So to summarise....CHRISTMAS STYLE!

Hi everybody sorry for the lateness in this post, hetic schedule at university.....

So here is a MASSIVE summary to what has happened so far to the style of "Once in Royal David City" just as its almost Christmas Enjoy :)

Once in royal Plymouth City, stood a lowely scottish man, he could only watch as Argyle lost, once at home and twice away, Leciester, Sheffield and Swansea too, took 3 points and Sturrock was so blue.

The Board called time on dear old Paul's career, with much loss and muuuuuuuch regret, He had pulled Argyle from the slumber, two titles and the heights of Championship, his second spell oh he had tried, but it was not enough for us.

In he came, the legend Paul Mariner, ex-england international and Argyle great, though he had been working in the MLS, the time had come to show his worth at Home (park). Apprentice for the Sturrock now gone, to save us from the relegation zone.

For League 1 is not where Plymouth belong, But Mariner's start has not been the best, 2-0 loss away to Preston, though be fair, they're doing really well. So now to the rest of the season, Mariner needs to sort this Great team out.

I hope that has updated you with all the past two month's going on at Plymouth Argyle

Who Doesn't Love a Crossbar Challenge??

All the efforts from Plymouth Argyle in the past years, mostly from Soccer am and 1 made by Argyle's very own "Plymouth World"!

Enjoy!!

2009


2008


2006

And we're off to 2018!

So Home Park has joined the race against 15 other cities to become a host city should England's bid for the 2018 World Cup be successful. The bid was officially launched yesterday on the 26th of November with Plymouth up against the likes of London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds and Newcastle-Gateshead.

I for one am massively delighted to see this happen when it originally was thought up back in August when the new board took over and would absolutely love it if Plymouth were to get that chance. The benefits be excellent:

The chance to push on with the redevelopment of Home Park, which has been several years in the making, to see Home Park become an all seater stadium accomodating 43,000 fans, doubling its current capacit of just under 20,000.

The pulling power of tourism to Devon as a whole with plenty of international fans able to enjoy and discover the true beauty of the South West showing another side of England rather than the stereotypical "its all about London. It would also create jobs and income which can only be good.

On a more personal note, potentially going to see a World Cup match merely an hour down the road from where I live, rather than having to trek as far as London or Birmingham to do so as well as many other people from the South West of England is an awesome thought.

The F.A will be looking to showcase the entirety of England and Plymouth, a largely understated place, a place that most people have never heard of outside of Devon or Cornwall and whose only famous for clotted cream and pasties!!

It will be three weeks before the Football Association makes its decision, and with 10 out of the 15 being selected, Plymouth has as much chance as anyone else.

So good luck Plymouth.......GET ON YOU JANNERS!!!


AND if that wasnt enough, here is the promotional video of Plymouth presented by the very sexual Helen Chamberlain from Soccer AM:

Sturrock Not For Scotland!!!!

On Western Morning News' website Manager Paul Sturrock was quick to quash any link between himself and the Scotland manager vacancy

We can all sleep a little better now

Sturrock and Scotland???

With George Burley being sacked by the Scottish F.A, the search has begun for the next Scotland manager.

There have been quite a few big names already linked with the post such as Walter Smith, Dundee United manager Craig Levin,Graeme Souness has already rules himself out, former Scottish midfielder John Collins as well as fomer Pilgrim flop boss Bobby Williamson........and our very own Paul Sutrrock???

The bookies have placed him as 50/1 outsider to succeed Burley.

Crazy,unthinkable I hear you say. Well maybe not so....

For it was Sturrock who had a reasonably sucerssful stint in the Scottish side back in the 80's scoring three goals in 20 appearances and was in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup squads with Sturrock featuring in 2 group games of the later.

And he has been quoted in the past of wanting to coach a national side before he reitres, and no country would be more wanted by him than his homeland.

I personally dont think he will, but you never know......watch this space

The Best Players and Moments of the 2006/2007 season

An 11th place finish in the Championship, our highest league finish in 20 years, An F.A Cup run that went all the way to the Quarter-Finals, and a team filled with quality such as Ebanks-Blake, Hayes, Buzsaky, Nalis, Halmosi and a super loan spell from Chelsea's Scott Sinclair........GOOD TIMES!!!

Mariner Revolution Continues to Grow

It’s been three games since Ex-England striker Paul Mariner began to work his magic as head coach at Plymouth Argyle. A loss, a draw and a win; not bad for a man whose only just getting to grips with life in the Championship and not just that, working with a team that has been fighting with relegation since day one of the season.

