Attendance - 10,755 (200 Plymouth Fans)
Match Report
Well, it was a disappointment. Over 10,000 City supporters were inside Boothferry Park to witness what they hoped would be a clear indication of the progress made over the summer - For many it was their first view of the new City team. However, as has been the case in the past, the team failed to produce their best on a big day. And also, for just about the first time, fans seriously questioned boss Brian Little's team selection and tactics. Theodore Whitmore got the right wing place vacated by Ryan Williams, otherwise the team was unchanged from the win at Exteter last week. However, there was no place on the bench for Michael Price or the returning Ben Petty, which surprised me.
In the opening 30 seconds City nearly went ahead. Ian Goodison played a super ball forward to Gary Alexander who shot over from inside the area. But the visitors immediately responded with a chance of their own as Brian McGlinchey shot inches wide of the post from the edge of the box.
It became clear Argyle's tactics were to crowd the Midfield and get men behind the ball. It worked. City were not using their width enough to break down the opposition, although the fact that both our full backs are infact centre backs by trade clearly didn't help. Goodison and Edwards do not support, supply or overlap the wingers enough, but as previously mentioned they cannot be expected to become adapt playing out of their regular position. David Beresford was in the right place on the wing though, and did not receive anywhere near enough of the ball. The players could and should have done better with the width they did have.
Finishing was proving a problem too. In addition to the earlier Alexander chance, Mark Greaves fired miles over from inside the area after being teed up.
The half continued in this pattern with no real chances. The Argyle forward line were holding the ball up well, with the impressive Friio battling away and showing nice touches in midfield. Again, City looked over-run in the middle of the park and did not create anything there. The play needed to be spread. Although David Lee was sitting on the bench after scoring a hat-trick for the Reserves in mid-week, he did not make an appearance.
Chances did come the Tigers' way in the second half, but Plymouth continued to defend well. Gary Alexander had the bsest of the opportunities, missing one golden chance on around 65 minutes. Whitmore won the ball well from a Pilgrims player in midfield and played a great through ball to the advancing Lawrie Dudfield, setting him free on goal. Romain Larrieu made a good save from Dudfield's shot with his legs, but as the ball ballooned in to the air Alexander tracked it. However, he missed from 6 yards, trying to place the ball in the corner on the volley. Both strikers should have put the ball away, although Alexander's was clearly the easier opportunity of the two. The former Swindon man then had another chance minutes later but fluffed a header at the back post.
Again, shots were off target late in the game, as Ian Goodison and Alexander both fired over. The Tigers rallied towards the end, but Argyle held firm and earned the draw they deserved. Infact, City's mistakes were amplified in the closing minutes as nearly everyone seemed to go to pieces.
The players did not perform today, but Brian Little also made mistakes in my opinion. Many teams will come here and employ the tactics Plymouth did. It is our job to break them down and score the important first goal. If we score one, they will have to attack more, obviously. When teams pack the middle of the pitch and get men behind the ball, width must be used to spread the play and create more opportunities. Although the loss of Ryan Williams was a blow, we did not use full backs correctly today. A Plymouth fan commented that David Beresford was one of the best wingers he'd seen at this level. But he did not receive enough support from Ian Goodison down the left, overlapping, feeding and supporting him. This as I said is not Pepe's fault, as it is not his natural position and has been shifted there to fit in both Nicky Mohan and Justin Whittle in the centre. On the right this situation is the same with Mike Edwards. To become more of an attacking force, surely more attack-minded and natural full backs such as Petty, Holt and Price should be used? Also, David Lee will probably be wondering why he didn't get on as a substitute despite our lack of creativity through the centre.
Changes should be made, and I reckon they will be. It is a bad start at home, but one I'm sure the players and management will sort out. |
