Town v Plymouth Argyle Match Thread

[BlueValour]

Huddersfield Town’s 2-1 home defeat to Reading on Saturday, 2 January 2020, brought to an end a six-game home unbeaten run. Carlos Corberán named an unchanged starting XI for the fifth successive game. Lucas João, back from five matches out injured, scored a second half brace as the Royals came back from Fraizer Campbell’s early opener. Our goal was the result of a slick attacking move and Town looked comfortable throughout the first period. However, we failed to press home our advantage and this was ultimately going to cost us. Reading, who had been able to make four changes, despite a day’s less preparation and their extensive travelling, looked the fresher side. They upped the pace in the second period and two defensive mistakes lost us all three points. The result saw Town slip to 13th in the Championship with 31 points from 23 games.

On Saturday, 9 January 2021, KO 18:00 we embark on our FA Cup campaign, at the 3rd Round stage, at home to League 1 Plymouth Argyle. This tie will be decided on the day with Extra Time and penalties if required. The match will be available, free of charge, live on the FA Player. Prior registration is required. It will not be purchasable on iFollow nor will it be available on the Sky Sports platform. The referee selected for this match is Martin Coy.

We have played our Devonian visitors infrequently in recent seasons but we have won all eight home league clashes with them since 1987! Our most recent meeting, at the John Smith’s Stadium, was on 11 January 2011, in League 1, when we won 3-2. After an own-goal, Jordan Rhodes, and Peter Clarke scored as Town battled back from two goals down albeit helped by Argyle being reduced to nine men by the end!

In 2019-20 Plymouth were promoted from League 2 in 3rd position. This term they exited the Carabao Cup, in the second round, at Leyton Orient after having eliminated Queens Park Rangers. Plymouth forward Luke Jephcott looks the man to watch. He took his goal tally to 14 for the season in all competitions as Argyle had a 1-0 home win over Gillingham on Saturday. The Pilgrims currently lie 17th in League 1 with 23 points from their 20 matches.

There are no nailed-on victories for Town in cup competitions, particularly since we are likely to play our youthful second string. Were we to play a full-strength side then I should be confident of a win. However, I think it is most likely that we will rest our key players and, against a physical, motivated team, I can see us slipping up.

Current PP odds:

90 minutes
Town: 4/5
Draw: 13/5
Plymouth: 3/1
Plymouth to Draw or Win: 10/11

[Christ in Shades (art)]

Now that an interesting stat, the 8 consecutive home wins since 1987.

[joeyjoneslocker]

Thanks for the heads up about FA Player, I didn’t know.
I remember we really struggled to beat the 9 men Plymouth, 3-2.
I think it’s the only Town game in history, possibly Barnsley at home too, where I would not have been bothered if we didn’t win. The 9 men of Plymouth were a credit to their fans, they gave every ounce of energy.

[Baby Ate My Eight Ball]

I’d play a similar team that started against Bradford in the summer friendly.

Jackson, Daly, Critchlow etc. Would give all the first teamers the day off other than Schofield, they’re out on their feet.

[ambryboy]

Jan 3, 2021 9:49:03 GMT 1 joeyjoneslocker said:

Thanks for the heads up about FA Player, I didn’t know.
I remember we really struggled to beat the 9 men Plymouth, 3-2.
I think it’s the only Town game in history, possibly Barnsley at home too, where I would not have been bothered if we didn’t win. The 9 men of Plymouth were a credit to their fans, they gave every ounce of energy.

I seem to recall they had a young Joe Mason playing that night and he looked absolute class destined for much bigger things, however I've just Googled him and see that he now plays for MK Dons so perhaps not

[Uddersfield]

I’d play the same team that played in the 2nd half against Bradford. Be good to see a few of them in a competitive match especially Diarra. That boy is going to sell for millions in a few years btw. Unreal player.

[tepidterrier]

I usually like the FA cup, but it has no meaning behind closed doors and the squad we have doesn't need the extra games. But then again we're having a mid table season. Think it should be a second string team as well. Chance for players like Daly, Phillips and Crichlow to get a bit of first team time.

[colnevalleyblue]

Jan 3, 2021 10:52:46 GMT 1 ambryboy said:

Jan 3, 2021 9:49:03 GMT 1 joeyjoneslocker said:

Thanks for the heads up about FA Player, I didn’t know.
I remember we really struggled to beat the 9 men Plymouth, 3-2.
I think it’s the only Town game in history, possibly Barnsley at home too, where I would not have been bothered if we didn’t win. The 9 men of Plymouth were a credit to their fans, they gave every ounce of energy.

I seem to recall they had a young Joe Mason playing that night and he looked absolute class destined for much bigger things, however I've just Googled him and see that he now plays for MK Dons so perhaps not

Mason was class that evening, if memory serves he was applauded off the park by the Town fans.

We got very lucky that evening.

[Terrier Ramone]

As has been said earlier, change every outfield player, I normally hate that & want us to go for it in cups but this is very unusual circumstances, they all need a break.

