Two Top Teams
AS well as being a momentous day in Argyle history with the opening of the new Mayflower Grandstand, the Pilgrims also face the challenge of a Swindon side sat top of the Sky Bet League Two table.
When it comes to current form, however, Ryan Lowe’s Argyle are the team to watch and the boss believes his side could be even higher than our current seventh, with recent games against Grimsby and Macclesfield postponed.
“I’d always like to be higher with more points, possibly we would have been with the games called off but we don’t know,” said Ryan.
“I’m more pleased with the work the lads put in on the training pitch and they take on board what we want. That’s a big improvement from where they were and taking on instructions is a big plus.
“The league was so inconsistent throughout 2019 and we’ll look to have a better 2020, go a little touch better than what we’ve done after 22 games. There are 24 games remaining and we’ve got to do it, keep the work up, keep doing the right things and keep picking up points.”
The Greens have already met Swindon twice this season, winning 3-0 in the Leasing.com Trophy and then a 1-1 draw in the league, but the boss played down the significance of those previous games.
Swindon manager Richie Wellens has done a fine job in guiding his team to the top of the table and the Robins’ strike duo Eoin Doyle and Jerry Yates top the division scoring charts.
It is clearly going to be a big test today for Argyle and two teams fizzing with confidence, despite a rare defeat for Swindon on Sunday, going down 2-0 at Port Vale.
“You take a little bit [from previous meetings] but players change, different characters come in and they might play a different style, we’re not too sure,” said Ryan.
“We respect Swindon for where they are and, at the moment, they’re the best team in the league. They’ve proved that by being top of the league and Richie’s got them firing on all cylinders.
“They lost on Sunday but we take that with a pinch of salt. They’re a good team and they won’t come here to roll over, they’re top of the league, high-flyers and it’s going to be a good test for us.
“Eoin is coming up against a resilient defence, as he will be aware. He’s a great player and proving that by scoring goals but it’s not just Eoin Doyle we’ve got to worry about, they’ve got some terrific players.
“Jerry Yates plays off him [Doyle], Keshi Anderson, [Anthony] Grant in midfield, plenty of good players. They’re all playing for their manager, playing a good brand of football and we will be cautious of their players.
“I’m good mates with Richie and he’s on the same journey as me with where he wants to get to. He did a good job at Oldham, did a good job at Swindon last year and now he’s firing on all cylinders.
“He’s built a team around creating chances and counter-attacking. Richie’s got them playing the right way and we all know it’s going to be a big test. They know it will be the same for us.”
New Year’s Day 2020 will long be remembered as one of the great days in Plymouth Argyle history, as the magnificent new Mayflower Grandstand will be fully open for the first time when Swindon Town visit in Sky Bet League Two. We will also be helping to launch Mayflower 400 – from Plymouth to the world.
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