The Devon and Cornwall Derby

[Trapdoor]

I suspect whoever scores first will win. Can't see this game being a draw, I think both teams will be going hard for the 3 points.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Derby day!

Also..we've been warm weather training in Spain all week. Woke up and it was snowing in Plymouth this morning! Wonder if that's ever happened before.

Would like to win but right now I'd take the point and maintain the gap. Exeter are a dangerous team at the moment.

Off to the pub then.

 

[pafc_sam]

So annoyed I'm missing this one through work, has the potential to be one the most heated derbies in the last decade at least. Exeter fans are selling out their allocation for the first time since 2009 and the rest of Home Park is sold out so the atmosphere should be something special - will be interesting to see how the new players perform under this sort of pressure, as Argyle have a history of bottling under pressure.

Going to stick with my prediction of a 2-1 win for Exeter, I think their form their in now will propel them into top of the league, but hopefully Argyle will recover and find themselves in second or third come May.

 

[pafc_sam]

Derby day!

Also..we've been warm weather training in Spain all week. Woke up and it was snowing in Plymouth this morning! Wonder if that's ever happened before.

Would like to win but right now I'd take the point and maintain the gap. Exeter are a dangerous team at the moment.

Off to the pub then.

I've lived in Plymouth for 8 years and I think this is the third time I've seen it snow! Never seen it settle though so I don't there's any chance of this game being called off hahaha

 

[Trapdoor]

Cmon city!

Hopefully the argyle players are still thinking they are on the beach...

 

[pafc_sam]

Kennedy! 1-0 Argyle

 

[pafc_sam]

Half-time and it's 2-0 Argyle! Goals both from new signings!

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

Exeter fans were so cocky coming into this, even their local paper making out that we were running scared flying out to Spain for some training, apparently this defence of theirs is 'near, nigh unbreachable' and they're going to tear us to shreds...

They've just completely underestimated us, we tore their defence to pieces in that first half they just haven't been able to handle our attacking players coming at them from all angles. More of the same second half now please, hopefully they'll come out fired up for the second half to make a game of it

 

[pafc_sam]

Need to stay composed, 2 goal leads can vanish very quickly; especially in this league and Exeter have a few players who can score with half a chance.

 

[Pilgrim Meister]

3-0 at full time. Their unbeaten run torn down and city now back in reality

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I am so glad I live in the tropical south, can you imagine how taters it is up north.......like Bristol?

Brr it were blooming brass monkey's weather. It'll probably be colder on Tuesday night.

 

[Rob_of_the_green]

The gobby, cocky little brother has been bought back down to earth with a massive reality check

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I know I am biased because of the score, but this was a good, skillfull game played by two positive sides. It was a high level of entertainment, worthy of at least a league above. The only other side I have seen this year at Home Park that were as creative was Stevenage. That too was a great advert for League 2 football.

Make no bones about it the current version of Exeter can play, they just came against a side who were defensively on their game, and in attack were very creative. It is testiment to how we played that two of their big three goal scorers were substituted.Three of the four new players on display for us were a clear upgrade. We deserved to win, but I think this is not last we will hear of Exeter. They still have a good shot at automatic promotion.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

Well that wasn't fun. Plymouth didn't have many chances other than for their 3 goals. They were clinical and passed the ball much better than us. They deserved the win, although I don't think we were as bad as 3-0 suggests. We probably had more clear openings than Plymouth but we were wasteful. Game could have been different had we taken them.

Oh well.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I think it is fair to say that last year our away kit, the royal purple, was amongst the worst. Can anyone from Exeter explain why your kit was modelled on our steward's jackets? It was really disconcerting to see sixty or seventy tops on or near the pitch with exactly the same pantone!

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I think it is fair to say that last year our away kit, the royal purple, was amongst the worst. Can anyone from Exeter explain why your kit was modelled on our steward's jackets? It was really disconcerting to see sixty or seventy tops on or near the pitch with exactly the same pantone!

Well that wasn't fun. Plymouth didn't have many chances other than for their 3 goals. They were clinical and passed the ball much better than us. They deserved the win, although I don't think we were as bad as 3-0 suggests. We probably had more clear openings than Plymouth but we were wasteful. Game could have been different had we taken them.

Oh well.

BBC stats disagree, we had the same number of shots off target and we had more on target. There were quite few a moments in the first half you migth have scored, but in the second half after the first five minutes I never thought you would score (not to say you did not have chances, I just never thought you would take them).

Cannot see you keeping Wheeler and Watkins next year, they are both very good, especially Watkins.

 

[Trapdoor]

I am fucking gutted beyond words.

 

[Grecian O'Grecian]

BBC stats disagree, we had the same number of shots off target and we had more on target. There were quite few a moments in the first half you migth have scored, but in the second half after the first five minutes I never thought you would score (not to say you did not have chances, I just never thought you would take them).

Cannot see you keeping Wheeler and Watkins next year, they are both very good, especially Watkins.

Stats don't disagree with anything I said. I mentioned chances not shots. Either way we missed 2 free headers when both should have been scored, hit the bar and missed a good chance early second half.Just a shame that when we were on top in the first 10/15 minutes, we didn't take advantage. Your first goal was completely gift wrapped by our keeper and captains inability to take control of the situation.

Also, we know Watkins and Wheeler won't be here next. We'll get over it.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

I think Exeter were so busy riding the crest of their own (well earned) wave that they forgot that actually we are a good side second in the league and have been in the top 3 pretty much all season for a reason.

