THE DAILY DIARY

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Also included on the three most recent days, facts from Argyle's history.

Wednesday 31st August 2022

Argyle first-team coach Kevin Nancekivell was pleased with the progress of the young pilgrims who started the EFL Trophy tie with Bristol Rovers. He gave particular credit to young defender Oscar Halls who was thrown into the first team and thrived on debut. Nancekivell explained: "Competitive is the word with Oscar. He loves a tackle; he loves a header. He was very composed on the ball. He was up against John Marquis, who is a really experienced centre-forward, who gives a lot of League One central defenders a tough time. For Oscar to come out with the confidence and skills that he has, it is a really good night for him. We were delighted with them. They've been knocking on the door to get involved with us, with training etc. We know how good they are, and what potential they've got. They can come out of the night with a lot of credit. I thought it was an entertaining game, the supporters got into it. Both teams had a good go, and we're delighted to come away with some points. It was end-to-end. Bristol Rovers treated the competition with respect, as we did, with some youngsters thrown into the mix. We want to win every game. We want a winning environment at the football club, which we feel we are close to getting. Tonight goes to prove that. We want to go as far as we can in competition. To go behind, with some young players on the pitch at the time, and respond as we did, with Ryan putting his penalty away, it was fully deserved. The crowd were brilliant, they got right behind us. A penalty shoot-out is always good to see. Especially when we win!"

Callum Burton's penalty saving secured the bonus point for Argyle in the shootout and after the game, he looked back on the decisive moment: "It was good to be back out there. It's always nice, as a keeper, when it goes to pens, because you can't really lose. You just do your best and hope you go the right way, which I did once at least. If you go the wrong way five times, it is what it is, but if you save one or two, it can win the game. A lot of details go into it, studying their penalty takers. It's nice when research pays off. I've been lucky enough to experience quite a lot of penalty shoot-outs, and you get better at reading people the more you practise. The standard of our boys' penalties was unbelievable. It's alright saving them, but they've got to score for us to win, and we did that. Credit to the lads taking them.

"I was happy, personally, and I think for the team it was a big bonus, because there were a few lads out there who haven't had the minutes they would want. The gaffer put it to us: 'go and show why you should start on Saturday.' That is the environment he has built this year. It is not a team of 12 or 13 players, but 18, 19, 20 players who can do a job – and all have done. It's healthy for the squad, and it is showing so far in the league."

30th

Argyle have started their Football League Trophy campaign with two points from their opening game with Bristol Rovers. The match itself ended 1-1. The visitors took the lead shortly after half-time but a Ryan Hardie penalty levelled things up just 8 minutes later. The extra point up for grabs was decided by a penalty shoot-out which Argyle won 4-3. Argyle: Burton, Lonwijk, Halls, Gillesphey, Edwards (Mumba), Houghton, Randell, Endacott, Jenkins-Davies (Azaz), Hardie (Ennis), Whittaker (Issaka). Subs: Cooper, Butcher, Forkou.

29th

As Argyle prepared for their first Football League Trophy game against Bristol Rovers, Mark Hughes looked ahead to taking charge in the dugout, as is usual in this competition. Hughes looked back on his own career at Rovers and his relationship with opposing manager Joey Barton. Hughes said: "I know Joey doesn't like the cup! He's still wants to win every game, though. It will be a tough game. They do the basics really well. That's what Joey has built his foundations on, in terms of getting the basics done. He likes his defenders to defend, the midfield to get up to people. They will be competitive and aggressive. It will be a tough game, they had a really good season last season. They have lost a few players who did well for them on loan, and they have started off with a couple of bad injuries. I don't know in terms of the team how he will see it, but I know he is as a person, he will be out to win the game. They will probably have a few young lads in who I didn't really see when I was there.

"It's good that some lads who have not played will get minutes to try to get up to speed and have a chance to keep the winning mentality which we want at this club. The way the manager has been picking his teams, he picks lads who are at it, day-to-day. Whoever plays tomorrow, we've said it's a chance to be ready to go and play on Saturday. We've got a strong squad here. I'm sure he'll utilise it, and possibly involve a couple of youngsters as well. With the five subs rule, some teams are having a starting team and a finishing team. We don't pick it like that; on Saturday we needed an injection of pace, so brought Morgan Whittaker on and it happened. Every game is different. You want to play 46 games and the cup games, but it's going to be tough. We need to utilise everyone."

Whittaker himself added: "There has been a lot more impact from the bench at the start of the season. I'm just staying patient and hopefully I'll get a run in the team, stay in the team. Whether it's half an hour or ten minutes, the focus is on being positive and doing well. All I can control is me coming on, doing well and hopefully getting the chance to play the next game. If I think that I am not playing, and then sulk, it's going to affect me, so I need to do well when I get the chance.

"We back ourselves and we know we have the players that can hurt anyone. It's about focusing on ourselves and getting the result. Everyone is challenging for positions in the league games and the squad's got that much depth, you could put people that aren't playing in the starting team, and they could still do the same job. I've never played in the competition before, so it's another one to add. I'm looking forward to it. Everyone wants the chance to play at Wembley. It's a good stepping stone, and hopefully we do well this year. The under-21 teams get an opportunity to play against League One and League Two teams. Developing players is good for football in general, and for more experienced players to play against younger ones, it is good for everyone. For under-21 players it is a real eye-opener to see the levels in League One and League Two."