[mids]

For once it would be nice if the club made a concerted effort to try and progress a round or two.

As the league campaign is clearly going to end in mid table mediocrity without any real dramas we have an opportunity to give the FA Cup our full attention.

Play a strong team and crack on. They will all have had a full week's rest before the game. The poor loves will be fine.

[dm]

Hamer
Duhaney
Crichlow
? probably REG
Brown
Vallejo
Diarra
Jackson
Daly
Rowe
Phillips

Not entirely sure of the formation or who would partner Crichlow other than REG. Are any of the injured players nearing a return and could play some minutes? We'll probably still have a few first team regulars starting.

[iangreaves]

Hamer

Duhaney Olagunju Critchlow Brown


Vallejo Jackson Pritchard


Diakhaby Phillips Daly

[k1man999]

Hopefully the lad from Newcastle goes through and we have signed the Irish lad so I'd throw them in get some proper match practice.

[sabailand]

Jan 3, 2021 9:49:03 GMT 1 joeyjoneslocker said:

Thanks for the heads up about FA Player, I didn’t know.
I remember we really struggled to beat the 9 men Plymouth, 3-2.
I think it’s the only Town game in history, possibly Barnsley at home too, where I would not have been bothered if we didn’t win. The 9 men of Plymouth were a credit to their fans, they gave every ounce of energy.

One of the rare occasions where some fans were actually booing the team off after a win!

[terriersyndrome]

Hamer

Brown
Critchlow
REG
Duhaney

High
Vallejo
Daly

Grant
Phillips
Rowe

[tepidterrier]

Jan 3, 2021 13:08:55 GMT 1 dm said:

Hamer
Duhaney
Crichlow
? probably REG
Brown
Vallejo
Diarra
Jackson
Daly
Rowe
Phillips

Not entirely sure of the formation or who would partner Crichlow other than REG. Are any of the injured players nearing a return and could play some minutes? We'll probably still have a few first team regulars starting.

as others mentioned in their lineups, Olagunju is probably next in line, he's been on the bench a couple of times this season. Thought he looked like an interesting player in pre season

[tepidterrier]

I'd keep Schofield in but change everyone else- he needs as much game time as he can get to improve his all round game and confidence outside of shot stopping. Second string basically picks itself as the squad is so thin, just a case of who plays where.

[kennyk2]

After the U-19s performance against Newcastle, I'm really hoping that he gives some of these lads a chance. Diarra and Bright perhaps.

[dm]

Jan 3, 2021 14:32:14 GMT 1 tepidterrier said:

Jan 3, 2021 13:08:55 GMT 1 dm said:

Hamer
Duhaney
Crichlow
? probably REG
Brown
Vallejo
Diarra
Jackson
Daly
Rowe
Phillips

Not entirely sure of the formation or who would partner Crichlow other than REG. Are any of the injured players nearing a return and could play some minutes? We'll probably still have a few first team regulars starting.

as others mentioned in their lineups, Olagunju is probably next in line, he's been on the bench a couple of times this season. Thought he looked like an interesting player in pre season

I thought Olagunju was out on loan? There's Ayina as well who plays for the B team.

I just went off player profiles for the first and B teams. Should have gone to the U19's as well and forgot about Grant signing. The profiles section is pretty useless on HTAFC.com. Should just have a First Team section and a Reserves section for all non-first team regulars.

[alexdire]

Jan 3, 2021 12:49:29 GMT 1 Terrier Ramone said:

As has been said earlier, change every outfield player, I normally hate that & want us to go for it in cups but this is very unusual circumstances, they all need a break.

I agree the first team can have two weeks to recuperate. Plus we'll get another free Saturday in January if we go out.

Also with no fans being in the grounds. Their is no financial advantage to being in the 4th round. It's a cost. I can see a lot of championship clubs putting reserve teams out and not being too bothered if they go out.

[Christ in Shades (art)]

There is a few I'd like to see get some game tome here without chucking the tie, namely Crichelow and Phillips. I see no reason to rest Schofield though.

[Tinpot]

It's a balancing act.

On the one hand, in a season where we have mid-table written all over us, and a large crop of promising youngsters that need game time I want us to give the cup a decent amount of priority. On the other, our squad is painfully thin even without injuries, and a few of our first teamers look absolutely shot.

Who needs a rest? Rest them. (Examples = Pipa, Eiting)
Who needs game time? Play them. (Examples = Crichlow, Brown)

In addition to that, my understanding is that anyone who has been on loan already this season cannot go elsewhere in the 2nd half of the season if they're picked for our match vs Plymouth. Not necessarily a problem & it may be beneficial to start integrating them into the side, but something to bear in mind for those fringe youngsters.

Also, youngsters might learn more from playing alongside senior pros than they do from other youngsters, so it may be that (e.g.) Hogg could get the nod.

