Leicester City 0, Plymouth Argyle 1. Every time I read it I feel so happy I could cry.
A raucous 1500-strong Green Army pitched up at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday evening, but I’m not ashamed to admit I wasn’t one of them. For one, I’m skint, with my attendance currently restricted to home games I’ve already paid for, and for two, Argyle matches being featured on live television is still such a novelty that I like to enjoy it.
Oddly, my own experience of the Ian Holloway Grudge Match™ was in the University of Huddersfield Student Union’s fairly empty bar with three mates – a Blackpool/Celtic fan, and two girls who tried to be interested, with varying degrees of success.
My ecstatic roar at Peter Halmosi’s 34th-minute winner attracted the attention of the venue’s entire clientele, not particularly difficult when it barely ran into double figures. Indeed, I was the only fan of either team present, unless there were some Foxes supporters keeping very quiet…although who could blame them, considering the way their team was thoroughly embarrassed and outmanoeuvred for the majority of the 90 minutes? The only similar sound I heard during the game was a Ghanaian fan celebrating his team’s success over Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations’ Third Place Play-Off, which was being shown on another screen.
Watching the green masses packing the visitor’s section and singing the house down at the ‘Crisp Bowl’, and the way Halmosi tore Lionel Messi-like through incompetent blue foes in an unfamiliar role on the right, it was hard to feel anything but pride for the Pilgrim blood flowing from the arteries.
As already predicted on this blog, the Hungarian international will be almost impossible to keep at Home Park beyond the summer unless Argyle can defy the odds and sneak up to the Premiership through the play-offs. Outside of the big boring four, any side would be lucky to have him, and few would begrudge Halmosi a crack at the top flight, given the commitment and excellence he has shown this season.
Jim Paterson also had a good debut on the left. Jimmy Abdou regained the place in midfield he never should have lost and looked solid, while Paul Sturrock finally bit the bullet and tried Argyle’s best strikers together – record signing Steve McLean and the pacy Jermaine Easter, despite neither being the target man he likes to employ. They looked good, with spark and technique Rory Fallon sadly lacks, and the hope must be that Luggy will attempt to rework his footballing philosophies to suit the attractive, attacking, passing football which seems to best suit the resources he has at his disposal.
Ironically, it was Ian Holloway who introduced this style of play, and bought many of the players now employing it. The pained expressions anointing the Bristolian's cheeks on Saturday, at the various points when the Sky cameras focussed on him, were glorious sites to behold, and while Argyle now lie just two points behind the top six, Ollie’s new charges are only three above the drop zone. After watching their disorientated performance, it wasn’t hard to see why. Steve Howard is still as good in the air as ever, but he was generally well dealt with by cult star Kristian Timar, ably assisted by the increasingly magnificent goalkeeping of Luke McCormick. The best home player was probably Barry Hayles, which, considering he was no longer good enough for the Argyle starting eleven when we sold him in January, says a lot for the gulf between the teams.
Press coverage of this game has focussed strongly on Argyle chairman Paul Stapleton’s war of words with Ollie this week, but for now I’d rather concentrate on the important bit. At Leicester, the men in green put together a performance of almost utter control and dominance, played exciting football, and were multipack value for their win. This is a team with sealed-in freshness. But Leicester are looking a bit Tesco Value.
RICH PARTINGTON
Showing posts with label Holloway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holloway. Show all posts
Monday, 11 February 2008
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Discontent growing in Plymouth
On Saturday afternoon, the Plymouth public gave an early indication of how they felt about the January player sales at Home Park. Only 11,011, a figure pleasing only for its palindromic qualities, were willing to fork out and watch Paul Sturrock’s new-look team take on Hull. Their reward was to witness Plymouth Argyle’s play-off hopes take a decisive hit with a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat.
Had we won – against a side who have been the highest ranked of Yorkshire’s nine football league clubs for most of the season, but who we had already beaten twice in 2007-8 – Argyle would now be just two points off the top six going into next Saturday’s grudge match at former manager Ian Holloway’s Leicester City.
