Ahead of the Game - More to Come

A DISALLOWED goal, a depleted squad and a 22nd minute winner from Luton’s Andy Drury condemned Argyle to their second successive home defeat...

...but with the Pilgrims boasting one of the most impressive home records this season they will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Morecambe at Home Park, on Saturday.

The defeat to John Still’s Luton saw the Greens drop out of the play-off spots and extend their number of games without a win to five so, when we lock horns with Jim Bentley’s Shrimps, the three points will be vital in getting our promotion campaign back on track.

In this season's away fixture at Morecambe, Argyle suffered a 2-1 defeat, with the experienced Kevin Ellison giving the Lancashire club the lead when he reacted quickest to Jamie Devitt’s free-kick, before parity was restored when Lewi Alessandra’s set-piece delivery was met by a thumping header from Peter Hartley. The Pilgrims were denied a share of the spoils, however, when Devitt popped up late on to score from six yards.

However, John Sheridan can take confidence from the fact that Bentley’s side have only won once in their last seven away games, with their most recent setback coming in their 1-1 draw against Cheltenham Town – with Padraig Amond scoring an 86th minute penalty to rescue a point.

Despite bringing in new faces in the January window, with midfielder Olly Lee being the latest addition, John has lost some key loan players such as Anthony O’Connor, Bobby Reid and Andy Kellett which, coupled with the unavailability of several first-team players due to injury has meant that John has a limited amount of players at his disposal – having just four substitutes on his bench in the Luton game.

On a positive note, John can take pleasure from the last time Morecambe visited Home Park with the Pilgrims putting five past the well and truly cooked Shrimps, with Lewi grabbing a brace that was aided by goals from Durrell Berry, Andres Gurrieri and Curtis Nelson.

A win for Argyle could see them regain their spot within the top seven, as for Morecambe; a win would see them strengthen their bid on a place within the play-off spots.

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A scheduled Final Third Development League fixture, due to take place on Monday at Bristol City, has been postponed. Our next development game will take place at Home Park on Tuesday, January 27, at 2pm.