Doooom.

We lost, dooooooooooom.

To our former boss, dooooooooooooooom.

Against 10 men for over 45 minutes, doooooooooooooooooooooooom.

Archie, Chris, Mark and Tom discuss a home defeat, at least it’s been a while.

Argyle started well in a game of noticeably improved quality compared to anything pre-Christmas. Bolton played with control, Argyle chasing like men possessed. Some good half-chances, some good saves, some good football from both sides and then, just before half-time, Bolton down to 10 men. Here we go, here we go, here we go.

Or here we don’t.

A crazy penalty conceded, five more minutes of chaos, but Argyle slowly clawed their way back into things, with a deserved equaliser on the hour mark. But from that point on, with substitutions and some rusty returnees, the momentum shifted and the performance slowly deteriorated. Another long ball, another goal against the run of play and, despite some huffing and puffing and some half-chances, a Schumacher tactical masterclass and defeat felt almost like a fair result. Bugger.

Part 2 starts with thoughts about a huge game for the women’s team on Sunday. First, second or third place all remain possible, with intriguing other fixtures and some real jeopardy on the cards. Get yourself down to Home Park if you’re local on Sunday. Then a quick review of the dark arts of a cancelled game due to international commitments - will we benefit or regret a game missed during what, in hindsight, was a purple patch. And finally the inevitable poring over upcoming games, for us and others, with the data fiends at Opta suggesting it’s a three horse race for the final play-off place.

On to Barnsley on Monday. Via an early preview of a huge local derby.

Resurgam.

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This episode is dedicated to the memory of Rachel Borthwick following her passing.

There’s early chat on the unfortunate cup final defeat for our women’s team against Bournemouth. A valiant display, and a fantastic achievement to reach the final. Now it’s about brushing ourselves off and pushing on for promotion to the second tier.

We also debate the season ticket pricing, which has been a major talking point this week. While there’s sympathy for Simon Hallett, both he and the club are arguably paying the price for a number of poor decisions over recent seasons.

Our three internationals didn’t get on the pitch, including Bim Pepple for Canada, though there’s still another friendly to come midweek. Let’s hope Bim, Conor and BG all return safe and sound.

And then onto the play-offs. While results didn’t go our way, even Tom Kirk now thinks we can make them. Given this is the man who said we’d win our last six games after losing the Pizza Trophy final to Bolton, the play-offs must be as good as certain now.

Happy listening.

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It’s still, still - STILL! - on. A comprehensive never in doubt (sort of) 3 points against play off rivals. A two week break to bring back some of the walking wounded. Authentic, endearing celebrations. What a time to be an Argyle fan. 

Tom is joined by Chris and Dan to start with hot off the press news of a huge win for the Argyle women’s team. Only 1980s ‘watch on teletext’ vibes to go on but a huge win for an over performing team. Long may it continue. 

Back to Saturday’s action, there is a sense of confidence on and off the field despite multiple missing players, a makeshift midfield and even after an against the run of play goal. A goal down approaching half time and an injury to the opposition keeper provides a catalyst for a huge second half. 

There is praise for an Owen Dale tracer bullet, a dubious but we’ll take it penalty, and a goalkeeping error and the chance for many more. A fluid formation, competent performances across the field, goals, chances, heroic defending when needed all with the 95/96 team in attendance made for a wonderful afternoon in the sun.

With no game for two weeks, there is a focus on the ongoing rebirth of a squad - performance, culture and results - and huge sympathy for the returning Bali Mumba who seemed visibly upset by the reception he received on his return. Credit to the club and first team for seeing beyond the vitriol and providing comfort. Pantomime boos okay, but let’s try and remember the good times shall we?

Enjoy the break, see you again in April. 

COYG

Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome:

https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast

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It’s still – STILL – on. A scrappy, nervous night under the lights, but three more points and on we go. Archie is joined by Chris and Mark straight after the final whistle to bring the heart rates down, but keep the energy levels high.

A fairly nondescript first half, with the only real moment of note being a bizarre, almost deliberate-looking miss from a former Torquay player. Thank you, Jamie! But the second half started well and, for the first time, Argyle were clearly on top. If anyone can decipher what is and isn’t allowed from corners these days, do let us know. But a combination of Curtis’ repeated quality deliveries and dark arts makes up for a very similar Reading goal at the weekend. Solid, forgivable late errors from exhausted legs, some savvy changes and some relentless performances do enough – just enough – but we will take it.

Thoughts turn to another huge game with some old friends and a team in relative freefall. Please avoid TYPICAL. Huge credit all round, especially for a head coach performing well on and off the field. A perfectly timed statement between games , can we convert it into a perfectly timed run for the play-offs? Stranger things have happened.

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It’s still on, isn’t it? A great game for the neutral, a point gained but oh so close to being more. Archie hosts and is joined by regulars Chris and Mark, and BBC Radio Devon commentator Michael McCann, to bring some extra insight to a fascinating afternoon.

Not that you would have been thinking too positively after five minutes. A good attack turned into some horrific defending and a cross or a shot and a flap – 1–0 down. But it didn’t feel all doom and gloom, and the Cheltenham Two combined from a well-worked set play: a great finish and a fantastic hobby horse celebration. Reading then exploited what felt like early-season defending to take the lead and it really didn’t let up until half-time.

Into the second half and a combination of Argyle looking good and Reading sitting back brought a deserved goal for the relentless Caleb Watts. Should Curtis have made a different choice or should we be grateful for his relentless energy and creativity? Let’s go with the latter…

Part Two brings the uncomfortable subject of club redundancies. Sympathy for those affected is balanced by the evident reality of the ‘perilous’ state of the club finances. Thoughts finally turn to two huge games against play-off rivals. And who’d have thought we’d be saying that in December?

