Preston North End v Plymouth Argyle

The positive is Argyle are absolutely electrifying going forward. The way they build through the 3rds with pace and precision is brilliant.

However Let’s not become “good losers”. Can’t keep accepting good performances but have nothing to show for it. For me argyle a soft touch at the back right now. Gifting goals at vital moments to opponents ( first minute/ last minute ) the defending simply isn’t good enough and they can’t gift teams goals and expect to pick up points at this level.

The keeper has to look himself too whilst having some good moments has now palmed out two crosses into oncoming attackers ( Southampton last minute and Preston first minute ) surely he should be punching these away ? I know he splits opinion but That’s 2 vital goals he’s given away in my opinion.

As I say argyle good going forward and create chances for fun but they need to convert more of these, they need to be more ruthless at both ends to become more consistent in this division.

Grovehill wrote:

We can't go on playing well but not getting points.  I think it may be time to revert to the formation that was  successful last season

Shape isn’t the problem. It’s concentration/ individual mistakes.

Don't think we played particularly well. Preston were on top for most of the first half and were 2v0 up by the time we started playing. We dominated second half, but could have easily conceded on the counter. Got the impression we only took control of the game when Preston sat back a bit.

We don't have any aerial presence, which makes it too predictable upfront. We can win loads of corners but there's no one in the box to target, so we end up just trying to stick the ball on top of the keeper, or playing it short and trying to play someone in through a packed penalty area. The fact we have to bring Dan Scarr on to offer some height shows there's a problem there. Given how attacking we set up, we aren't scoring enough goals.

Miller looked off the pace, especially in the first half and Kesler Hayden had a torrid time against their left winger (both goals came down that side). The second half substitutions didn't seem to help, indeed they seemed to upset the rhythm of a game we were dominating.

Flat_Track_Bully wrote:

Don't think we played particularly well. Preston were on top for most of the first half and were 2v0 up by the time we started playing. We dominated second half, but could have easily conceded on the counter. Got the impression we only took control of the game when Preston sat back a bit.

We don't have any aerial presence, which makes it too predictable upfront. We can win loads of corners but there's no one in the box to target, so we end up just trying to stick the ball on top of the keeper, or playing it short and trying to play someone in through a packed penalty area. The fact we have to bring Dan Scarr on to offer some height shows there's a problem there. Given how attacking we set up, we aren't scoring enough goals.

Miller looked off the pace, especially in the first half and Kesler Hayden had a torrid time against their left winger (both goals came down that side). The second half substitutions didn't seem to help, indeed they seemed to upset the rhythm of a game we were dominating.

Agreed. If that had been Edwards today the mantra would have been that he lacks pace for the championship, over the hill etc.I do like TKH as a player but his defending leaves a lot to be desired at times, probably the reason why he hasn't made the first team at Villa.

Dane wrote:

The positive is Argyle are absolutely electrifying going forward. The way they build through the 3rds with pace and precision is brilliant.

However Let’s not become “good losers”. Can’t keep accepting good performances but have nothing to show for it.   For me argyle a soft touch at the back right now.  Gifting goals at vital moments to opponents ( first minute/ last minute ) the defending simply isn’t good enough and they can’t gift teams goals and expect to pick up points at this level.

The keeper has to look himself too whilst having some good moments has now palmed out two crosses into oncoming attackers ( Southampton last minute and Preston first minute ) surely he should be punching these away ?  I know he splits opinion but That’s 2 vital goals he’s given away in my opinion.  

As I say argyle good going forward and create chances for fun but they need to convert more of these, they need to be more ruthless at both ends to become more consistent in this division.

100%, all of the above.

We are still very fragile defensively, a problem we've had pretty much all the time under Schuey. Except this season that's going to be exposed a lot more than it was in L1.  The aim this season is 21st position which is how this team pretty much looks atm.  Really need to strengthen the defence in January because we will be in a relegation scrap in the run-in.

no experience in the team of the championship and we are trying to learn on the job.. not ideal imo really should have brought in a healthy mixture of player over the summer.

Angry wrote:

no experience in the team of the championship and we are trying to learn on the job.. not ideal imo really should have brought in a healthy mixture of player over the summer.

All comes back to funding really. I'm sure that the manager would liked to have bought in players who had pedigree in the championship but you have to pay the going rate for them-not a new situation as far as Argyle are concerned at this level.