And these games have not been easy ones either; it was always going to be tough going to Ashton Gate which has not seen an away team win in the league so far. 3-1 may have looked like a bad score but there were positives. Argyle had held Bristol at bay for 73 minutes before Danny Haynes struck the first goal.

And the Pilgrims did not let their heads drop either, within two minute Jamie Mackie had equalised showing signs of resilience and determination from Plymouth which fans had seen in the 2-1 win against Scunthorpe. Not to mention it was Mariner’s first game overseeing the team afterall.

Then onto the Ipswich Town game. In a tense game where both teams were trying to get some points to climb out of the relegation zone, neither wanting to lose, Plymouth took the lead with a fantastic strike from Carl Fletcher. Argyle almost took all three points at Home Park and were unlucky not to as concentration slipped, Gary Sawyer gifting Jon Stead the equaliser, the red card to Darcy Blake not helpful either.

The transformation was beginning to show, a team showing commitment, a desire to win and to get their floundering team out of the grips of League One, which is what they are paid to do. However the next game was to be the true test for Mariner and Sturrock: Middlesbrough. A name that has always been surrounded with top flight football, a team that has had such stars as Fabrizio Ravenelli and Juninho Paulista in the starting 11.

But it is a club in transition, with Gordon Strachan taking the helm only five days before the game against Argyle. So this was the best time as ever to go to the Riverside. A passionate team display resulted in a fantastic 0-1 victory with Sawyer, redeeming his error from the previous week, sending Mackie through the defenders with a long ball, who calmly slotted past Brad Jones getting Argyle to within a point of being free from the relegation places.

And it is not just the results that Mariner has been having an impact on. Paul Sturrock has noticed a significant change in the way he does things saying “it's been a while since I've got my teeth into things like I have over the last ten days, so I've really enjoyed it.

"Him and I have worked hand in hand as far as the training is concerned and I've enjoyed myself as well."

Being a former striker for such teams Ipswich Town, Arsenal and of course Argyle, Mariner was quick to get stuck in with Argyle’s front line, one of which was Ashley Barnes: "I know he's a legend at the club, and hopefully I can learn from him.

"He has already helped me. He told me a few things which I took into the game, and that was good."

This freshness to training has also seemed to have had an effect on the fringe players, with two being involved on Saturday, Yoann Folly and Alan Gow, both who produced excellent performances and will no doubt be in contention for next week’s game against Doncaster at Home Park.

So, bring on the next couple of months, for this will be the time where the Mariner Revolution will hopefully flourish and see Plymouth Argyle lifted to safer heights.

Plymouth Argyle 1 Ipswich Town 1: Cracker from Carl Cancelled By Sawyer Stupidity

A point. Not three but one. However, I don't know about you but i was very happy with the Pilgrims' performance. It was committed, it was full of effort and it almost ALMOST paid off.

I was literally jumping for joy when i saw Plymouth Argyle had taken the lead! And what a goal it was an absolute stonker, from all of 25 yards. It's fantastic to see the midfielders scoring like Fletcher and Judge, I just wish the strikers would do it too. We have to score more goals than one each game if we are going to win, its just fact.

And it showed as Jon Stead, on as a substitute for Counago, ran on to a terrible back pass from Gary Sawyer and slotted past "Le Keeper" to level the score.

BUT for one I am happy. a point is better than none, and though this is not the rejuvanation i wanted to see with a win IT IS a change! Paul Mariner has already had an impact on the team as everyone gave their all and all we have to do now is work on getting rid of all "zany moments" and we have a real chance of getting out of the bottom 3 and staying in the Championship

THANK YOU PAUL MARINER!

Plymouth Argyle vs Ipswich Town: Make Or Brake!

Two teams. Two under pressure managers. One crucial match. This is going to be a good'n!!

It is looking good for our team going into Saturday's game. Kari Arnason has recovered from a chest infection that meant he missed the Bristol game on Tuesday. This is excellent news as he does a sterling job in midfield or can always sure up the defence as he showed in previous games.

We have Rory Fallon, Darcy Blake and James Paterson all available if Sturrock wants to change it up a bit, especially Fallon whose one of the only strikers to have scored for us so far this season. and his aerial threat is always a danger.

Im saddened to hear that Bradley Wright-Phillips is still struggling with a knee injury and hope he is able to be back soon, as we really need someone to start scoring plenty of goals.

Then to Ipswich; Roy Keane is waiting to hear if Jon Walters is available for the game. The top scorer for Ipswich with 4 goals is having treatment on a sprained ankle so could miss out. But Ipswich have plenty of attacking options with Jon Stead or Tamas Priskin upfront.

