Ahead Of The Game - Talk The York

LIAM SPENCE takes a look at the week in prospect at Home Park...

After a Vadaine Oliver lob condemned Argyle to their first defeat in eight league games, at Mansfield, the Pilgrims will be looking to get back to winning ways against York City at the Theatre of Greens, on Saturday.

The Pilgrims had previously not tasted a league defeat since September. Captain Curtis Nelson said after the game: “We have to start another run – a run of clean sheets and a run of being undefeated. It starts again on Saturday. What more is there to say? We have to go again.”

Argyle have won their last seven home games, in all competitions, although last season Home Park was a happy hunting ground for the Minstermen. They beat Argyle 4-0 in February; a win sparked by the 11th-minute sending-off of former Pilgrim Neal Trotman. Argyle, though responded to that defeat by winning their next three games, including a 4-0 win at Fleetwood and a 5-0 win at home to Morecambe.

The Pilgrims have won just once against York in four league games; a 2-0 victory coming in December 2012 via a Jamal Fyfield own goal and a 90th-minute strike from Nick Chadwick.

York are currently 20th in Sky Bet League 2, and are managed by Russ Wilcox, who took charge in October after Nigel Worthington left the club by mutual consent.

City's 3-1 win over Hartlepool at the weekend was the Minstermen’s first in 14 games and just their second win all season.

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AN Argyle XI will travel to Cheltenham Town's Quat Goose Lane training ground on Tuesday to meet the Robins in the Final Third Development League Cup. Kick-off is at 2pm.

It is our first game in the group stage of the competition. We are in southern group B, along with Cheltenham, Newport County, Portsmouth and Bristol City. Two teams will qualify through the group.

There is no age restriction on the competition, although the primary focus is on players under the age of 21. Ben Purrington is expected to play a part, having been out of action since breaking his wrist at Accrington on September 27.

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The window for emergency and youth loans closes on Thursday. After this date Football League clubs are not permitted to bring in any player, aside from a goalkeeping crisis requiring replacements.

“I am looking at one or two players,” said John Sheridan. "If I feel as though I need to bring in one or two to strengthen us, hopefully I can do that.

“I just think a new face would strengthen us and give us a bit of a lift. It is a chance for someone to get football."