As it is, the gap is five, and we are four behind yesterday’s very limited visitors, who are still relying on that old warhorse Dean Windass, soon to reach pensionable age and with semi-automatic limbs. He’s still managed four goals in three games against Argyle’s backline this season, including the Tigers’ winner on Saturday.
While five points is, on the face of it, not insurmountable, the manner of recent performances has left more and more fans looking the other way – at the relegation places. I think that any fears of this happening are unfounded this season, but the horrible sense hanging around is that this era at Home Park has reached its zenith with the play-off flirtations and FA Cup Quarter-Final under Holloway. I’m not going to resign myself to that just yet; Paul Sturrock is a top manager, and could still mould a promotion-chasing team, but this has not happened as yet, and at this level he cannot survive on the shoestring budget which took us through the lower divisions.
And the reality is that over the last couple of years attendances have dwindled at Home Park, with the momentum of previous years slowing and the sense of excitement and anticipation of success among the fanbase giving away to grim ‘consolidation’. This is something that could have happened to Bristol City this season, but Gary Johnson’s side has taken the bull by the spiky bits and rode it, chortling heartily, into real contention for a second consecutive promotion. Its heartbreaking to see the Turnips overtake us as the Westcountry’s premier team quite so easily, but after five years in our shadow, this is the position they now undoubtedly occupy.
Personally, I’ll keep supporting the team, getting to as many games as I can from exile, because I’ve got the bug. Although, like anyone, I’ll make even more effort to attend matches if we’re doing well, I’ll never stop going completely because I need my Argyle fix every so often, and the club just means too much to me; it defines my adolescence, and that history will always be with me. But the club have clearly failed to keep hold of those fans who came back into the fold when we reached the Championship and enjoyed the novelty of big games against the likes of Leeds and Sunderland.
The much-maligned ‘Janner apathy’ does exist, but only because the people of Plymouth have never seen their club make a serious attempt to give the city the Premiership club it deserves. It’s a case of making them believe before they’ll come, and they’ve been let down so many times before that cynicism reigns, particularly among the older ones. But Argyle had a whole new generation they could convince of their ambition, and that has not happened.
Still, even if this season is over, (and I find it easier to just accept that now than have my hopes dashed again) I’ll still be here, attempting to pick apart the essence of the Green dream. Life goes on.
RICH PARTINGTON
Had we won – against a side who have been the highest ranked of Yorkshire’s nine football league clubs for most of the season, but who we had already beaten twice in 2007-8 – Argyle would now be just two points off the top six going into next Saturday’s grudge match at former manager Ian Holloway’s Leicester City.
As it is, the gap is five, and we are four behind yesterday’s very limited visitors, who are still relying on that old warhorse Dean Windass, soon to reach pensionable age and with semi-automatic limbs. He’s still managed four goals in three games against Argyle’s backline this season, including the Tigers’ winner on Saturday.
While five points is, on the face of it, not insurmountable, the manner of recent performances has left more and more fans looking the other way – at the relegation places. I think that any fears of this happening are unfounded this season, but the horrible sense hanging around is that this era at Home Park has reached its zenith with the play-off flirtations and FA Cup Quarter-Final under Holloway. I’m not going to resign myself to that just yet; Paul Sturrock is a top manager, and could still mould a promotion-chasing team, but this has not happened as yet, and at this level he cannot survive on the shoestring budget which took us through the lower divisions.
And the reality is that over the last couple of years attendances have dwindled at Home Park, with the momentum of previous years slowing and the sense of excitement and anticipation of success among the fanbase giving away to grim ‘consolidation’. This is something that could have happened to Bristol City this season, but Gary Johnson’s side has taken the bull by the spiky bits and rode it, chortling heartily, into real contention for a second consecutive promotion. Its heartbreaking to see the Turnips overtake us as the Westcountry’s premier team quite so easily, but after five years in our shadow, this is the position they now undoubtedly occupy.