28th

Steven Schumacher praised his Argyle side for being able to 'win ugly' after a less than convincing performance still brought home three points against Bolton. Schumacher said, first of the opening goal: "It was a brilliant goal. Something out of nothing. It was a free-kick down the side. Niall has read the bounce better than Ricardo Santos and forced him into a mistake. He was composed to go round the goalie. He doesn't make it easy for defenders. I'm made up for him. He deserves his goals. He has two in two now so his confidence is going to be high. The second goal was brilliant. The two subs have come off the bench, they haven't sulked because they are not in the team, they have off the bench to make an impact. It was a superb run and pass from Morgan Whittaker, the weight of the pass was perfect for Ryan to run on to and smash it first time. It gave a bit of breathing space. You want your subs to make an impact. Sometimes it is hard picking a team. It's tough. But then it should be tough. When we have good quality that can come on with energy and fresh legs to produce a moment like that then it gives you half a chance."

"It was the definition of winning ugly. We didn't play well with the ball at all. We were very sloppy in the first half and kept giving the ball away in dangerous areas. We got away with it a little bit. Second half we were a little bit better with the ball. We never really had any control of the game. We managed to get a win after Michael has produced a worldie save. We've won the game and kept a clean sheet - but it wasn't pretty. You don't always get things your own way. You can't play free-flowing football every week because the opposition just don't allow it. We were not at our best today, but we did defend our box well. We got good blocks in where it was needed. We dug it out. We found a way to win."

On the spectacular second half save that secured Argyle's clean sheet, goalkeeper Mike Cooper paid tribute to goalkeeping coach Darren Behcet for helping him to identify the threat. Cooper said: "I just turned and kept it out somehow! It is something we have been working on this week, movement around the goal. Daz identifies things that the other team does, so thought that kind of cutback is something they might have. I was half ready for it as soon as he squared it. Luckily it came off the post and then Brendan was there to follow up. That's when you need your defenders. It felt like quite a big save at the time, to keep it 1-0.

"It was gritty. I think we started well, but didn't really get a foothold in the game in the first half. Both teams were stopping each other playing out, so it was a fairly direct game. Niall's endeavour on a through ball to get on the end of it and make something happen was a huge boost. He didn't stop going. I think that rubbed off on the whole team. I thought everyone dug it out well today. They didn't make it easy, they are a good side. We gritted it out but we got three points. Ryan and Morgan then came on to make an impact. It was a great dribble and throughball, then an emphatic finish by Ryan. That's what you need from your subs when they come on with fresh legs.

"The fans have supported us really well this season," he said. "At Charlton, when they travelled in really good numbers, it was really disappointing to have a game like that when you get the support we do. For them to turn up in their numbers at Forest Green and we gave them a 3-0, then a 2-0 today at home, I feel like we repaid them for their faith."

27th

Argyle continued their positive start to the League One season with a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. It was a game where chances were had by both sides but Argyle's clinical nature was paramount in ensuring the three points stayed in Devon. Fine finishes by Niall Ennis and supersub Ryan Hardie were enough to win the game for Argyle. Argyle: Cooper, Lonwijk, Scarr, Galloway (Gillesphey), Edwards, Houghton (Randell), Butcher, Mumba (Wilson), Azaz (Whittaker), Mayor, Ennis (Hardie). Subs: Burton, Jephcott.

25th

Argyle have announced a five-year deal with a Plymouth-based, globally recognised brand - Kawasaki Precision Machinery (KPM). As part of the comprehensive agreement with KPM, the Ernesettle-based subsidiary of the iconic Japanese brand will receive stand naming rights, with the east stand of Home Park titled the Kawasaki Barn Park End for the duration of the partnership. Argyle's Head of Commercial Operations, James Greenacre, said: "It is a coup for the club to secure the support of a globally recognised brand in Kawasaki, and we are delighted to have them on board. KPM has had a presence in our city for a long time, but it speaks to Argyle's direction of travel, and the club's integral values, that they have chosen now to pledge long-term support - including for our food poverty initiative, Project 35."

Steven Schumacher looked ahead to Argyle's game against Bolton, remembering the rain-hit game of last season. Schumacher reminisced: "It threw up one of the most iconic goals of last season. The weather won't be anything like that this year, but hopefully someone will score us a tap-in! The games last season, both were tight. I know we won 3-0 in the puddles, but we won it late on, I don't think it was a 3-0 game. The one at their place was really tight and won on a set play. Games in this league, whether against teams at the top of the division or the bottom, are usually decided on small margins. Bolton will be one of the teams that fancy it this season. They have a settled squad. They recruited well in the summer and they have a big playing squad. They have some good forward players. When we go through and analyse what their strengths and weaknesses are, their front players are exciting. We'll have to be at our best defensively, but we think we can cause them problems as well. It will be an entertaining game of football, and hopefully we will have a little bit more than them on the day. I think they are a good team. They were good last year, especially at the end of the season when they really got going. It will be a tough game. They always try to play football. They are heavily possession based. We won't have it all our own way on Saturday."

"It's brilliant that the squad has good depth. We made five changes: one enforced, the others tactical. The people who stepped in did great, and that is important. It's a long season, you need everyone. You can't just have 11 players to get you through a 50-game season, especially at the level of intensity we want to play at. What's also good is that it seems everyone is taking on the information, so when you are not in the team, they are not getting disheartened and not listening in training sessions, they are coming in and it is pretty seamless. It shows that they have good character, that they listen and that they are good players. We wouldn't bring them in if they were not good players. When the majority are fit and playing well, there is a selection headache. It is on us to pick the right team for that game, for that opponent, and hopefully get it right.

