Pilgrims Podcast

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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Special guest 'Woody' from Bastille joins us for the episode - check out Season 2 of his football 'Away Days' podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/170qs464eGuTSR4VibsSG6

Woody joins Chris, Mark and Tom to make them happier after a frustrating draw full of bad blood against Ryan Lowe's Wigan Athletic at Home Park.

Part One, the game. With the dust settled, there is agreement that a point was a fair result. Joy - again - for Tolaj, less so for the flaws in defence, a referee wanting to send them off!, and the doom days not quite being behind us just yet.

Part Two - the return of the quiz - good grief! An international quiz for Argyle stalwarts from around the wild world.

We will miss you for two weeks Argyle - until we are back home for the next match.

Bastille open their tour at Plymouth Pavilions on 5th Nov 2025 - tickets here https://tickets.plymouthpavilions.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=BASTILLE25

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Never in doubt.

No one was dreading a trip to the bottom of the table, were they?

A first part that is appropriately full of praise and joy. Riding out an early storm, scorers scoring goals, an exciting and capable midfield, and the return of our first-choice number one with a solid performance. So much to like, let’s revel in it. AND we scored four, AND we could have scored more.

Part two starts with a review of recruitment: were we too harsh at the start of the season, given the late joiners and how much they have added to the team? Sometimes humble pie tastes good. A shout-out to the club and the women’s team, a look forward to the return of Ryan Lowe and even further forward with the Devon derby on the horizon.

Drink it up, Greens. Drink it all in.

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Typical Argyle? Building momentum after some positive followed by a home defeat to, at the time, bottom of the table Peterborough. But was it that simple? Alex hosts as Chris, Mark and Tom discuss a game that has polarised support.

In an extended part one, is the first twenty minutes another false dawn? Or did it form part of a pattern of improved overall performance? Should our goalkeeper be praised for progress and a penalty save, or are his faults still at the heart of our issues? Are we unlucky hitting the bar and with some great saves or is getting it over the line all that counts? Should the manager be praised for mixing things up or berated for a damp squib of an ending? You get the point. 

A quick part two moves off the pitch. Injuries, recruitment, youth and a departing CEO - is it time to embrace the quantum of chaos on and off the field?

Onto Spurs Under 12s.

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One for the ages.

Tom hosts with Mark, Chris and Archie to deconstruct an absolutely batshit afternoon in Luton. Two penalties (could have been at least four), two red cards (one on and one off the field), five goals (including a comedic winner), ten minutes of injury time, another injury, too many heroic clearances to count, and too many standout performances for just one man of the match. League One – we love you, we do.

In Part Two, a review of the Fans’ Forum and the ultra-transparent overview provided of club finances. There’s alignment on the strength of the content, but differing opinions on where the focus could or should have been. Overall, though, it has been a great week for everyone at Home Park – even if the CEO remains conspicuous in his absence.

Onwards to bottom-of-the-table Peterborough at home, in confident mood. Don’t make us regret typing that, Argyle.

COYG

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