The Carey-Grant Show

Goals from Graham Carey and Joel Grant gave Argyle a 2-0 win against Torquay United at Plainmoor in the latest game in the pre-season schedule.

Jake Jervis had a penalty saved in the second half but overall this was Argyle’s sternest test of pre-season so far. Torquay, who hit the woodwork twice in the second half, were the better team during the first 30 minutes of the game, the pace and movement of their strikers and balls into the channels caused problems for the Argyle defence.

Manager Derek Adams played his usual 4-2-3-1 formation with Carey playing wide right and Ruben Lameiras playing behind Jervis who operated as a lone striker.

Argyle were very average during those first 30 minutes or so with creative players Carey and Lameiras virtual spectators, however a moment of class from Carey changed the complex of the game.
He drifted in from the right, played a one-two with Jervis and curled in a fantastic 25 yard shot and that hit the post and flew in. A superb strike.
From that point Argyle were the better team, the goal lifted the players.

For the second half Adams moved David Fox into a deeper position and Antoni Sarcevic, who struggled throughout the game, moved forward to partner Lameiras behind Jervis.
The tactical move worked because Fox was now pulling the strings and Argyle had better possession of the ball.

Gregg Wylde crossed to Jervis who was hauled down, the ref gave a penalty and after much debate between Jervis and Carey it was the former who took the spot kick but saw his shot saved.

Substitute Grant grabbed a late second goal when he headed in a Carey corner.

It was worth the admission fee alone just to watch Carey play and score that fantastic goal.

I think this match was a glimpse into next season. A functional performance which relied on a bit of magic from Carey and then hold the opposition and keep what we’ve got. It might work against some lesser League One sides but we shouldn’t rely on Carey.

Torquay gave us a good test, especially to our defence which despite some pressure kept another clean sheet.

Lameiras came alive in the second half, his movement and creativity was excellent. Yann Songo’o had a good game at the heart of the defence.

It was old stagers Fox and Carey who were our best players, Fox moved deeper in the second half and pulled the strings while Carey is a class above.

We are desperate for a new striker, any new signing will be our first choice I reckon. It was a shame to see Carey having to play as a striker late in the game, he got clattered a few times by the big Torquay centre-backs.

Jervis tried the lone striker role again and did win some headers but as some fans have said he struggles in this role against better opposition.

A good 30 to 45 minutes and good second half from the Greens. The first 30 minutes was a struggle.

Argyle – 23 Luke McCormick; 2 Gary Miller, 5 Ryan Edwards, 4 Yann Songo`o, 3 Gary Sawyer; 7 Antoni Sarcevic, 24 David Fox; 21 Gregg Wylde (16 Joel Grant 74), 11 Ruben Lameiras, 10 Graham Carey; 14 Jake Jervis (8 Lionel Ainsworth 74).