Match Preview: Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town
Plymouth Argyle v Fleetwood Town
Sky Bet Football League Two, Saturday 10 August, kick-off 3pm
Pilgrims fans will be desperate for the team to register its first win of the season and rekindle the pre-season optimism after a disappointing start to the season.
Saturday's rather ragged performance at Southend was followed by Tuesday night's spirited team display in the Capital Cup defeat to Championship Birmingham City, a game that provided positive evidence of the side's capabilities. Argyle twice levelled the scores after going behind, to take their opponents into extra time when Kyle Bartley's goal was enough to edge a victory.
Despite the heroics, notably from double goalscorer Lewis Alessandra, the pressure was off to a significant extent for the trip to the West Midlands, with any upset anticipated more in hope than expectation. Saturday's first home game of the season should provide a truer test of John Sheridan's reshuffled side.
Sheridan's first selection decision is likely to be a goalkeeping one. In a deliberate plan to weigh up the comparative merits of his two options, Luke McCormick was picked for the Southend game, while Jake Cole played on Tuesday. Both acquitted themselves well, with Cole's penalty save from Birmingham's Lee Novak still fresh in the mind.
Fleetwood Town finished in a mid-table 13th position last season but won this term's opening fixture, beating Dagenham and Redbridge 3-1 last weekend. However, the Lancashire club, who are managed by Graham Alexander, lost at Notts County in their Capital One Cup tie in midweek.
An intriguing contest awaits. The Home Park crowd are sure to be in good voice as they aim to put last Saturday behind them and, instead, draw on Tuesday's performance to get their 2013-14 campaign up and running.
