Plymouth Preview

Plymouth Argyle – Match Preview

Alexandra Stadium, Saturday 21st January 2006 – 3pm Kick off.

Overview

Crewe entertain Plymouth at the Alexandra stadium this Saturday, Crewe will be looking to secure their first victory of the new year in what is a must win game for the home side. Plymouth are the first visitors to Crewe in 2006 and if we are to stand any chance of staying up this is a game where we must take maximum points.

Plymouth currently are in 20th place and are some 7 points better off, the arrival of Tony Pullis in September has stabilised their position and the Pilgrims will be coming to Crewe looking for an away win. Plymouth have struggled on their travels this season and will be looking to put that right on Saturday.

Team News

Crewe

Crewe will hand Gareth Taylor his debut as he partners Steve Jones in attack. Jon Otsemobor will also play he starts at right back with Darren Moss shifting to left back to cover for the injured Anthony Tonkin.

Tony Grant (ankle) and Juan Ugarte (Knee) will definitely miss out but Kenny Lunt and Gary Roberts are available for selection after returning from illness.

Plymouth

Plymouth have a couple of injury concerns going into Saturday’s game. Hungarian playmaker Akos Buzsaky will definitely be out for the Pilgrims and Paul Connolly is a doubt after a suffering a ‘small tear’ in his thigh against Norwich. The sale of Scott Taylor leaves them with only two main strikers in Micky Evans and Nicky Chadwick.

Last time Out

Crewe secured a 1-1 draw at Home Park in September; Crewe took an early lead through Eddie Johnson’s first goal of the season. However, like many games this season, Crewe failed to hold on to the lead and Plymouth equalised just 4 minutes later. Plymouth proceeded to take the game to Crewe but in the end neither side did enough to secure all three points.


Head to Head

In recent years the head to head has been pretty close between the two sides. In the last 7 meetings there have been 3 wins each and a draw.

2005/2006

Plymouth 1-1 Crewe - Championship

2004/2005

Plymouth 3-0 Crewe - Championship
Crewe 3-0 Plymouth - Championship

2002/2003

Plymouth 1-3 Crewe – League 1
Crewe 0-1 Plymouth – League 1

1996/1997

Plymouth 1-0 Crewe – League 1
Crewe 3-0 Plymouth – League 1

Opposition player to watch – Paul Wotton

Paul is the captain for Plymouth and is an experienced player at Championship level; he is equally capable in either defence or midfield and is the club’s penalty taker. His determination and fight has helped Argyle pull them away from the “dog fight” at the bottom.

Paul has been deployed in a midfield role this season and is the club’s leading goal-scorer with five goals.


Referee – Darren Drysdale

The match official for the game is Darren Drysdale from Lincolnshire; he has been a football league referee since 2004, he was also assistant referee at the 2000 FA Cup Final. Darren has taken charge of 21 games this season and has shown 74 yellow cards and 6 red cards.

Darren last took charge of a Crewe game when we were soundly beaten at Sheffield United by four goals.

Match Betting

Crewe 5/4
Draw 11/5
Plymouth 15/8