Stevenage v Argyle - Reasons to be Cheerful

With Saturday's fixture being the sixth round of League 2 matches, the league table is still in its early stages and looks more like a form guide. That said, the form guide looks very good. Argyle are second in the league, winning four out of their five league games so far. Saturday's opponents are 17th, with Stevenage taking just one win out of five. That result was a 2-0 victory against Hartlepool in their fourth league game.

After five matches, Argyle have recorded their fifth best ever start to a season so far. If Argyle win on Saturday they will record their fourth best start to a season, equal on points with their second and third best campaigns at this stage; 1925-1926 and 1951-52. The former season Argyle came second and the latter Argyle topped the table. In addition, Argyle have only ever won their opening three away games once - in 1929-30

On September 5, 1936, Argyle won 7-0 against Doncaster Rovers. Unsurprisingly, that remains the highest score line Argyle have ever beaten Doncaster by. Three of the goals that day were scored by Jackie Smith, Jack Vidler grabbed two and Sammy Black and Jimmy Hunter made up the scorers.

If Derek Adams is in search of a motivating team talk for the Pilgrims, he need look no further. Argyle have never beat Stevenage. Saturday's match will be the third time Argyle and Stevenage have met, with last season's fixtures ending 1-1 at Home Park and the Boro winning 1-0 at The Lamex Stadium. Deane Smalley is the only player to have scored for Argyle against Stevenage.