Argyle v Wycombe - Reasons to be Cheerful

WITH Argyle's biggest set of games for a very long time approaching, Haden Tye takes a look at the positive signs ahead of the Wycombe double header...

The Greenhous Effect 
Argyle come into this playoff tie off the back of a superb victory at Shrewsbury. Only Northampton and Argyle have won at Greenhous Meadow in the league this season, and Saturday was arguably the best performance of the Pilgrims' campaign. It would appear that Argyle have hit form just at the right time.

May Days
At home on May 9, Argyle have a perfect record. We have never lost, drawn, or conceded on that date. Admittedly, Argyle have only played at home once on May 9 - that game was a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bradford City, courtesy of goals from Lindsay Smith, Gordon Staniforth and Kevin Hodges.

Argyle have only ever played Wycombe Wanderers in May once before - and Argyle won that game 1-0. That game was back in 2002, Nathan Lowndes scored the winner at Home Park in front of just over 10,000 people. Same again anyone?

Bucks Night
The Pilgrims have recorded consecutive wins at Wycombe's Adams Park. We won 1-0 last season thanks to a Conor Hourihane goal, and 2-0 this February with Lewis Alessandra and Peter Hartley scoring for Argyle. With this set to be a tight encounter, Argyle's performance at Adams Park will have a big say in the outcome of the tie.

Adams in the Eve
Adams Park has been a pretty dingy place for Wycombe fans when it comes to mid-week evening kick-offs. Wanderers have only won once in their previous 12 evening kick-offs at home. They have drawn three of these games and lost eight - two of them to Argyle. 

Last Time Out
A statistic that suggests that Argyle could be playing League 1 football next season is that since their last play-off win, Wycombe, Stevenage and Southend have all lost in the play-offs, whilst Argyle were promoted the last time they got there. Wycombe lost at this stage of the League 2 playoffs in 2006 and 2008; their last promotion via the playoffs was in 1994. That gives Wycombe a slightly worse playoff record than Argyle, having competed in them three times and only getting promoted once. Argyle have been in the play-offs twice and been promoted once, in 1996. 

Lets hope that 19 years on the Pilgrims can emulate their previous play-off success, starting at 7:45 on Saturday at Home Park.