"The two away games that we have had, we've been brilliantly followed by the fans, and we needed to repay them for all the support, but there's nothing better than being in Home Park when it is full, rocking and all the fans are behind us. We played well on Saturday and we fully deserved our win, but now we have to go and back it up. We need to keep the excitement going, keep the momentum going. Good teams get on little runs and put performances in week in, week out. We want to be a good team, so it is important we do everything right, start the game well to get the fans behind us, and go and get a good result."

Danny Mayor reflected on a positive start to the season, playing as a pair of number 10s behind the striker alongside new addition Finn Azaz. He said: "If you looked at our fixtures and said we'd get nine points from the first five games, you would probably take it. It's disappointing because of the scoreline at Charlton, and at Fleetwood we didn't play well, but probably deserved a draw. It's been an up and down start, but a lot of positives to take. Finn is really intelligent. He's really clever, and is easy to find. He picks up good positions and is a great finisher. Three goals is an unbelievable start. He's hit the ground running. Long may it continue, so we can keep climbing the table. I enjoy the formation. I'm playing a bit higher up, so I don't have get too involved with getting it off the centre-backs! It's a good formation. When we play it well, we play it really well, like against Peterborough, and at Forest Green. We're still learning it, which has its pitfalls at times. Charlton played really well against us. We have two number 10s. Most teams play with one number 4 now, so it is hard to mark both of us. To be honest, I don't mind who I am playing with as long as we are winning. It's been a good start to the season. I've got a couple of assists, hopefully it keeps going. It's a tough game Saturday, but we had a good performance last Saturday, a good win to take us into this week."

"Bolton are a big club. They've made a few signings. They are a good passing side, they want to play the right way. But I think we can match anyone in this league if we go for it at home. As long as we are on the front foot and attacking teams, we'll give anyone a game."

22nd

Niall Ennis combined his first league start of the season with his first goal and explained the tactical game plan that saw Argyle do so well in the match. Ennis detailed: "It was a great performance away from home. Things didn't go so well in the last game; this was about turning it around and getting the win. I just wanted to start the game well; that gives you confidence. I've been training well. I feel like I repaid the gaffer, but I need to keep that up now. The way we started gave us momentum, and we kicked on from there and got the goals.

"The build-up for the goal is just what we want to do. Moving the ball, running in behind. I needed to make sure I was onside, make sure I had a good touch, and make sure I finished the goal. Away from goal it's about stretching the defence, bringing the team in. I felt like I started well, winning headers and it puts them on the back foot, especially at the start of the game, and puts us on the front foot. We've got goals in the system. It's about me working off them, because I know they are going to give me chances. It's about making sure I am in the right position – which I was today The fans helped us. The atmosphere kept us going. We had to repay them, because the ones who travelled to Charlton, they didn't deserve that. I'm happy they can travel home with the win as well. We need to bring that same momentum into Saturday and get Home Park rocking."

21st

Steven Schumcher was delighted that Argyle fulfilled their aim going into the game at Forest Green - to put in a 'comeback' performance after their loss in London and to get a win for the travelling fans, Argyle's first competitive win on the road since March. Schumacher analysed where the win came from: "We spoke before the game about putting in a performance for the fans. We went away on Tuesday and didn't play very well – we got beat 5-1 – but they stayed behind and clapped us. At Fleetwood, they travelled in their numbers – we started the game ok and then faded. We just needed to put in a proper performance today because it is important. They follow us up and down the country and they deserve to see their team doing the basics well. Our players never shirk workrate. It's a good day all round – but it's for the fans.

"We started the game well, although it wasn't pretty for the first ten minutes. Forest Green had a couple of chances before we scored. We went a bit more direct than we usually do, landed on second balls and earned the right to play. The longer the game goes on at 1-0, they are only one chance away from getting back into it. We had to defend properly today. It was quite tough to play against Forest Green, the way they play. Everybody, to a man, got the detail right when we didn't have the ball. In League One, you don't control games for 90 minutes, you just have to make the most of your chances. When we did get our chance, we were clinical with it. It gave us a bit of breathing space. We didn't want to sit back at 2-0 and invite pressure. We tried to keep playing forward. It isn't rocket science, football. It is quite simple but if you don't do the basics right then you get punished like we did on Tuesday, Today we did the basics better and we managed to win. It was a really pleasing afternoon. I'm buzzing to get the first away win of the season and tick that one off."

"I thought a few people deserved to play. Niall came on on Tuesday night and was a handful. He's been training really well, so deserved an opportunity to start. I was made up for him for his goal, because I thought he was outstanding. Making it 3-0 basically sealed the win. I thought three games in a week was a bit much for Jordan Houghton. I keep saying I'm going to use the squad, this was the perfect opportunity to do that. Macaulay Gillesphey has a tight groin, so there was no point risking him. Brendan was ready, he's fit, he deserves his opportunity. Nigel was an enforced chance that we had to make. Danny Mayor coming in for Morgan was a tough one. Morgan was brilliant on Tuesday, probably our best player, but I went with Finn and Danny. Morgan came on, he didn't sulk, did brilliantly. He got us up the pitch and relieved some pressure. We wanted to press higher on our right, their left, because Baily Cargill is really good on the ball and you can't give him time. We just felt if we put Bali up there and we won the ball back, he would be higher up the pitch and would be able to get at the centre-back one v one. At times we looked more like a back four with Nigel playing so wide. Joe is a more natural defender than Bali so it just made sense to switch them over. It worked because Bali got in behind on a turnover and scored. I thought all the changes worked. Sometimes they go for you and sometimes they don't."

