Pilgrims Podcast

Only days to go before the season kicks off with a barnstorming local derby under the lights as Archie is joined by Alex, Chris and Mark for a review of recent friendliest and the big game ahead.

The return of Tolaj and Randel brought the best out of a stable squad with focus on what look to be positive new additions. White impressing with a controlled performance, Hartridge impressing, two goalkeepers of varying stature and some solid all round structure. Shame about the injury. The visit to Tavistock brining a different kind of joy with fan and player engagement, some great youth performances and (touch wood) no hamstrings seem to have been damaged.

Next - a new feature for the season with a question from the quite brilliantly named pastyboy. Before anyone complains, we are laughing at the perfection of the handle and our own lack of preparation in case there is any doubt. Anthony - you will always be the first, thank you for your question. If you'd like to ask a question for upcoming episodes please email or contact us via the usual social channels, all of which can be found here.

After a debate about the use (or lack of) youth players, and potential incomings, focus turns to the season ahead and the big game under the lights live on Sky on Monday. With a solid squad, a manager with a plan, and enough summer to refresh the senses, we can't wait to get going. What could possibly go wrong....?

COYG

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Archie and Tom sit down with Plymouth Argyle Head Coach Tom Cleverley for an exclusive interview ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, beginning by looking back on a remarkable first season in charge at Home Park.

From a difficult start to a remarkable turnaround that left the Greens seconds away from the play-offs, the gaffer reflects on the highs, the lows and the moments that shaped his first year in charge. When did he realise something had to change? Why did the switch to 4-4-2 prove so successful? Was there ever a point where he wondered if he could turn things around? And what has the experience taught him as both a coach and a person?

With last season put to bed, attention quickly turns to what comes next, and whether promotion is now the expectation, the identity he wants his Argyle side to have, and whether supporters should expect more tactical evolution this season. There is also discussion around recruitment, the type of striker needed to replace Lorent Tolaj, the importance of retaining the spine of the squad, and why Michael Baidoo suddenly looks to have a potentially significant role to play after an encouraging pre-season.

It's an honest, reflective and insightful conversation with a head coach who has experienced just about every emotion in his first 12 months in the Home Park dugout.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Cup is over, the League One season is a few weeks away. But we have missed recording to welcome to a random summer special. Tom hosts and is joined by Chris, Mark and One Team in Devon’s James Stables for a ramble.

There remains a frustration for what could have been after a typically English exit from a very USA, USA, USA World Cup. Some are still feeling the pain, others have already moved on but thoughts turn quickly to the real football ahead.

Stables starts with stability and a summer of relative calm so far, which could bode well for the season ahead. The Tolaj exit is seen as inevitable and hopefully a step in the direction of reduced peril and has freed up budget for the welcome return of Alex Mitchell. It has been publicly stated that a striker search is underway but will the assets remain in the famous 4-4-2? And if so will this be a challenge for Michael Baidoo or do we have an underrated star waiting in the wings?

Finally, everyone plays Head Coach with how they may start the season but let’s face of it none of us know what will happen or how it will play out, and that’s the joy of it all.

Only 3 weeks to go, COYG.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s been almost a month, and Archie, Chris, Mark and Tom are together after a game for the generations, and to try and talk about Argyle.

Where else to start but a magical night (or early morning) for England in the Azteca? In one of those games that grabbed hold of you and refused to let go, the conversation moves through the MORON who claimed not to be excited and who couldn’t sleep when it was finished, the world-class talent, the tactical astuteness of the coach, the agony and the ecstasy of added time. Where does the game rank in all-time England performances? What could come next? How has the World Cup landed in the USA? Has there been a better example of thriving under pressure? What will the score be against the rowing Norwegians? So much has been said and written about the game that we have added nothing new, but it was a joyous experience to record. And we managed to avoid politics, almost…

Part two looks forward to a new season that will be here before we know it. An exciting League Cup draw, a solid group of signings, and could Michael Baidoo represent the ultimate redemption arc? It’s hard to focus with a World Cup in full flow, but everyone - even if they don’t really know it yet - is excited for 'real' football to return.

On to Norway! On to Tavistock! We’ll be back again soon as one competition draws to a close and another gets ready to begin. It’s the circle of football life, Clive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Pilgrims Podcast, host Mark Lovell is once again joined by Plymouth Argyle Director of Football Derek Adams for a wide-ranging and lively World Cup special.

Derek and Mark look ahead to Scotland’s huge test against Brazil in Miami and it promises to be a proper examination in stifling heat. Conditions, tactics, and mentality all come under the duo’s spotlight. Can Scotland stay in the game long enough to cause a shock, or will Brazil’s quality (Neymar?) tell in the end? Derek breaks it all down in detail. Defensive structure, game management, and what it might take to survive against elite opposition on the biggest stage. Liverpool away at Anfield anybody?

There’s also plenty of focus on England’s impressive start under Thomas Tuchel, with praise for their tactical flexibility, squad depth, and the way the Three Lions dismantled Croatia in their opener.

Beyond the matches, the discussion goes deeper into modern coaching. How in-game decisions are made, how systems evolve mid-match, and what separates good tournament teams from great ones. Derek also reflects on his transition into his role at Plymouth Argyle, offering insight into life behind the scenes as DOF.

