Yes I know, completely random title, but hey it’s been a good day. Although I wasn’t too confident about Plymouth Argyle’s chances today at Home Park as we haven’t beaten Derby County for 20 years and our record playing on live TV has been equally as bad. But all those years of hurt have been washed away today beating Derby 3 – 1 in a game full of passion from both teams. I thought that it would be tight after the first 30 minutes of play, neither team giving an inch, but the game suddenly sprung to life when Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was manhandled to the ground by Mohammed Camara in the 18 yard area, and Plymouth skipper Paul Wotton made no mistake in converting the ensuing penalty kick. To their credit Derby came straight back at Plymouth and equalised deep into added time courtesy of sublime flick by Arturo Lupoli leaving Luke McCormick no chance. McCormick’s opposite number Lee Grant made two excellent saves early in the second half, first denying David Norris then Sylvan Ebanks-Blake rebounded shot. Shortly after that Plymouth suffered a severe blow when Mathias Doumbe was sent off for a second bookable offence, although Plymouth have grounds to feel aggrieved as the replays clearly showed that Doumbe got the ball first. But in a way it made Plymouth stronger and Derby didn’t seem to have any answers to break down the resolute Argyle defence with Paul Wotton dropping back into defence. Plymouth’s second goal came from yet another Paul Wotton penalty when veteran striker Barry Hayles was held, although he made a theatrical dive to make sure the decision went his way. Marcel Seip was completely unmarked and put the game beyond Derby when he scored from an easy free header. So it’s a great result for Argyle and the fans were amazing today, really getting behind the team, lifting the players, and of course Argyle have moved into the top six teams in the league, currently sitting in 5th place with 19 points, only one point off second placed Burnley. So if we can get a result away at Barnsley on Tuesday, Plymouth could go second, should other results go our way; I certainly didn’t expect to be in this sort of position with 1/4 of the season gone; not bad for a team from deepest, darkest Devon, could we be playing Premiership football next season?
Update [17/10/06 – 23:54]: Another solid result for the Pilgrims away from home, although I was hopeful of another win at the expense of struggling Barnsley, but 2 – 2 will do us nicely. It means that Argyle have taken a drop of one place to 6th in the league, but still remain in a playoff position and still only four points off an automatic promotion spot. It really seems that Ollie’s signings preseason have been a revelation with both new strike force signings, Barry Hayles and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake getting on the score sheet. I think that the 2 – 2 result is a fair reflection of the game as both teams played well, neither team deserved to lose, so a point a piece is fair, although I would have liked to be announcing a win and a move up to 4th place in the league, but getting anything from an away fixture can only be counted as a good thing. I am trying not to get caught up in the whole promotion fever that is sweeping Plymouth, but it’s a hard thing to do as there is a real belief that Argyle can pull off something spectacular this season. But I feel that it will be counter productive for Argyle to get promoted to the premiership this season, another season in the championship would be more beneficial, get the Mayflower stand modernised to match the rest of the stadium, and bond the team together better, something that Holloway is doing a great job of, he’s the best thing to happen to the club since Paul Sturrock got Argyle into the championship before leaving, just a shame about the following two managers!