Personally, I’ll keep supporting the team, getting to as many games as I can from exile, because I’ve got the bug. Although, like anyone, I’ll make even more effort to attend matches if we’re doing well, I’ll never stop going completely because I need my Argyle fix every so often, and the club just means too much to me; it defines my adolescence, and that history will always be with me. But the club have clearly failed to keep hold of those fans who came back into the fold when we reached the Championship and enjoyed the novelty of big games against the likes of Leeds and Sunderland.
The much-maligned ‘Janner apathy’ does exist, but only because the people of Plymouth have never seen their club make a serious attempt to give the city the Premiership club it deserves. It’s a case of making them believe before they’ll come, and they’ve been let down so many times before that cynicism reigns, particularly among the older ones. But Argyle had a whole new generation they could convince of their ambition, and that has not happened.
Still, even if this season is over, (and I find it easier to just accept that now than have my hopes dashed again) I’ll still be here, attempting to pick apart the essence of the Green dream. Life goes on.
RICH PARTINGTON
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Laughter with Luggy
Ian Holloway may have left Plymouth Argyle in somewhat acrimonious circumstances last week, but he hasn’t stolen the club’s sense of humour.
Chairman Paul Stapleton introduced returning hero Paul ‘Luggy’ Sturrock – replacing Holloway as manager just under four years after leaving the Pilgrims for then-Premiership side Southampton – at today’s press conference, with a description of how the club’s board selected the new boss:
"When we drew up our list of who we would like as a manager, it said ‘grey haired and overweight’…sorry that’s the chairman’s list."
This last comment was, whichever way you wished to slice it, particularly self-deprecating. While Stapleton’s physical frame bares few similarities with chubby Luggy, a small minority of Argyle fans and Devon pressmen have questioned the motives behind bringing Sturrock back to the club from League One Swindon Town.
It has been well documented that he and Stapleton are close personal friends, and rumours were flying around over the weekend, suggesting the chairman was a loan figure in the boardroom, in his bid to bring the 51-year-old Scot back to Home Park. But Stapleton, the moustachioed accountant who has led the board since 2001, was quick to quell such whispers.
"We needed a captain on the ship, and the fact it was someone we had a lot of respect for, even the other board members who didn’t know him from before were unanimous in their choice.
"He’s got the job on merit, not anything else."
Whatever really happened behind the scenes, the installation of Sturrock in the position vacated by Leicester-bound Holloway – seemingly dazzled by the lure of Foxes owner Milan Mandaric’s millions – has sent shivers down the spines of the Green Army.
Luggy had inherited a club in turmoil in October 2000. Argyle’s record appearance holder Kevin Hodges had managed the worst side in Home Park history, arguably not helped by latterly parlous backing from ex-chairman Dan McCauley, and Plymouth were languishing at the wrong end of the old Division Three.
Stapleton, then on McCauley’s board, brought Sturrock to the club, lobbying for his appointment. The rest is history, with the former St. Johnstone and Dundee United boss revitalising Argyle from top to bottom – storming to the 2001-2 title with a record points total of 102, and leaving Plymouth on top of Division Two after 30 games, which they would eventually go on to win.
Along the way he vastly improved the performances and longevity of Lee Hodges, Mickey Evans, and captain Paul Wotton; brought through youth starlets such as Luke McCormick and Paul Connolly; and secured the signings of several unknowns who would go on to be legends in Jannerland – David Norris, Graham Coughlan, David Friio, and Romain Larrieu among them.
And for all Holloway’s countrywide fame – secured largely through sometimes amusing, but often plain idiotic, public pronouncements – Sturrock’s wit is more subtle and developed.
Asked who would oversee tommorrow’s mouth-watering home clash against second-placed West Bromwich Albion – with coaches Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin, who led Plymouth to a fantastic 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday, likely to be joining Holloway at Leicester – Luggy was leaving it to his goalkeeping coach.
"Well Crudgie [Geoff Crudgington] has got problems!" he smirked, to general hilarity.
"I’m sitting with the chairman, I’ll have nothing to do with this one!"
And the jokes kept coming. Did it help that some players were still at Argyle from Sturrock’s last tenure, one hack asked?
"Hodgie looks much slimmer, so what he’s been doing for the last few years has definitely worked, I’m gonna take some advice from him."