Packed with analysis, big opinions, and a touch of nostalgia for World Cup moments gone by (without hydration breaks).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join host Mark Lovell as he sits down with Plymouth Argyle Director of Football Derek Adams for a wide-ranging look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

From Scotland’s long-awaited return to the biggest stage for the first time since 1998, to England’s hopes under Thomas Tuchel, the pair reflect on some of football’s most memorable World Cup moments. From Archie Gemmill’s wonder goal and the Tartan Army in Argentina, to Maradona, penalties, heartbreak and near misses, Adams shares personal stories from Scottish football, including fascinating insights involving Sir Alex Ferguson, Jock Stein, and Scotland’s World Cup squads of the past.

The conversation also turns to the modern game, with discussion on tournament expansion, climate concerns in North America, VAR, goalkeeping, Harry Kane, Scott McTominay, and whether Scotland can finally break their World Cup curse.A nostalgic, entertaining and thought-provoking World Cup special from two lifelong football men.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

No games but lots to talk about as Archie is joined by Alex and Chris for a ‘no Argyle summer limbo’ special. 

Where else to start but the complicated and challenging topic of the Argyle Women’s Team and the decision not to renew contracts for the season ahead. A season of success, commercial challenges locally and internationally in the sport and the leaked email are discussed at length and, we hope, with sensitivity to all sides. 

Other news includes the re-signing of stalwart Joe Edwards for the season ahead, the exit of Conor Hazard and one new arrival. Then a frankly baffling for all sides existential debate on whether it is possible to like a kit on its release. Well done if you make it this far. 

Finally, attention turns to the imminent World Cup. Thoughts on the tournament to come, favourite England and World Cup memories memories and some happy related ramblings have at lease one of the panel - who claimed ambivalence - to suddenly be excited for the weeks ahead. Typical.

Keep an eye on your feeds for some upcoming World Cup specials with even more special guests but in the meantime, enjoy the summer. Not long until fixture release day…

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summer? What summer? We’re still here, as the game at the top level continues to eat itself with VAR, spies and money. Archie is joined by Chris, Michael and One Team in Devon’s James Stables to dissect his latest newsletter, titled Five Things Argyle Need to Do for a Successful Summer.

We start by defining and exploring the concept of a rebuild. There seems to be less chaos despite nine formal exits, four loanees not being retained, and several contract offers on the table. Stick or twist? Where does fate play a role? What does a “spine” really mean? And where do the retained young players fit into the puzzle?

Next, it’s on to player trading. There are moving parts as ever, but there is also a sense of strategy and stability, valuable assets, and evidence that players can develop and improve their value. It could be a lot worse, and there is a path towards a positive reset of money in and players arriving to fit a plan. And what could that plan be? Would it be madness to move away from a successful setup and strategy to experiment with another stylistic shift?

Finally, off the field: is this when investment arrives? Noise means nothing, but there is more of it than ever and, after a poor 18 months, there is now some stability, improved recruitment, a great catchment area and fantastic facilities on the way. And how should the club approach communication when there is often very little to actually communicate?

Did I say finally? A summer quiz! Some normal questions and some kind of weird bidding game to finish the epic.

Next stop: to be confirmed, as news breaks and World Cups begin. Enjoy your summer…

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Hinde hosts Archie and Tom for a deep-dive review of Argyle’s utterly chaotic 2025/26 season.

From the summer overhaul and the appointment of Tom Cleverley, to a squad seemingly built for multiple systems at once, the trio work through the key moments that shaped one of the most bizarre seasons in recent Argyle history.

They discuss the early-season collapse, the departures of key off-field figures, the atmosphere around Home Park during the darkest moments of the campaign, and the truly unexpected return of Derek Adams. There’s also a look at the tactical reset which transformed Argyle’s fortunes, Bim Pepple’s remarkable rise, and the late-season surge which somehow left the Greens minutes away from the play-offs on the final day.

Most of all, the episode asks the big question: how exactly did Tom Cleverley survive, and how did Argyle go from looking broken in November to one of the form teams in the division by spring?

Even by Argyle standards, this was a truly bonkers season.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s all over. The large opera singer has sung. Summer is here. It feels worse than a pulsating win, but win we did. So for the last time this season, Archie is joined by Chris, Mark and Tom to review a chaotic League One afternoon in an equally chaotic one parter.

Anyone in the typical Argyle camp would have been their central element after a counter attack and an absolute worldie (hate that word) saw Argyle 2-0 down. The nerves in the stands, at home, watching on phones translated to the pitch with some world class balls over the stands and clunky moves had everyone worried. But it started to turn, slowly, and yet again a set play played its part in starting a turnaround and by half time its 2-2 and all to play for. With other results: it’s as you were…

To a seasoned fan, the second half felt less about the game on the field and more about results elsewhere. A Northampton sending off - FFS we hate playing 10 men - and a great goal to take the lead but all attention turns to Bolton and to Stevenage as time slowly started to slow down. 90th minute, it’s happening. 97th, Stevenage have scored a ghost goal, Luton are winning and we are all back to earth with a bump. Ugh.

In amongst that there is a debate about the future of Tom Cleverley, the mini renaissance of Xavier Amaechi, the part played by a resilient home crowd, the Teletext refresh of other results. But it just wasn’t to be. Next stop an actual play off for the women’s team. 

A huge thank you to everyone who has listened in a rollercoaster season. It really means the world, to all of us who host, join and edit the Pilgrims Podcast . Join us for some summer specials, August will come around before you know it, small matter of a World Cup to keep us warmed up. Derek wheeling and dealing. Lots to be excited about. 

Come On You Greens.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.