Exeter were good for the first 15 minutes, then we managed to get hold of the ball, calm down and the rest is history. Our new signings look a class above. Exactly what we needed attacking wise to bring that little bit of extra to our game.

Cardiff fans were surprised Colin let Kennedy join us for the season and I can see why. He's far better than league 2! Brilliant signing. I can say for the first time I'm genuinely confident of going up this season. Our defence is brilliant and our attack is clinical and creative. Taylor was different gravy today.

Shame Reuben missed that absolute sitter as well. Cheers for the 6 points chaps. Bragging rights are ours for now.

I'll just leave this here...those who know why, know why..

 

[Moomin]

Well that was a disappointing result and it sounds like Argyle deserved the win. The first goal was always going to be crucial and when we conceded I knew it would be a tough ask.

Anyway, it's one game and it doesn't define our season and it's massively important we get something on Tuesday at Notts to get back on track quickly.

The top two auto spots are gone to Donny and Cornwall but the third spot is well up for grabs so we must stay positive.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

I agree it was only one game, derbies should only be seen as a unique event and not necessarily indicative of anything wider.

I suspect you will be there or there abouts in the top three, and all power to your elbow.

Not sure we are automatic yet, in the next few games we have Carlisle, Mansfield, Wycombe, Luton and Doncaster. And Orient on Tuesday is a potential banana skin. That said I think we are in a much stronger position than last year, even though our pointage is esentially the same. Our bench is riduculously strong, and we have the depth we did not last year.

Your issue is that your first eleven is very good, lose a few to suspensions and injuries and you could struggle. Which is pretty much what happened to us last year. Lets hope you don't suffer the same fate.

What is clear is that at present Devon has got two of the best three or four teams in the league.

 

[ProfessorGreen]

Was very bemused when the ref/linesman gave the pen yesterday, wondered what it was for. Having just seen the highlights I can't believe it wasn't a red! If it was an outfield player it would have been. 2 feet flying about 4 foot off the ground!

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Was very bemused when the ref/linesman gave the pen yesterday, wondered what it was for. Having just seen the highlights I can't believe it wasn't a red! If it was an outfield player it would have been. 2 feet flying about 4 foot off the ground!

I was pretty much behind the lino, and I would not have given it live time, but he was really very clear. Yes he does go two footed but missed completely. Having seen the tv highlights, still do not think I'd give it. That said I could not see why the goal was disallowed at the other end, Pym appeared to flap at it and drop it.

There was another shout for a penalty a bit earlieron Taylor, that I thought was stronger, and it was either a pen or a goal kick. The decision...corner!

 

[Moomin]

Yeah definitely a penalty but my initial reaction was no penalty until I watched it a few times. Both feet off the ground so extremely dangerous play from Pym.

 

[Moomin]

I agree it was only one game, derbies should only be seen as a unique event and not necessarily indicative of anything wider.

I suspect you will be there or there abouts in the top three, and all power to your elbow.

Not sure we are automatic yet, in the next few games we have Carlisle, Mansfield, Wycombe, Luton and Doncaster. And Orient on Tuesday is a potential banana skin. That said I think we are in a much stronger position than last year, even though our pointage is esentially the same. Our bench is riduculously strong, and we have the depth we did not last year.

Your issue is that your first eleven is very good, lose a few to suspensions and injuries and you could struggle. Which is pretty much what happened to us last year. Lets hope you don't suffer the same fate.

What is clear is that at present Devon has got two of the best three or four teams in the league.

Indeed the signings Argyle have made in January have really strengthened the squad as a whole. I've always rated Ryan Taylor and Sarcevic has quality. Plus that Kennedy is highly rated.

Agree our squad lacks a little depth in certain areas, particularly in centre midfield. We will hopefully Lee Holmes back for the final 10-12 games who's a classy player at this level and just pray we don't suffer injuries to the likes of Watkins, Wheeler, Brown etc.

To be honest I'm still amazed we are where we are compared to the autumn so anything is a bonus really but I do think we should be making the play offs and if we can get back on track quickly 3rd spot is definitely do able.

 

[Boletus Edulis]

Indeed the signings Argyle have made in January have really strengthened the squad as a whole. I've always rated Ryan Taylor and Sarcevic has quality. Plus that Kennedy is highly rated.

Agree our squad lacks a little depth in certain areas, particularly in centre midfield. We will hopefully Lee Holmes back for the final 10-12 games who's a classy player at this level and just pray we don't suffer injuries to the likes of Watkins, Wheeler, Brown etc.

To be honest I'm still amazed we are where we are compared to the autumn so anything is a bonus really but I do think we should be making the play offs and if we can get back on track quickly 3rd spot is definitely do able.

I think you will be in the top seven at least and top three is possible especially as Carlisle seem determined to exit left, assuming the wrong people don't get injured. I think your run is not a flash in the pan that some of the other teams seem to have had.

I watched our first goal again on tv and there were two precision passes. We moved the ball sixty yards in seconds. You simply do not see that very often at this level.

Carey has not played well since late October, one reason is that teams have focused on him. You could not do that yesterday. I have a suspicion that Sarcevic could be the most significant of them all - box to box man. I am genuinely excited, I think I better lay down in a dark room for a few days!

 

[pafc_sam]

Really didn't expect a win, especially one that convincing.