It was a particularly special milestone for Brendan Galloway who made his first appearance for the greens since his heartbreaking knee injury in November. The defender said of his return to action: "I feel great. To be back on the pitch in a league game, winning tackles, helping the team, it feels great. I was looking forward to the opportunity. Fair play to the away support. They have stuck with us through hard times, like Tuesday night. Here, we wanted to give them something to smile about, we wanted to give them something to cheer. They were very loud and helped give us that bit extra. They stick by us through the good and through the bad.

"We worked hard as a whole. We didn't stop running, fought for second balls and we were ruthless when we got into scoring positions. We put in a really good away performance – three points and a clean sheet. It was a good day all round. It's a team game, a team effort. We've got a great squad here; a squad that the manager can utilise and change when he needs to. We're a really tight group. Whenever he makes changes, the same principles apply. We worked hard in training to put things right from Tuesday. It was a complete away performance. We got three goals. Fair play to the lads who took their goals. We had a ruthlessness about us. And then we defended well – not just the defenders but as a whole. On the front, pressing and getting stuck in; the midfielders, Coops making great saves as he does. In the 90th minute we are still trying to get blocks in, still trying to win our tackles, we're still trying to defend our goal like it's 0-0. We want those clean sheets. Fair play to the boys, we got one."

20th

Argyle emphatically bounced back from their loss at Charlton with a win in Gloucestershire that was almost as huge. The greens won 3-0 at the New Lawn, restoring confidence to the travelling fans. Azaz and Mumba assisted eachother for Argyle's first two goals before Niall Ennis sealed things in the second half. Argyle: Cooper, Lonwijk(Gillesphey), Scarr, Galloway, Edwards, Randell, Butcher, Mumba, Azaz (Hardie), Ennis (Whittaker), Mayor (Houghton). Subs: Burton, Endacott, Jephcott.

18th

Steven Schumacher stated his determination to see Argyle bounce back from their fiasco at Charlton, with a win when they travel to Forest Green on Saturday. He also impressed the need for consistency, amidst Argyle's yo-yo recent form. Schumacher stated: "We all know the performance wasn't good enough on Tuesday night away at Charlton. We've spoken about it. We've gone over what we felt we could have done better, areas on which we need to improve. We want to see that reaction. It wasn't that the players didn't put the workrate in, it was that they didn't do the basics quite well enough. We want that to change on Saturday. We want to focus on putting in back-to-back performances. It's early in the season. There are circumstances which might have contributed to two poor away performances. They are a good group. When there are small margins that we can improve on, the players understand it and try to do better in the next game. It is important that we try to get some level of consistency in our performances. From being excellent against Barnsley, to not being so great at Fleetwood, to being excellent against Peterborough, to being average – at best – against Charlton. It's not really good enough; it's not going to sustain a top-half team. As soon as I saw the fixture list come out, that was the first thing that came to my mind," he said. "That's quite hard to plan and prepare for, because it's new. Players are desperate to impress their new manager, so you get an extra performance early on. We're expecting nothing different on Saturday.

"I wasn't too pleased when I saw their game was called off and we were away at Charlton, coming back at crazy hours in the morning. But I can't moan about it, it is what it is. We won't even mention it to the players, we have to focus on us, and what we're good at. They'll be tough opposition. I've just watched their game against Ipswich, and I'm just about to watch their game against Lincoln. They play some nice stuff. They've got good players and play a nice system of football, a nice way of playing. But if we get anything like our good performances this season, we'll be alright."

Bali Mumba echoed his manager's words, paying special attention to the role of the travelling green army. He enthused: "It was a disappointing result on Tuesday night. The team, we know we are better than that. That wasn't up to our normal standards. It is important we focus for the next couple of days in training, get back to basics and pick it up again to get a good result on Saturday. It hurts. I'm still a bit down, it's disappointing. It's not how we wanted it to be after having such a good result last Saturday. That shows you how crazy football is; one moment you can be on top of the world and the next, back down low. There's still faith. I'm still 100% confident that we will bounce back. I believe in the lads, and the talent we have in the dressing room. We're more than capable of bouncing back and pushing forward again. There's a lot to prove on Saturday. Hopefully we can do that and bring back some smiles on people's faces."

"We're all grateful for the fans' support. It was good to see, after the game on Tuesday. It hurt us; the fact that they have travelled and for us not to put in a good performance. The only thing we can do is apologise to them and put it right on Saturday. We're looking to get back on track. I'm very happy at Argyle. It's a great set of lads. The staff have been brilliant with me. The talent and the character in the dressing room, and the potential, is scary. From day one I've been really excited about what we can achieve this season, Hopefully, with the right mindset, concentration and focus, we can get there."