[Tinpot]

Jan 3, 2021 14:50:02 GMT 1 dm said:

Jan 3, 2021 14:32:14 GMT 1 tepidterrier said:

as others mentioned in their lineups, Olagunju is probably next in line, he's been on the bench a couple of times this season. Thought he looked like an interesting player in pre season

I thought Olagunju was out on loan? There's Ayina as well who plays for the B team.

I just went off player profiles for the first and B teams. Should have gone to the U19's as well and forgot about Grant signing. The profiles section is pretty useless on HTAFC.com. Should just have a First Team section and a Reserves section for all non-first team regulars.

Yep. Welling.

Hopefully he'll get as much out of the move as Crichlow seems to have done.

[jqhtfc]

Well going on what Carlos said yesterday he’s using it as a game to give players who haven’t had my minutes a run out so I’ll go.

Hamer

Rowe
Critchlow
REG
Brown

Vallejo
Jackson
Pritchard

Grant
Phillips
Diakhaby

Bench full of b team lads

[Bassingham Terrier]

Town definitely on a poor run where Cup competitions are concerned.
This season's 0-1 home defeat by Rochdale in the EFL Cup was Town’s sixth straight defeat in EFL and FA Cup competitions without scoring, and four of those have come against lower League opposition.
Criminal.

[joburgjon]

Jan 3, 2021 15:15:40 GMT 1 jqhtfc said:

Well going on what Carlos said yesterday he’s using it as a game to give players who haven’t had my minutes a run out so I’ll go.

Hamer

Rowe
Critchlow
REG
Brown

Vallejo
Jackson
Pritchard

Grant
Phillips
Diakhaby

Bench full of b team lads

Ifhe plays Pritchard and Diakhaby they'd then be cup tied, so if they are considering selling them then they may not play.

Hamer

Rowe
Ayina
Chrichlow
Brown

High
Diarra
Daly

Grant
Philips
Jackson.

I'd like to see High, but I think he'll play Vallejo.

If we sign anyone during the week who has been playing first team football, then he may play. I remember Izzy playing against Port Vale when he came in.

[Headless Chicken]

Jan 3, 2021 15:03:37 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

It's a balancing act.

On the one hand, in a season where we have mid-table written all over us, and a large crop of promising youngsters that need game time I want us to give the cup a decent amount of priority. On the other, our squad is painfully thin even without injuries, and a few of our first teamers look absolutely shot.

Who needs a rest? Rest them. (Examples = Pipa, Eiting)
Who needs game time? Play them. (Examples = Crichlow, Brown)

In addition to that, my understanding is that anyone who has been on loan already this season cannot go elsewhere in the 2nd half of the season if they're picked for our match vs Plymouth. Not necessarily a problem & it may be beneficial to start integrating them into the side, but something to bear in mind for those fringe youngsters.

Also, youngsters might learn more from playing alongside senior pros than they do from other youngsters, so it may be that (e.g.) Hogg could get the nod.

Totally agree with all the points you raise, plus there's a week between games too. By all accounts the training is often intense, so can't they effectively get some of their rest by missing out on the likes of murder ball?

[Tinpot]

Jan 3, 2021 15:44:45 GMT 1 Headless Chicken said:

Jan 3, 2021 15:03:37 GMT 1 Tinpot said:

It's a balancing act.

On the one hand, in a season where we have mid-table written all over us, and a large crop of promising youngsters that need game time I want us to give the cup a decent amount of priority. On the other, our squad is painfully thin even without injuries, and a few of our first teamers look absolutely shot.

Who needs a rest? Rest them. (Examples = Pipa, Eiting)
Who needs game time? Play them. (Examples = Crichlow, Brown)

In addition to that, my understanding is that anyone who has been on loan already this season cannot go elsewhere in the 2nd half of the season if they're picked for our match vs Plymouth. Not necessarily a problem & it may be beneficial to start integrating them into the side, but something to bear in mind for those fringe youngsters.

Also, youngsters might learn more from playing alongside senior pros than they do from other youngsters, so it may be that (e.g.) Hogg could get the nod.

Totally agree with all the points you raise, plus there's a week between games too. By all accounts the training is often intense, so can't they effectively get some of their rest by missing out on the likes of murder ball?

Good point, and another factor to include in the balancing act!

[linson]

It's a shame Austerfield is out on loan at Hyde, he impressed me the most from the summer preseason games and I think it's a shame he hasn't had much game time.

Otherwise I agree with what people have put in here, the team pretty much picks itself and the real shame will be the lack of pro's to help bed the youngsters, so to speak. We really have so few experienced players on the fringe of the first team.

I think it will be interesting to see if Diakhaby and Pritchard are involved, if not they could be on their way, which I really hope. If they are involved then they're leaving for free in the summer and they will be the worst signings (fee + wages vs reward) we've ever made in my opinion.

Personally would like to see Grant and any other new comers start this along with Vallejo, Diarra, Phillips and Crichlow.

I also wouldn't rest REG.

[Wingman]

Play the kids, with a sprinkling of experience such as Hamer, Vallejo, Diakhaby and Pritchard in there.

No better time, and against a decent strength opposition.