Plymouth Argyle v Ipswich Town
Sunday 25th September 2022 – 12:30
Home Park
Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike
Last weekends trip to high flying Sheffield Wednesday saw Town come within a whisker of securing a massive win and with it Three valuable points at the home of one of our biggest promotion rivals, alas it was not to be as Town failed to hold on in the last Quarter of the game, with the home crowd becoming more and more hostile and the officials buckling under the pressure our resistance finally cracked with the concession of a silly and needless free kick leading to Wednesday's first goal, that only served to fire up the home side even more and what was to follow doesn't need going over anymore as there is little point, suffice to say that the goal that led to a game we probably should have won being drawn certainly left a sour taste in the mouths of many Town fans, if the theory is correct that luck evens itself out then we can look forward to Two or Three bits of very good fortune soon, I won't be holding my breath.
When all is said and done a point at Hillsborough is certainly not a bad return and I don't share the view that it is Two points dropped, to a man we would have taken a draw before the game so we have to be relatively happy with the outcome, of course it is always hard to take when a two goal lead is squandered but the quality of our performance was more than pleasing and confirms we can lock horns with anyone in this Division. the draw keeps our unbeaten run intact and we also maintain our spot at the top of the division.
Tuesday evening saw our attention turn to the EFL papa John's Trophy and a home tie with Arsenal U21's, it was a much changed Town team that took to the field but still very strong and so it proved as Town chalked up their second win in the group stage to all but confirm our place in the second round knockout stages. It gave kieran McKenna the chance to give some fringe players some game time and a few looked very comfortable indeed, I thought on the night Dom Ball was on a different level to everyone else, I don't recall a single misplaced pass or lost tackle to be honest and despite the opposition being inexperienced it should not detract from his efforts, how he cannot get in the starting Eleven every week is a show of how strong our squad is.
Others to impress were Cameron Humphreys, Kayden Jackson, who bagged a goal to back up his excellent performance, Kyle Edwards and Richard keogh, all looking very solid. I think a special mention should also go to Leif Davis who I thought was excellent on the night and caused the Arsenal defence all manner of problems throughout. Progression in this competition can only be a good thing and we look set for at least Two more games which allows these players on the periphery of the first team to show the gaffer what they are about and in doing so give him some selection headaches.
I feel I have to give a special mention too to Freddie Ladapo who is clearly having a bit of a tough time in front of goal, I was so pleased when he finally got his second of the season with a neat finish to put the game to bed, added to his assist for Dom ball's opener it sounds like a decent evenings work but as we all know strikers are judged on putting the ball in the net, irrespective of their all round game and a few are giving Freddie the verbals, while I sometimes get the frustration I do feel it's all a bit unjust here, his general game and work rate has been very good and while he does have this languid way about him he certainly puts a shift in so I just hope the negativity towards Freddie stops as it will help no-one and only make the guys job that much harder.
Next up is another big One !! Sunday lunchtime on Sky normally fills us Town fans with dread, the Sky cameras are usually the death knell for our chances, but this is a different Town team these days and I for One am not superstitious anyway, the fact is we have just been crap for years, hence the poor TV showings. Plymouth Argyle host the Super Blues in a top of the table clash, the pilgrims, like Town, have had a good start to the season and currently sit in Third place behind Town and Portsmouth, a recent 2-2 draw at Portsmouth and 3-2 win at Derby County should be all the evidence we need as to how capable and dangerous they are, Town will not be taking this lightly at all but then again Plymouth will know they are looking at a really tough afternoon too and won't relish a bang in form Town team who are full of confidence rolling into Town.
I look at Plymouth's side on paper and if I am honest I struggle to recognise many of the names on their teamsheet, however that should not detract from how well they are going at the moment and we need to be respectful of them but at the same time we must go about our business as we always do, looking to play on the front foot, getting forward at every opportunity and taking the game to them, quietening the crowd is so important as could be seen at Hillsborough, ok we didn't quieten them but we did have them turning on the home side for a bit and if we can do that here too we will have a good chance of victory.
Again I see Town being good enough to at least come home with something and the unbeaten record still intact, however I believe we are good enough to sneak another big big win here providing we stick to our style of play, of course we are going to lose eventually and this game could be that game but i am going with another good afternoon for Town with at the very least a point for our troubles, with Portsmouth's game at home to Bolton being called off that would be enough to see us tick another tough game off while remaining in pole postition. COYB'S
Plymouth Argyle Honours
The Manager – Steven Schumacher
League Table
Form Guide
Plymouth Argyle
20 Aug Forest Green 0 - 3 Plymouth
27 Aug Plymouth 2 - 0 Bolton
3 Sep Derby County 2 - 3 Plymouth
13 Sep Plymouth 1 - 0 Oxford Utd
17 Sep Portsmouth 2 - 2 Plymouth
Ipswich Town
20 Aug Shrewsbury 0 - 3 Ipswich Town
27 Aug Ipswich Town 2 - 2 Barnsley
3 Sep Accrington 0 - 2 Ipswich Town
13 Sep Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Bristol Rovers
17 Sep Sheffield Wed 2 - 2 Ipswich Town
Head To Head
Match Referee – Scott Oldham
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 IPSWICH TOWN 2
<<—- regarding Freddie Lapado. Personally i too am 100% onboard with giving professionals in their respective trades “time”. Jury is out on whether Freddie has indeed had enough time yet, I genuinely don’t know. Unfortunately with some jobs, balls are required and the more heat given, the more he’ll need to face that and adjust accordingly. Its really not school sports day for these guys. They’re paid well not to just score, but read the game and put themselves into decent positions. 