17th

Steven Schumacher expressed his disappointment and anger at Argyle's 5-1 mauling at Charlton, refusing to blame the defeat on Argyle's numerical disadvantage. Schumacher opined: "I don't think we started the game well enough. In the first 10-15 minutes we didn't do the basics right and when you come to a place like this, that's bare minimum. We've got to do better. We've got to find a way where we're at it from the first whistle. We spoke about how well did at the weekend against Peterborough. My team talk was about keeping standards up if you're going to be a top team. You need back-to-back performances, to find that energy and intensity in your play which we didn't for the first 15 minutes. We couldn't pass the ball to each other. We kept giving it away under no pressure. That didn't help. "We did create stuff. We forced turnovers in their half, but didn't make the most of them, didn't hit the target when we got through. We weren't ruthless. You have to make the most of chances and look after the ball, because it's important. If we give the ball away in our half which we did three times for goals, then you've got no chance. I felt the game was dead. The third goal, right on half-time, killed it as a contest. Don't make it embarrassing, try to stick together as a team, work hard. Teams like Charlton are hard enough to play against with 11 men; with 10 it is almost impossible. You have to stick in and show a good attitude, and to be fair I thought we did in the second half. Some of the subs were about taking off some of the players we are going to need on Saturday, because that game was done. We have another important one in a couple of days to put that right. Morgan kept going and scored a great goal. We know he has got quality. He still needs to make quicker decisions at times and pass it every now and again, but he has shown the ability he has got by taking a few players on and smashing one in from outside the box. I'm pleased for him that he is off the mark, off and running, and it will give him a bit of confidence. The other positive from tonight was our fans. We always praise them when we win, but they were brilliant tonight. They knew the game was over, but they stuck with the players, they stood to clap us, and we've got to do better for them. They don't deserve that. It's not a good enough performance"

Morgan Whittaker reflected wryly on a bittersweet night for his first Argyle start. The team were squarely beaten but he got off the goalscoring mark with a memorable goal that saw him carry the ball past several defenders before slotting it into the net. Whittaker mused: "I've been waiting for a chance to start in the league. It is bittersweet. I tried to be positive when I had it, and I'm really happy to get the goal, but the night isn't how you want it to go. I wanted to be positive. If you are direct then things can happen like that. I just kept going and the space opened up. I threw my right foot at it and it found the corner. It wasn't the start we wanted. We dug in as best we could. The sending off killed our momentum. We didn't start great, we know that, but the odds are against when we go down to ten men. It's difficult coming to a place like this, especially with ten men. We have to move on. We have another game on Saturday. It's good that the game comes quick so we can make up for it."

16th

Argyle were bought back down to earth with a bump at The Valley with a gutwrenching 5-1 loss to Charlton. The hosts took an early lead and although Argyle threatened to get back into it, the contest was effectively ended five minutes before half-time when James Wilson was sent off for handling the ball to prevent a goal. Charlton scored the resultant penalty and added another shortly before the interval. Argyle did get one back in the second half via a fine mazy run from Morgan Whittaker but the hosts scored two late goals to ensure a thumping margin of victory. Argyle: Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey, Edwards (Lonwijk), Houghton, Randell (Butcher), Mumba (Galloway), Azaz (Jephcott), Hardie (Ennis), Whittaker. Subs: Burton, Mayor.

15th

Steven Schumacher stated his hope that Argyle's winning run would continue as he looked ahead to a trip to the capital to face Charlton Athletic in the midweek game. He reflected: "A new manager has gone in there, he did really well last year with Swindon. We played Swindon in the Papa John's and they played some good football. Charlton have got loads of good movement in their shape, and how they rotate. They've got really good players. We looked at Charlton's squad last season, and said they had one of the strongest squads in League One. They just didn't get going for whatever reason. They've still got the majority of that squad, and they've recruited well, added some better players. They are a really good side, have played some nice football in their first few games, and were unlucky on Saturday. It's going to be a tough one.

"We lost the game last year at The Valley, and it stopped our run. I remember coming away so disappointed because we didn't give the fans something to cheer, and there was so many of them. We worked hard, it was really close and it was decided on set plays. Hopefully we'll give all our fans who have travelled to The Valley something to celebrate this year."

Dan Scarr looked forward to the game, adding: "Our game plan on Saturday was to move them about, keep squeezing the line," he said. "The further we can get them away from the goal, the more running they've got to do, the quicker they'll burn out. We will try to keep them far from the goal, make them work to get into the box. We'll stay tight and try to shut out as much as we can. Good strikers are going to have chances, that's why they are in good teams getting paid the money they do. It's tough, but it's a good challenge as well. They look like they have a strong side; they had a strong side last season and they've added to it. We expect them to pass and move a lot more, they'll have good rotation, but ultimately, I think if we are on it and we do what we do well, it will be set up for a good game.

"At a place like that, they'll have a lot of fans, but a thousand of the Green Army together in a small area packs a hell of a punch. On Saturday, because it was so tiring, when someone made a good pass and they were cheering it on, you got a little goosebump, a pump of adrenaline. That's what we will need Tuesday, too. It will be a tough game, we'll need them on our side to push us on."

14th

In the midst of the heatwave, Steven Schumacher declared his delight at his Argyle side's ability to manage the intensity of the game against Peterborough. The manager said: "I'm buzzing with the three points. It was a big win for us. We had a bad result last weekend away at Fleetwood, so it was important that we tried to stick some points on the board today against a very, very good Peterborough team. I thought our performance was excellent from the first whistle to the end. We fully deserved the win. The most important thing was that we got our tempo and our aggressiveness right when we didn't have the ball. We increased our tempo, in this incredible heat, the players put in an incredible work rate in to sustain that pressure. They fully deserve the credit they are going to get. The first goal was a good move. We managed to convert the chance that was a brilliant opportunity. We didn't do that the other night.

"I thought we could have been more than one up at half-time. It's important we are clinical. In big games, against big teams, it's about small margins. I'm sure Grant McCann wasn't happy with their first-half performance, that's why he made four subs. We expected them to come at us. They changed their shape, which we had to have a little look at, and figure out what we were going to do about it. We decided to bring Niall on and go to 3-5-2 because they had a back four and we could go man for man. It gave us someone to get hold of the ball and get us up the pitch. We spoke about it in the off season, we had to have that adaption where if it isn't going for us. Thankfully the players have taken on board both systems."

