Edwards on five-star performance at Brentford
The start of 2025 has seen us have a preview, a prequel if you like, of the ‘Joe Edwards: Coach’ feature that will one day come to fruition.
That particular enterprise is about go back in the planning stage, before production truly takes place a few years down the line, but rehearsals have gone exceptionally well for Edwards.
His audition came in the form of three matches in caretaker charge, alongside Kevin Nancekivell, a man who has trodden those boards many times, and the leading duo’s three-act structure saw two draws in Acts I and II followed by a denouement to the performance worthy of any great storyteller.
All the drama had been built up, with the key components of a theatrical finale all there. The protagonists in an ensemble piece were Plymouth Argyle, lowly Sky Bet Championship everymen, without an away win all season, heading to Brentford, a Premier League side particularly adept on their stage.
These are two households alike in their dignity and potential, but worlds apart on current billing. But the FA Cup scripts tend to couple fantasy with history. 41 years after the last time Argyle beat a top-flight team in the FA Cup, they saw off a side they have faced six times in the competition, and progressed past every time.
Cue Morgan Whittaker, stage right, taking the spotlight in the centre and delivering the killer line. Argyle, the toast of London’s West End.
For Joe, one man playing many parts, the pitch is still his stage, and he is very much a player, but on a day where he concluded co-directing duties, the standing ovation he and Nancekivell earned was warranted.
“It has been an amazing day, and something that I think we can look back on and be really proud of,” said Joe.
“We said: ‘why can't we come here and get a result and upset someone?’ Full credit to the boys because they were magnificent to a man. They were unbelievable. The work rate they put in. To come here, perform like that and get a win is amazing. I'm so proud of them.
“I didn't feel too uncomfortable in the game. We knew they were going to put us under pressure, but the way we defended, and we were set up, was really good. We knew that when we did get it from a regain, and were able to keep the ball and break, then we're going to create some chances, which we did.
“My message to the boys earlier was ‘I'm jealous’. I'd still much rather be them, playing in an occasion like this. Even more so now, when you see the scenes afterwards and getting a result like that. Being a player is still something that I'm focused on doing.
“I've loved seeing this side of it. People often say you get thrown into it and it puts you off or makes you even more driven and hungry for it.
“I've loved these last 10 days, two weeks. The boys have been amazing with me. I can't fault them. It must be hard for them to sometimes see me being a part of this side of it. I’m doing my rehab in between all I've been doing, so I'm concentrating on that. I want to get myself back fit and like I said to the boys, I want to be a part of these days on the pitch still. I think I can still do that.”
Depending on recovery and selection, he could do that in round four. On the Twelfth Night of the year, the draw will take place, and Joe fancies a trip to a particular famous theatre, although our own green auditorium would suit him, too.
“I'd probably go Manchester United away, just because I've never played there,” said Joe. “Anyone at home, I think it'd be great. Really special. We probably deserve that. I think it'd be amazing to get a Premier League side at Home Park. I think the belief we would have in that game would be amazing because we are good at home.
“I think something like that could be really special.”
Expect wherever Argyle’s next destination is to be a hot ticket. In fact, even when reviews of performances have been less than five star, still the fans have flocked to wherever the Argyle Repertory Group have pitched up, around the country.
At the Gtech Community Theatre, lines had been learned, cues taken. Joe, taking his bow, thanked the 2,500-strong Green Army in the seats, as well as everyone else in the massed ranks, wherever they may be.
“I think they deserve that,” said Joe. “We have got the worst away record and they do keep travelling.
“They've been everywhere with us, not just this season, but for however long I've been here. That one's definitely for them because these are the days that will keep them going.
“They've deserved a moment like that because they've stuck with us. It means everything to them and it means everything to us to see them happy.”