Not to be outdone, Stapleton was happy to admit that the worldwind process of management change had left some creases unironed. How long would Luggy’s contract be?
"We haven’t really decided, we’re gonna have a quiet chat about that this evening I think…see how we get on tommorrow night!"
Sturrock will find with Argyle in rude health, sitting fourth in the Championship and with the feel-good factor coursing through Pilgrim veins. Whether he can repeat the heroics of his previous reign remains to be seen, but, for now, all is well in PL2.
RICH PARTINGTON
Chairman Paul Stapleton introduced returning hero Paul ‘Luggy’ Sturrock – replacing Holloway as manager just under four years after leaving the Pilgrims for then-Premiership side Southampton – at today’s press conference, with a description of how the club’s board selected the new boss:
"When we drew up our list of who we would like as a manager, it said ‘grey haired and overweight’…sorry that’s the chairman’s list."
This last comment was, whichever way you wished to slice it, particularly self-deprecating. While Stapleton’s physical frame bares few similarities with chubby Luggy, a small minority of Argyle fans and Devon pressmen have questioned the motives behind bringing Sturrock back to the club from League One Swindon Town.
It has been well documented that he and Stapleton are close personal friends, and rumours were flying around over the weekend, suggesting the chairman was a loan figure in the boardroom, in his bid to bring the 51-year-old Scot back to Home Park. But Stapleton, the moustachioed accountant who has led the board since 2001, was quick to quell such whispers.
"We needed a captain on the ship, and the fact it was someone we had a lot of respect for, even the other board members who didn’t know him from before were unanimous in their choice.
"He’s got the job on merit, not anything else."
Whatever really happened behind the scenes, the installation of Sturrock in the position vacated by Leicester-bound Holloway – seemingly dazzled by the lure of Foxes owner Milan Mandaric’s millions – has sent shivers down the spines of the Green Army.
Luggy had inherited a club in turmoil in October 2000. Argyle’s record appearance holder Kevin Hodges had managed the worst side in Home Park history, arguably not helped by latterly parlous backing from ex-chairman Dan McCauley, and Plymouth were languishing at the wrong end of the old Division Three.
Stapleton, then on McCauley’s board, brought Sturrock to the club, lobbying for his appointment. The rest is history, with the former St. Johnstone and Dundee United boss revitalising Argyle from top to bottom – storming to the 2001-2 title with a record points total of 102, and leaving Plymouth on top of Division Two after 30 games, which they would eventually go on to win.
Along the way he vastly improved the performances and longevity of Lee Hodges, Mickey Evans, and captain Paul Wotton; brought through youth starlets such as Luke McCormick and Paul Connolly; and secured the signings of several unknowns who would go on to be legends in Jannerland – David Norris, Graham Coughlan, David Friio, and Romain Larrieu among them.
And for all Holloway’s countrywide fame – secured largely through sometimes amusing, but often plain idiotic, public pronouncements – Sturrock’s wit is more subtle and developed.
Asked who would oversee tommorrow’s mouth-watering home clash against second-placed West Bromwich Albion – with coaches Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin, who led Plymouth to a fantastic 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday, likely to be joining Holloway at Leicester – Luggy was leaving it to his goalkeeping coach.
"Well Crudgie [Geoff Crudgington] has got problems!" he smirked, to general hilarity.
"I’m sitting with the chairman, I’ll have nothing to do with this one!"
And the jokes kept coming. Did it help that some players were still at Argyle from Sturrock’s last tenure, one hack asked?
"Hodgie looks much slimmer, so what he’s been doing for the last few years has definitely worked, I’m gonna take some advice from him."
Not to be outdone, Stapleton was happy to admit that the worldwind process of management change had left some creases unironed. How long would Luggy’s contract be?
"We haven’t really decided, we’re gonna have a quiet chat about that this evening I think…see how we get on tommorrow night!"
Sturrock will find with Argyle in rude health, sitting fourth in the Championship and with the feel-good factor coursing through Pilgrim veins. Whether he can repeat the heroics of his previous reign remains to be seen, but, for now, all is well in PL2.
RICH PARTINGTON
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