"Finn keeps putting himself in good position. He gets in positions and has shots on goal in every game. Ryan's goals have been penalties, but that's taken some bottle, because we all know what happened last season for him. He's stepped up and dispatched them clinically. It's important that we get goals from elsewhere in the team. Other people need to chip in, not just them two It's been a test, because it isn't normally this hot. The effort and work rate that the starting 11 put in, and the subs who came on and made an impact, helped us in the game. It's important we use the squad, because it's a long season with no easy games. We'll have a look at things over the next couple of days, and try to back up this result with another one, against another very strong team."

Joe Edwards spoke of the added energy given to him by the Home Park crowd in the game. He said: "It felt very hot at times. It's definitely the hottest game I have ever played in. You couldn't catch your breath. You did a run and your legs felt it. Playing like we did today gives you added energy. The crowd give you energy, and we made it harder for Peterborough than it was for us. Everyone performed to their peak today. That's what we need in every game. That's the standard we set. When we do that, we always come out on top. We have to build on this, but everyone to a man was fantastic today. Part of my role and responsibility is not just talking, but leading by example on the pitch as well. If I do that, I hope the boys will follow with me. Today, I thought everyone was fantastic, it was a brilliant day."

"It's a great win. They were top, they are a good side, just come down from the Championship, and have good players. But we know on our day we can beat anyone in this league. We knew they were going to press us, they did it in the week, so we needed to get behind and stretch the game. That gives our 10s a bit more space on the ball. Bali Mumba on the other side, was a different level. He gives us that enthusiasm. When we are at it like that, we are hard to play against. We've set targets for that this year. We've got two at home, so we're off to a good start with that. We know clean sheets are massive in this league. We've got the best keeper in the league, so we know if we are do our job, we'll do quite well."

13th

Argyle bounced right back to winning ways with a victory against Peterborough by two goals to nil, the same margin in which they lost the cup contest in the previous midweek. Finn Azaz continued his fine start to his Argyle career with a superb first half finish before Ryan Hardie slotted home a second half penalty won by Bali Mumba, the second in consecutive Saturdays. The three points were richly deserved. Argyle: Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey, Edwards, Houghton, Randell (Butcher), Mumba (Lonwijk), Azaz, Hardie (Whittaker), Mayor (Ennis). Subs: Burton, Endacott, Jephcott.

12th

Steven Schumacher looked forward at the rematch against Peterborough, warning of another tough encounter after the Cup encounter two days earlier. Schumacher said: "We're expecting another tough game. They'll make a few changes. They'll strengthen their team. They've got unbelievable firepower. You might say the best two strikers in the league in Marriott and Clarke-Harris, and also strength in depth. Championship sides who come down to League One always do well and score loads of goals. We're under no illusions, it's a tough task. But we caused them problems the other night and probably should have got something from that game. We're going to have to be at it to get something from this one."

"Performances have been ok. You need three or four games as a player to feel as though you are match fit and ready. We played really well against Barnsley, not so well at Fleetwood and played well the other night. We're in the swing of things; it's not going to be perfect after two or three games. We'll keep working hard at trying to get things right."

"The players need to take on plenty of fluid. You forget about it a bit once you are playing. You concentrate on the game, and don't worry about how hot it is or what time the drinks break is. We are monitoring what we do in training, not keeping them out in the heat for too long, because it wouldn't be sensible. We've modified training sessions so they are short, sharp and to the point. When game day comes, you've just got to get through it."

Ryan Hardie echoed his manager's words, adding his hope that he could personally get off to another strong start to the season: "Last season I had a successful season, probably because of my start. This year, I've got going in the second game. Hopefully I can continue to add to that. I scored a couple against Peterborough last year. It would be nice to repeat that. I go into most games confident I will score a goal. The team I play in creates a lot of chances, so it is up to me to put the ball away. Both sides are attacking, want to play free-flowing football and score some goals. It will be an exciting game. Hopefully one we come out on top of. It will be two teams wanting to go and win. They are obviously looking to keep their start to the season going. We're looking to kick-start ours after defeat last weekend. It's two teams who should be at the top end of the table."

"Most of my career I've played in a two and enjoyed it. Playing as a one you feel quite isolated, but in this formation it is so much different. There are a couple of tens who play higher up the park, so it is basically a three. There's more support than there would be playing as a two. I'm really enjoying it this year, and hopefully there will be a lot mor chances because the tens get on the ball a lot. It's an enjoyable formation to play in. Danny and Finn have been different class. Since Finn came in, you can see his qualities. He likes to get on it, half-turn and play forward quickly. That's something I am on board with. Any chance I get I can run in behind, and he likes to thread those balls through. With Danny, you've seen him for years and years doing the same thing, being a threat in the final third. He attracts defenders and leaves space for me to run into."

11th

Despite Argyle's exit from the League Cup, Steven Schumacher impressed the positives to take from the 2-0 defeat, praising several players. He said: "There were loads and loads of positives," said Schumacher. Brendan Galloway – how good was that to see him back on the pitch? To play 65, 70 minutes having not played for long. Just to have him about us, and to perform to the level that he can, is brilliant. He did brilliantly for us at the start of last season. He was a real fans favourite – he was our favourite as well! It was hard for Macaulay Gillesphey to get in the team because of how well Brendan was playing. Unfortunately, he had a horrific injury, and Macaulay stepped up. To have the two of them available, the fans will be made up because we have real competition. It's been a long journey for him, and I thought he played really well. Young Jack Endacott was outstanding. He played 90 minutes, and was knackered at the end, full of cramp, but he did himself proud. His family will be proud as well. I thought he was brilliant. He spoke about David Ajiboye at the start of the game, and said: 'he's really quick, Jack, give yourself a yard and defend properly against him'. He raced him at one point and Jack beat him! For someone so young, he has trained with us throughout pre-season, and did great. He has found himself in the right place at the right time. Two left wing-backs have gone down injured, and Bali Mumba had a bit of a dead leg from the weekend. We said: 'Jack, you're in' and he wasn't fazed by it. He got on with it, showed some real quality. A couple of mistakes, but that's understandable, he's a young boy.

