Pilgrims Podcast

Running out of things to say, really. Slightly improved, yes. But the result is sadly, awfully, terribly predictable. Archie, Chris and Mark do their best to think of some original light to shine into the December gloom.

Part One, the game. A bright start followed by a slow decline but some positives and some experienced heads did give some temporary hope that midweek cup success may have provided a platform. Instead, a soft penalty (we would absolutely have wanted it given for us) and very little else condemns us to a fourth consecutive home defeat. Should the youth players get more of a chance? Should we at least try to win?

Part Two tries to zoom out a little. Relegation seems ever more possible but a few quick wins and the division is tight enough that it could all be okay. Or doomed by February. And a well constructed, well received Chairman’s Chat at risk of being undermined by actions and words on and off the field.

What could be better than a trip to Wycombe next?

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Archie hosts this special, mammoth-length edition of the Pilgrims Podcast, joined by Tom, Mark and James as the gang piece together a dreadful afternoon at PL2. A truly miserable home capitulation to Northampton, capped by Tolaj’s sending off and a second-half showing that drained what little apathetic, resigned energy remained inside Home Park.

There’s plenty to chew over: the Fans Forum and what it did manage to clarify, the baffling continued backing of a head coach in Tom Cleverley who appears increasingly out of his depth, and the ever-more troubling details behind the club’s “perilous” financial situation.

And yet, even through the gloom, there’s the faintest glimmer, the signs of life shown in that last-gasp win over Leyton’s O-Team, with BBC Radio Devon’s Michael McCann providing us his match report and thoughts. A rare bright spot that might just offer something worth clinging to.

All that and plenty more as the pod crew recover from their long, painful trek to PL2, therapy microphones firmly switched on.

COYG

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We won! We won away! So why doesn’t it feel like it? Tom, Mark and Chris are joined by Radio Devon’s Drew Savage to review a win - an away win! - that had as many questions as answers.

Part one balances the relief of a win with ongoing concerns - especially about the first 45 minutes - that there is still much to fix. But there was a great goal, some defensive grit, a resolute and experienced rearguard action that gives some hope. Would we have been so kind if Port Vale had been more ruthless with their chances? Luckily we will never know.

Part two focuses on genuine broader positives. A quick review of Derek’s first week before a celebration of the success of the Argyle women’s team, ongoing resurgence and the bigger picture with Foulston Park. Finally, looking forward to a home game against Northampton and the pod team and friends gathering for some Plymouth and some Argyle.

Can we build on this? Let’s see….

https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast

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Archie is joined by Tom, Dan and James from One Team In Devon to unpack initial thoughts on the return of Derek Adams.

Nostalgia aplenty, the panel discuss whether Argyle’s pivot is a shift back in model, while weighing up the benefits and risks in the short term and the long term of placing faith once again in Adams, who had great success but also a fall from grace when last employed in PL2.

The guys also discuss how the arrival of Adams reshapes relationships and responsibilities within the club, notably with Tom Cleverley and David Fox, who have not (yet) been asked to walk the plank.

Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome:

https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast

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We lost again.

Archie and Tom try to make sense of another miserable game for Argyle, as familiar failings return and the pressure on Tom Cleverley grows. Fans Liam and Paul leave voice messages with their thoughts on the game, setting the tone before the pair of Arch and Tom unpack the performance – a decent start, then a collapse that felt all too familiar.

There’s reaction to Cleverley’s post-match comments, questions over tactics and leadership, and a discussion about his remarks on summer recruitment – some finger-pointing towards those above him, and whether airing that frustration publicly undermines Paul Berne’s call for unity. The pair further discuss Berne’s public backing of the manager, the club’s messaging, and whether stability has started to look like stagnation.

Fifteen games in, the point Cleverley asked to be judged at, and the verdict feels clear. The pod wrestles with the big question: if not now, when?

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Trigger warning: we lost 2–0, again. And it contains strong language, appropriately.

Archie, Chris, Mark and Tom explore a game that was at once unique and exactly the same. A radio-only experience, unless you were one of the poor souls who watched that, in the rain, and some who had 30 minutes of our local rivals winning in Halifax.

Less structure, nuance and focus than normal; a pod of raw emotion. Yes, a defeat, but another game with no attacking intent, multiple defensive lapses and a lack of demonstrable heart.

Consensus is that the head coach’s position is increasingly untenable, but a public backing in the week leaves everyone wondering what, if not an exit, can come next.

It’s a hard listen, and it’s painful. It’s repetitious, but so was the game.

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Is it Groundhog Day, again? 

Alex and Chris take the late night shift post Mansfield. Let’s face it we could cut and paste the Exeter description here as that is what played out on the pitch…

But - things start at the end with a review of some unusual and potentially insightful comments from the Head Coach. Then to the game from a last minute change of line up (to 6 changes, does that make it 5 or 7?) a comedy goal, impotent attacking, a reprieve after some flair players are finally unleashed and - another comedy goal. Despite best efforts to remain level headed the ghost of Cleverly Out is shaking its chains in the background, ready for Halloween.

At least it’s the FA Cup next. Against the bogey teams of bogey teams. Lovely.

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Even a deliberate 48 hours to let the dust settle can’t lift the Devon Derby cloud of doom. Archie, Chris and Mark (and special guest Dewdney the Alien) do their best.

A brief Part One reviews the game. Sorry. Even a disallowed goal can’t get everyone angry; instead, there’s a sense that defensive mistakes, slow sideways football and unusual selections achieved an inevitable defeat.

Part Two looks at the bigger themes. Is it time to make a managerial change, or does that just exaggerate the instability? Lack of experience and lack of staff is a fact — how do you change that in October? Are we using data, or are we making false comparisons? I write these every week and notice that I’m always asking questions. Does that mean something? Who knows…

Mansfield away to come. It can’t get worse. Can it?

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So excited to be back after a never ending international break. So, this was always on the cards wasn’t it? Home Park continues to pose more problems to the home team than the away side in another frustrating performance.

A high quality early goal set false expectations in a game where Argyle never really got going. Is this on the players or the planning is a key part of the discussion , as are two gifted goals and a turgid struggle to drag ourselves back. It never really felt like happening and in summary, it feels like the more deserving team deserved all three points on the day. 

Part two and thoughts turn to the return of Devon derby. Some historical highlights and preview discussion cannot hide that everyone is more nervous than excited. Finally a brief discussion about a departing Head of Recruitment and a dollop of perspective. On to Thursday we go...

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On this week’s episode of the Pilgrims Podcast, we’re delighted to be joined by James Greenacre. James is the current Commercial Director at Plymouth Albion, but previously worked for Plymouth Argyle in various capacities over a 19-year period.

In Part One, we discuss some key moments from James’s time at Argyle, including administration and the promotions he experienced while at the club. We also turn our attention to Argyle’s new CEO, Paul Berne, and what he will bring to the role. James also shares his thoughts on Andrew Parkinson, his predecessor, and the way he professionalised the club overnight when he took charge in 2019 — perhaps not receiving the credit he deserves for helping to kickstart a positive new chapter in Argyle’s modern history.

In Part Two, the focus shifts to James’s boyhood club, AFC Wimbledon, who visit Home Park in a week’s time. We talk about his long association with the Dons and the club’s rebirth following the you-know-what merger with MK. James outlines their impressive journey under Johnnie Jackson, who has taken the club from a difficult start to a recent play-off final victory at Wembley — one that James was finally able to enjoy from the stands.

There’s plenty more too, including James’s insights into his current role at Albion, and how the club offers a great alternative day out for Argyle fans on an Argyle-free weekend.

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