Opposition View: Plymouth’s Perspective as Luton Aim for Three Wins in a Row

This Saturday sees Luton Town welcome Plymouth Argyle to Kenilworth Road in what promises to be a hard-fought clash between two sides eyeing the top half of the table. With both sides hungry for points, though for different reasons currently I expect a tight game where one moment of quality could be decisive. The Hatter’s should be looking to make it 3 wins on the bounce with Argyle failing to pick up a single win on the road this season - 4 games, 4 losses, 10 goals conceded, and only the 3 scored.

To get The Pilgrims’ perspective, we spoke with Argyle Life / Green & White podcast.

Q1: What do you see as Plymouth’s biggest strengths this season, and where do you think their main weaknesses lie?

In truth it’s tough to say as Argyle’s start to the season, whilst not good by any means, hasn’t had one consistent area of failing nor one of strength.

Before the season started, we chased ‘a number nine’ with all the zeal of a mythical Ancient Greek creature in the hope that such a striker would resolve all our issues. Unspoken was the belief that the defence was, well, more or less alright. The first three league games, which saw us concede eight goals, quickly put paid to that assumption.

We bought in Alex Mitchell on loan from Charlton and a leaner spell followed in defence before being abruptly brought back to earth with a 4-0 thumping at Cardiff. We do at least seem to have found our scoring boots.

Q2: Are there any standout players Luton fans should be especially wary of?

The answer is obvious: Laurent Tolaj. The big Swiss striker has revitalised our attacking threat since joining for £1.2million from Port Vale. It took him four games to open his scoring account but now he’s sprung to life with three in two games. Even when he wasn’t scoring, he was still a threat. His menacing movement is always capable of finding gaps in the defence and taking men with him for other players to exploit.

Bali Mumba is another player who shone brightly in our title winning season. He made a slow start to the campaign and is away from his favoured wing back position but looked much more like his best self in the 4-2 win against Stockport. If he finds form, he’s a real threat.

Q3: How would you describe Plymouth’s style of play under Cleverley?

For the month of August, Cleverley seemed pretty much wedded to four at the back. He’s made no secret that it’s his favoured formation all being well, but, as eager eyed observers of last season’s championship campaign will have noticed, his Watford side were far better off with a back three. Perhaps he’s the archetype of the frustrated wannabe striker who’s only good in goal, but in managerial form?

He loves a four-back but can only seem to coach a three-back. He reverted to it for the Stockport win and so far, so good. There are commonalities - whatever the formation Argyle will look to keep it on the ground and take the game to the opponent. There will be a decent amount of fluidity and interchange in positional play, whatever the starting shape.

Q4: What's the mood like among Plymouth supporters right now?

Honestly…the mood for the first few games of the season was as close as it gets to outright panic. We’d, as a newly relegated side, lost four games in a row which is virtually unheard of, and we looked to be deficient in all parts of the field.

The slew of signings and the upturn in form (Cardiff debacle aside) have slightly dispelled the doomerism in favour of quiet confidence.

For my reckoning, I’m still counting my way to 52 points and think, despite improvements, we will spend most of the season looking down the table rather than up it.

Q5: What are your predictions for the game?

Improvements notwithstanding, we are a truly awful side on the road. I can’t see beyond a comfortable with for Luton.

Score prediction: Luton 3-1 Plymouth