"Nigel had his debut for us, and was brilliant. Again, cramping up at the end, but that is to be expected. It is why this game was good for us, to get 90 minutes into his legs. Really positive out of him as well.

"The negatives: the first half performance, especially the first 35 minutes. Six changes, people haven't played, maybe that's the reason behind it. We were a bit slow, didn't pass the ball forward enough. We were too negative. It was too easy for Peterborough to play against us. After about 35 minutes we got better. We put Luke Jephcott into number nine and put Niall Ennis as one of the number 10s. We had a three-v-two chance where we should have got a shot off, and a four-v-four opportunity where we should have done better. In the second half, we asked them to play at a better tempo, to be a bit more aggressive when we haven't got the ball, and show a bit of energy. Second half we did that, and I thought we were loads better."

Wolves loanee Nigel Lonwijk said of his Argyle debut: "It's always nice to be make your debut. It's my first 90 minutes in a long time. I'm happy to have made my debut and hopefully I will play a lot more. It was a difficult start. In the first 30 we just didn't get it right. In the second half we started really brightly, we had a great chance straight away. We created a lot of chances, and were more positive playing forward. If we had finished our chances it would have been a different game. After that chance, the crowd got behind us, and everyone felt there was a chance that we could turn the game around. It didn't happen, but it does give a good feeling going into Saturday because we know we can do it, we just need to focus on finishing our chances.

"The defence were good. Brendan did really well. He was out with an injury for a long time, so it was really good from him. Willo is a good leader; talking and helping me a lot."

17 year old Jack Endacott also made his debut in the game and spoke about his integration into the side following an eventful pre-season. He said: "It was great," he told Argyle TV. "I think I played well. Obviously, there are areas I can improve on, but it is a good moment for me and my family. It was a bit of a shock to me. I was a bit nervous, but I thought I might as well embrace it as best I can. I've been at the club since I was 10. I spoke to most of my family members when I found out yesterday, they were delighted. The other players said 'well done', and were really supportive of me. It was tough. In the first half he was probably getting the better of me, but I feel that in the second half I improved and had the better of him. The intensity is much higher. You have to adapt to that, and I thought it was a lot different."

10th

In the first of two home ties against Peterborough United in a matter of days, a much-changed Argyle side bowed out of the League Cup in the first round. The visitors got their first goal just before the half hour mark. Argyle pressed for an equaliser and sent up Mike Cooper for a late corner but this only resulted in a goal on the break for The Posh. Argyle lost 2-0. Argyle: Cooper, Wilson, Lonwijk, Galloway (Gillesphey), Edwards, Houghton (Mayor), Butcher (Randell), Endacott, Whittaker, Ennis (Hardie), Jephcott (Azaz). Subs: Burton, Scarr, Mumba, Roberts.

9th

Argyle have announced the sad passing of former manager Mick Jones. Jones initially joined Argyle in 1995 as assistant to Neil Warnock then managed the club between 1997 and 1998.

Argyle's League One fixture against Ipswich Town has been moved to Sunday 25th September - with a 12.30pm kick-off - due to selection for Sky Sports broadcast. The clash was initially scheduled to take place one day earlier, on Saturday 24th September.

Jordan Houghton previewed Argyle's League Cup clash with Peterborough on Wednesday, warning of a tougher game than last season's tie against the same opposition. He said: "It will be completely different. They will be a different animal to last season when we played them. Although they were in the Championship, they maybe had a lack of confidence, even that early on, I felt. They were sussing out who was going to be playing. We were full of confidence going into it, with new players eager to push on. They will be full of confidence this time, but we have a point to prove after Saturday. We want to get back to playing some good football – and back to winning. It should be an entertaining game, I think. Both teams will want to play attacking football. I'm looking forward to it.

"The start of the season is very hectic. Lots of games come around. It's going to be a squad effort. It takes a while to get into your stride physically and with performances as well. It was a learning curve in the second game of the season. Something we have looked on and hopefully can put right. That's the best thing that can happen really. When results don't go your way, and performances don't go how you want them to, the best thing is to get back out there and put it right with a good one. We have that opportunity on Wednesday. For us players, we just go out and do what the manager has been telling us to do. It's a slightly different formation that we've been playing. It's all about us learning and improving from game by game. It's going to take a little time to get the formation flowing like we want to, but we've showed positives signs early on."

7th

Steven Schumacher bemoaned Argyle's loss to Fleetwood, saying that he felt neither side truly did enough to win or lose the game. He mused:"I didn't feel that we deserved to lose the game, but I don't think we deserved to win it either. We weren't at our best. We're more than capable of coming to Fleetwood and winning. It was a poor goal and a bad result. I thought it was a little bit scrappy, especially first half. We got lulled into their game a little bit, we were a bit too direct and didn't pass the ball to our two number 10s enough. We got a little bit better at that in the second half but then didn't make the most of the opportunities. Bali produced a moment of quality and won us a penalty with a lovely bit of skill. There were instances where Joe got in, Bali got in and other people got in, but we just didn't make the final pass. In games that are going to be tight, and we knew it was going to be tough, with them playing their first home game for the new gaffer. It's early in the season and they are trying to get their first points. No-one individually was really poor, but no-one got to the top level that they can reach."

