cracker...I doubt he'll score a better all season. Aren't we looking for a new penalty taker...he's the man. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2019 12:58:33 GMT
Smart stadium, smart kit, good football, big crowd. But let's not discount the probability that the club is being allowed to fall into rack and ruin so that some houses can be built on Plainmoor. Nor should we forget those loyal fans whose whole evening was overshadowed by the discovery that a £1 charge was being applied for teamsheets. Just how are you going to enjoy Armani's goal when you've got that financial rip-off dominating your thoughts ? Yet the club had the nerve to suggest that such people are forever looking for negatives ...the cheek of it !
For those willing to take their eye off Osborne's shenanigans for 90 minutes and look at the football, most would have been satisfied I would think, judging by the reports. Thanks to everyone who has given their thoughts on the game, and special gratitude to rjdgull who typed up a lengthy report for us at a relatively late hour, that made my ovaltine taste all the sweeter.
Like many, I can see potential weak spots in the team, and areas where a little more competition might currently be lacking. But my requirements and expectations for the new season are no more than to consolidate ourselves in the National League, and then assess whether pushing on further in future will be feasible. Should we be ahead of schedule, then the more pleased I'll be.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 18, 2019 12:49:27 GMT
link - Gary Johnson feedback and think he was fairly pleased with the result. Looks like Liam is still 3 to 4 weeks away which suggests he may miss the first week and those 3 games.
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Post by rjdgull on Jul 21, 2019 19:28:34 GMT
link - short interview with Little on the free kick and even better angle from the tv gantry showing the curl and dip to beat the keeper standing on that side of the ground.
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