Up the Bastard Argyle.

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IT'S HAPPENING, IT'S OFFICIALLY HAPPENING - SOUND THE PLAY-OFF CLAXON!

Mark and Archie reconvene minutes after the full-time whistle at Wigan to discuss yet another Argyle victory – making it five from the last six. And now the two can actually begin to ask, or perhaps not even dare to dream, the very real possibility of a Wembley visit.

It’s a joyous and slightly rambling affair, and not even an interrupting workman can detract from what was not only a fantastic result, but a fantastic set of results elsewhere, leaving Argyle four points off fifth and three off sixth.

There’s yet more love for Bim Pepple, who bags again to become Argyle’s top scorer of the season in the process, incredibly. The pair also spend time marvelling at the wonder that is Herbie Kane, who was outstanding once more – though in truth there wasn’t a single Argyle player below a 7/10. There’s also talk of a goal-of-the-season contender, referring to the silky team move for Argyle’s second. Injuries are the only dampener, with Sorinola and Harding falling foul of the injury crisis.

The pair finally touch on the looming six-pointer (or must-not-lose) against Reading, and even a Ben Waine shout-out after his FA Cup heroics.

It’s a short, possibly not very succinct pod, as the two marvel at what is honestly becoming a ridiculous season – one which now carries the very real possibility of a Wembley trip at the end of it.

We may not make the top 6, but with 5th place now just 4 points away, and the wind of momentum very much in the sails of the good ship Mayflower, there's no denying that IT'S ON.

COYG

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If you thought the last game was weird, what did you make of this one? On paper a comfortable win; on viewing and reviewing, at least two of the points feel a little stolen. Tom is joined by Alex and Chris to discuss.

A midfield-less first half hour leads to sustained pressure and a high-quality Doncaster opener. But this is a different side to the Argyle that melted under pressure in 2025, and an equaliser from nothing almost provided a platform for a half-time lead. Credit to the flexibility of some senior players, the manager for the tactical changes, and of course to the irrepressible Bim Pepple for another goal and another stellar performance. Even a saved penalty doesn’t feel as TYPICAL as it once did, and the traditional 60-minute substitutions really worked and started to turn the screw. A lucky goal or a perfect delivery, but either way a fit (or less injured) Kane, a confident Dale and a reshuffle: eventually 2-1 felt like a fair result.

Part Two starts with more kudos for the women’s team, with some huge six-pointers and a cup final coming up. And a huge run of games for the men, with Wigan preceding some massive six-pointers that could make or break a late play-off push. And – a quiz! It’s been a while. Great to be in an environment that doesn’t feel like laughing at a funeral.

COYG

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We can’t have nice things. After a performance for the ages, a weird game in weird circumstances ends in a weird defeat. Archie is joined by Chris, Mark and special guest Sam Roberts to review the batshittery.

A line-up that was hard to place positionally (more on that later) and a deflected early goal set the tone for a frustrating afternoon. Reshuffled players in a reshuffled shape, predictably disjointed. Terrible sentence, but actually exactly how it felt. A change at half-time and a constant rotation in search of a lucky break, which almost came. A penalty that wasn’t, a decent chance, a late, late goal disallowed. For once, some sympathy with the ‘one of those days’ merchants. A point would have been more than fair.

Part 2 quickly revisits the midweek cup exit to Luton, which sowed the seed of the major theme, a catastrophic series of first-team injuries. Training, recovery, selection and signings all seem to be playing a role in limiting success on the field. Is the season all but over? Or is a bumper run of games against mid-table teams giving some room for optimism? And it’s episode 200. What a ride it has been.

Downwards.

Bah humbug.

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Great result in the week, can they follow it up at home? Oh yes they can! Archie, Chris, James and Seve have the pleasure of discussing a performance for the ages against a very strong Cardiff team.

The game. It started quickly and didn’t relent from there. A chance created from nothing early on set the tone, and even a Watts sitter going straight at the goalkeeper didn’t quell a constant flow of opportunities for both teams. A great move and a fantastic finish from Tolaj, Pepple with a second, set up a crazy run of goals where every attack from both teams resulted in a finish. 3–2 at half-time and it could have been more. Things slowed down a little in the second half but, as in the week, the further the game went on, the more Argyle dominated. Two set-pieces, a perfect penalty and, who would have thought we’d be saying this, Ross unplayable from a perfect corner. Perfect is the word. What a day for those home fans who have not had the best of seasons.

Part 2 and talk of two potential games at Wembley does start to feel possible. Momentum, positivity and team spirit really seem to matter, and even the most negative grinch is excited for a quarter-final at Luton in the AutoWindscreensPizzaTu Cup. And a huge shout-out to Argyle Women for a nervy (in a great way) win.

What a week. COYG

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Another away day, another win. Archie, Alex and Chris are here for some midweek JOY.

With all that said… this was not as glorious on the eye as some other away wins. A boxing analogy from Michael Savage sums things up nicely – scrappy, relentless and a clash of styles, but still much to like. The loss of another midfielder to another hamstring injury did not impact as many feared, and Argyle worked through the gears to grind out a convincing win. Pepple scoring again, Curtis looking increasingly like a signing for the ages, solid performances all round and mental fortitude in the face of an equaliser all feature in a satisfying, grinding three points.

Part 2 takes time to pause and reflect on quite how far this team has come. On and off the field, there remains much to fix, but lots to like. Can we dream of the play-offs? Maybe we can, but more likely next year – time to play the kids or just stick with a winning formula? Thoughts turn to a huge game – and a huge crowd – for the women’s team and a free hit for the men against the best team in the division.

All in all, a doom-free zone. Sort of.

COYG

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