"That could be a positive out of it. We did keep going to the end, and the lads did have a good reaction, and caused a few problems. There were so many bodies in there, but it didn't fall for us. Small margins are the difference in the games, and we didn't execute our opportunities well enough. It's not all doom and gloom, we didn't play terribly, but we weren't at our best. If we were anywhere near our best, we would have won, but credit to Fleetwood, they stayed in the game, and when we made a mistake, they punished us. I'm glad there is another game this week, because we can put this to bed, make a few changes and people can stake their claim for a place in the following game. We will try to get a better performance on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup, and then there is another tough game at the weekend. It will be two hard games, and we will have to play better than we did today to get anything from them. We'll make a few changes. I think it's important that people get a chance to stake their claim. There's a few lads who didn't get on today who will be thinking 'why not?' It will be a chance to have a look at a few things. Places will be up for grabs on Saturday."

6th

Argyle suffered a heartbreaking first defeat of the season, after they through away a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 at Fleetwood. Highbury has not been a happy hunting ground in recent years but this looked like changing when Ryan Hardie slotted home a penalty to give Argyle the lead. The home side scored less than five minutes later, however. The score remained 1-1 until the dying moments of the game where the hosts scrambled in a scrappy goal. A last ditch chance from Mike Cooper, sent up from goal for a corner, was not enough to secure a point. Argyle: Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Gillesphey, Edwards, Butcher, Randell, Mumba (Houghton), Azaz (Whittaker), Hardie (Ennis), Mayor. Subs. Burton, Lonwijk, Galloway, Jephcott.

4th

Adam Randell looked ahead with relish to the game against Fleetwood on Saturday, making it clear that he wants to establish a firm place in the team for the coming season. The young Plymouthian said: "I want to be playing every game, not just five halfway through the season. I want to be there from the start until the end. I was happy to be starting. I feel as though I have started strongly and am in contention. I'm just trying to take each game at a time, and every time I play, play the best I can. I loved the game. We got a good result, and I thought we played well. We had things that we can work on and we're going to build on through the season. It was a good performance. There isn't a lot to complain about when you are winning. After the first game last season, we put in a cracking run. If we can do something similar, that would be really good. Me and Butch work well together. We've already got an understanding between us, of what we're going to do. If he runs forward I know I'm covering, or vice versa. It didn't really take us long to get into that partnership. It's an important one to have, because it's an important role in the middle of the pitch, to help the team. It can give the attacking players a lot more freedom, knowing they have us behind to cover them. It allows them to get forward, get into the box and create chances. Float about wherever they need to go, to be creative that way and not be tied down."

"I was involved in the one at Fleetwood last season. We just couldn't see it out. There was a mixture of mistakes – I was involved as well – so personally I want to put that right, and for the team as well. I want to go to go there and get another good result."

Steven Schumacher also looked ahead to the game, adding: "If you want to have a successful season you've got to back up results. This is a great chance for us on Saturday. The morale in the camp this week, as you can imagine, has been good. We got a positive result last week. We wanted to start the season well, it was a tough game against Barnsley, but we got all three points and played well, so that was great. Fleetwood are going to be right up for it, they didn't have a great result last weekend, so they will want to put that right. From our point of view, the message to the players will be that we have had a good start, but there are still areas of the game that we can improve, now we'll go to try and implement that. If we can get a win, perfect. I've been pleased with the willingness to take on new information. We've played with a new system so far. I've really enjoyed coaching it, it's given me something else to think about, and I think the players have been quite receptive. They seem to have enjoyed it. It's been refreshing. Something different to work on, something different to talk about, and the players have performed."

2nd

Argyle have announced new investment into the club. They have appointed Michael Mincberg to the Board of Directors at Home Park, following an investment by a US-based group of investors. The deal sees all of the £4m sum invested directly into the club for future projects. New shares will be issued directly to Argyle Green, LLC.

Chairman Simon Hallett said: "I speak as both a fan and the majority owner of Argyle when I say that I am delighted to welcome Michael to our board and the members of Argyle Green, LLC to the Argyle family.

"It is a rare thing in football to find a group of investors who wish to support an existing majority owner by taking a minority stake in a club to aid the fulfilment of the vision and strategy already in place. We are fortunate to have found that here with partners who are in alignment with our approach, share our values, and believe in the people that we have in place. Neither my role, nor the role of any member of our existing executive team will be diminished, and we are gaining additional resources to help us execute our long-term strategic plan. I hope the Green Army will offer as a warm a welcome to Michael and Argyle Green as they offered me when I first came on board in 2016."

Michael Mincberg himself added: "Our group has spent the last several months learning about Argyle, getting to know Simon Hallett and other members of the leadership team and visiting Plymouth. Argyle is a fantastic football club with an amazing fanbase and a very bright future. We share Simon's vision of achieving promotion through a strategic and sustainable approach."

1st

Finley Craske has joined Yeovil Town on a season-long loan. The 19 year old is able to play in defence and midfield and Steven Schumacher hopes he will be able to get some regular first team football in Somerset, saying: "We wish Fin good luck in his loan move. It has always been the plan for him to go and play games at a higher level than he did last season. I'm sure he will benefit from this experience and that will help his development in the future."

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