Argyle Already On Holiday As Barnsley Win

Plymouth Argyle succumbed to their 11th home defeat season after another abysmal performance against relegation threatened Barnsley.

In fairness, Argyle were the better of the sides for the first 25 minutes, and, after Sawyer’s early headed goal, could have been 2-0 up if Judge’s shot had gone in, rather than hitting the bar. Argyle looked relaxed and played some good football (ON THE GROUND) especially on the left. As soon as Barnsley equalised, only one team was going to win and that was the Yorkshiremen. Argyle returned to the style which has been a factor of our decline this season, the hit and hoof.

It was a decent sunny day at Home Park, and the Barnsley fans had turned out in good numbers. Their fans were dressed in a carnival style with Bart Simpson, Superheros, men in pink dresses amongst their numbers.

Douala was starting his first game for Argyle, replacing Mackie, and it was clear that this game was his chance to earn a contract. The remainder of the line up was unchanged from previous games.

The game started well with Argyle winning 3 corners in the first 10 minutes and Douala having a longshot saved by Barnsley keeper Steele. The third corner was won after a good flowing move, on the left, involving Gallagher, Duguid, Fletcher and Sawyer. Gallagher took the inswinger and Sawyer rose unchallenged at the near post to flick the ball towards the opposite corner. The Barnsley defence and keeper were beaten and Argyle secured an early lead.

Barnsley tried to get back into the game and Bogdanovic had a shot easily saved by Larrieu. On 18 minutes Campbell-Ryce used his dribbling skills to get to the byline and hit a cross that looked goal bound. Larrieu managed to tip the ball wide.

Argyle started to dominate again and Barnsley looked nervous. On 24 minutes Duguid superbly broke up a Barnsley attack, in the Argyle half, and fed Douala on the halfway line. The Cameroonian ran at the Barnsley defence, and Duguid supported him on the left. 25 yards from goal, Douala played in Duguid, who hit a first time cross to the far post. Judge met the cross, on the volley, and his shot hit the bar. Barnes and Kozluk tried to get to the rebound but Steele managed to stop the ball going over the line.

Just after half an hour, the Barnsley fans were celebrating wildly as news was filtering through that Norwich were 3-0 down to Charlton. The Barnsley fans started to cheer and chant which seemed to inspire their players.

On 33 minutes, Barnsley had control of the ball on their left. The ball was taken into the Argyle half and played from left to right. The ball ended with on loan Liverpool winger Hammill. He cut inside a couple of challenges and hit a great low shot from 20 yards that easily beat Larrieu at his bottom right corner.

The tide had changed and it was all Barnsley. Bogdanovic shot just wide after a poor Argyle clearance led to a cross and Colace curled just over from 18 yards. Half time arrived and it was a half of two quarters for Argyle.

The second half started and Argyle looked to have already given up. On 47 minutes Macken won the ball and held it up in Argyle’s 18 yard box. Barker tried to challenge but slipped at the vital moment. Macken laid the ball back to Campbell-Ryce who slotted home from 10 yards. 2-1 to the team who hadn’t won in 8.

The game pretty much ended at this point. Argyle were content to play (and almost lose) the ball around their defence and Barnsley were happy to sit back.

Sturrock gave Douala the ‘Marin’ treatment by substituting him straight after the second Barnsley goal. Douala looked quite skillful and could run with the ball. He perhaps was a bit too selfish at times, but wasn’t the worst player on the pitch (Barnes, Gallagher and Gray were all hopeless at this point). Sturrock has said that Douala won’t be offered a contract, but to counteract any suggestions that it was a pointless signing, has said Douala’s presence has been a great help (although Rudi speaks barely a word of English).

On 75 minutes, to relieve themselves of the boredom on the pitch, the Argyle crowd started the Mexican wave. I think some of the Argyle players joined in, such was the lack of attacking threat on the pitch. Gallagher did shoot wide on 80 minutes and Noone’s cross come shot went out for a throw in.

As injury time set in, a long row of stewards lined up at the Barn Park End, as the Barnsley fans moved forward. In order to stop any pitch invasion, police dogs were also brought in. Commentator Fitzgerald said that any pitch invasion would stop the Argyle players doing their lap of (dis)honour. I lost heart and didn’t want to stay after another gutless performance.

So the season ends and we finish 21st. Sturrock said it would be a rollercoast, but there have been more lows than highs. The season has been poor, and for the first time in 8 seasons we have worsened as a side (looking at final league positions).

Some will highlight the lower attendances, and Argyle’s lack of financial ability to compete, but teams with similar sized support and budgets have done so much better. There have been considerable failings in permanent player signings, the tactics employed in games, timeliness and effect of substitutions, ambition and morale of media appearances. The club seems to be a shambles on and off the pitch.

Its clear Stapleton won’t sack his best friend Sturrock, nor will Sturrock leave. The club needs a wholesale change or we will be playing in League One the season after next. Sturrock and his management team have performed poorly and Argyle need Mr Kagami to take a controlling interest in the club, and instigate positive changes.

Holloway was wrong for how he acted and left the club, but at least he was positive. There was a buzz around the club and the fans believed (maybe too much). Sturrock has destroyed that with his negative views and his blaming of everbody but himself for Argyle’s situation. Sturrock might be more of a realist but I’d prefer him to say we’re looking at a top half finish next season, rather than ‘we won’t finish in the top 3’.

Roll on the next season, it can’t get much worse!