Plymouth starting 11 i would like to see:

1 Larrieu

18 Sawyer

37 Lawry

5 Timar

39 Gray

8 Mackie

11 Arnason

2 Duguid

6 Clarker

14 Fallon

24 Barnes

Score Predictions:

Me: Well i think it will be tight both teams will be giving it their all, but this is the turnaround for Argyle I think, at Home Park, i would love to see a win so I predict 2-0

Jon Parker, my friend and Ipswich Fan: 1-3 win to Ipswich

SO...........let "battle of the bottom" commence!!!

Steve MacLean: All Washed Out

I think you can all agree it was coming.

Steve MacLean, was in the form of his life......during his time at Sheffield Wednesday between 2004 to 2007 scoring a brilliant 33 goals in 84 appearances and though suffered set backs with a couple of injuries, was loved by the fans and by Paul Sturrock.

Then things went slightly pear shaped at Cardiff. More injuries and Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to contend with MacLean found himself game after game on the bench.

But things looked up for the Scottish player with a 500,000 pound transfer to Plymouth Argyle a record signing fee at the time. This was his chance to rekindle the form he had had under our Sturrock at Wednesday.

............This didn't happen, as during the past 3 seasons with 41 appearances to his name, he only managed 5 goals. And though the start of the season looked good for MacLean as Sturrock tried a new formation with the striker heading the line, which seemed to work against Romanian champions FC Unirea Urziceni as he grabbed the winner in the pre-season friendly. He even started the first 3 games of this season in the Championship.

But, I think it has been increasingly apparent that he is a waste of space, which is a real shame as he cost a very pretty penny and his return was very poor. He vanshied from the squad not even getting on the substitutes bench showing that Sturrock lost faith him too with him stating:

"It is appropriate for both us. Steve obviously wants the ideal move and I am appreciative of it...He has come here and there are all sorts of opinions and thoughts on the reasons why, but it just hasn't worked. We all have to be man enough about the situation and move on."

Therefore todays news that Steve MacLean can leave the club is not a surprise. It means less waste of wages and hopefully some sort of return on that half a million pounds, though im predicting not much at all.

On another note, has anyone seen BWP??? what has happened to him.....please don't say he is another Mpenza!!!

A "zany" moment too far??

Bristol City 3 Plymouth Argyle 1

As new head coach, Paul Mariner has a serious amount of work on his hands after the only thing keeping Argyle off the bottom of the Championship was Ipswich's failure to get their first win for the 13th time of asking.

Though there is plenty of anger towards Sturrock at the moment from other blogs, declaring his removal, as well as questions over the new board, I for one feel that Mariner and Sturrock can be a winning formula with Sturrocks knowledge of the English leagues and Mariner with his legendary status and years of experience as an assistant manager. And the board have implemented their plans well, and if we can stage a game at home park for the world cup bid then the better!!



But like you, I was left frustrated by the amount of goals we conceded in such a small amount of time. And though there was a small dawn when Mackie equalised after Danny Haynes had volleyed bristol infront, it was a false one as further goals from Jamie McCombe and Nicky Maynard, city's top scorer finished off the poor pilgrims.

Paul Sturrock put it down to "zany moments" and said that "there were a lot of good performances tonight, yet we end up 3-1 losers. Saturday's game with Ipswich is now absolutely huge.

And he is absolutely right, if we can't get a win against the worst team in the league, then what else can we do apart from be positive.......... Saturday awaits!!!!

And So It Begins........

Hello and welcome to my new blog "The Green Army Gab". My name is Liam McGrath, I am a second year sports journalist studying at Staffordshire University. I live in Kingsbridge, Devon and have always followed Plymouth since i moved down to the nicest place in the U.K in 1999, but now they are my keenest interest which is the reason I have set up this Blog.

With this blog I hope to keep all the budding pilgrims out their, up to date with the latest news from Home Park, my opinions on it and hopefully, yours as well on the best football club in the entire South West of England.

I will be looking forward and previewing Argyle ahead of their games in the Championship, discussing the results, and all the in between "Gab" as well. Through the lows (as you will agree there are a lot of them at the moment!) and the highs of Plymouth Argyle Football Club.

At some point this year I will also be getting an insight into PAFC, as I am in the middle of securing work placement at the "Theatre of Greens", so I will be keeping you posted on my day in day out working, keeping a diary as I go.

I hope you enjoy this blog as much as i am going to enjoy writing it.

Liam McGrath :)