The Big Match: Plymouth v Peterborough

There’s a couple of intriguing ties we wanted to cover in League One this weekend, not least Rochdale v Walsall which looks to be one between two sides tipped for the drop but not doing badly at all.

It would be remiss not to feature on of Plymouth against Peterborough and Doncaster v Portsmouth though and, as we did a Portsmouth feature yesterday, we’ve gone for Peterborough’s trip to Devon to face Plymouth Argyle.

The game features 21st against top, but surely the lowly placing of Plymouth is a false position given their performance last season. They may not be a top six contender this campaign, but they’ll offer a resilient of not devastating resistance to Peterborough’s attack.

The Pilgrims will likely set up in a 4-3-3 with the mercurial Graham Carey their star man as always. He’s picked up where he left off last season, with a goal and an assist already to his name. If it wasn’t for the talented 29-year old, Plymouth might be in more trouble this season than their early form wrongly suggests.

He isn’t the only key player though, Ruben Lameiras looks likely to earn a recall on the other side of the centre forward after Joel Grant failed to impress in the midweek draw with Wycombe. The 23-year old scored six himself last time out and if whoever sits in between him and Carey is on form, then Plymouth might spring a surprise. The main trouble is so far, that number nine simply hasn’t made himself known. Freddie Ladapo got his first goal of the season in midweek and if that is the early signs of an improvement in the former Palace man then things might be looking up for Derek Adams.

It isn’t as though they’re facing any old side though, they’re facing perhaps the strongest side in League One at the moment. Steve Evans loves a transfer and hates an official, but the controversial, larger than life character is enjoying some success at London Road after disappointing at Mansfield last season.

Much of that is down to Siriki Demebele, the talented player who couldn’t get a start at Grimsby last season, and Alex Woodyard, the freshly installed captain who helped fire Lincoln to the FA Cup quarter final a couple of years ago. Woodyard add some balance and industry to a talented bunch of midfielders and is often two or three passes behind their goals.

Up front, Jason Cummings is an inspired signing and his goals, along with the work of Matt Godden, are going to be hard to stop. Indeed, they can make history tomorrow by winning their opening five games at the start of a Football League season for the first time ever.

If Carey can find some space, Plymouth might have a chance, but on current form very little is going to knock Posh off their stride. When Portsmouth, Sunderland or Barnsley come knocking it might be different, but for now they have the wind in their sails and have puffed their chests out ready for a fight.

They’ll win this one by two goals or more.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*