Argyle Under-18s have had an unlucky start to 2026 - but it's due to the weather, not results.
The Greens have played just one game since their FA Youth Cup defeat to Watford in mid-December, with games against Swindon Town and Portsmouth being called off due to adverse conditions.
This weekend, a trip to Gloucestershire to face Cheltenham Town awaits, and a 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers a fortnight ago has left Jamie Lowry’s side hopeful that another positive result can come their way, should the game be played.
“We’re all hoping that it's going to be on for a start, with all the weather we've had!” Lowry told Argyle TV. “All we can do is prepare like normal and then wait for Friday or Saturday morning and see what the weather and the phone call we get from Cheltenham says, really.
“It is tough having these games called off because you want to keep playing. The boys want to keep knocking games and results out. They want to start getting a bit of consistency and a run together.
“In terms of the physical side, we've not been too bad. We've managed to arrange training games in between and fill the gaps with them, so we've been getting the physical returns we want. Match sharpness and training games are only good for so much, but the actual energy and intensity that you play with in a game are very important.
“We’re expecting to face a Cheltenham team who are organised, want to play forward, are physical, and a handful.
“They've done really well in the PDL Cup, qualified just ahead of us in that, so they're a good side. They've got strong players and are a handful going forward.
“Their front two are a real danger that we need to handle, so we’re expecting a really difficult game against them, and I’m expecting us to match their energy and physicality but also come out on top in possession. Expect us to be tied in the ball and hopefully have more possession than them and be able to create more opportunities.
“For our preparation, we give the lads little details about Cheltenham just to say this is what they're about, their strengths and weaknesses, and then it's all about us in terms of the individuals, how we're expecting them to perform collectively, the way we want to play, the patterns we want to play, and how we can utilise that really.
“80% of it is about us, and then 20% is about having an understanding about them, and what to expect from them.”
