Fallon in line for Pilgrims recall

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Friday, November 27, 2009
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This is Cornwall

PLYMOUTH Argyle must cope without top scorer Jamie Mackie when they take on Barnsley at Home Park tomorrow (3pm).

Mackie will be serving a one-match suspension after receiving five yellow cards this season.

As a result, New Zealand international striker Rory Fallon is set to be recalled to the starting line-up.

Argyle manager Paul Sturrock has also admitted winger Craig Noone could come into the side.

Mackie has scored four goals this season and his recent performances have been a key part to the Pilgrims' improved results.

Sturrock said: "Jamie has been an influence for the last six or seven games. He runs the line very well and he causes a lot of problems.

"But it does give an opportunity to somebody to come in. I have got to weigh up who it is. There are a few runners and riders for that slot."

Sturrock's other attacking options are Ashley Barnes and on-loan Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan.

But Fallon is the most likely to be paired with Alan Gow as the Pilgrims' strike force.

Fallon scored the winning goal for Argyle in their last home game, a 2-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers on November 7.

He then netted the all-important goal for New Zealand when they beat Bahrain 1-0 in Wellington to secure a spot in the 2010 World Cup.

After returning from his homeland as a national hero, Fallon was then used as a second half substitute in the Pilgrims' 1-0 defeat at Leicester City last Saturday.

Fallon missed Argyle's training session yesterday because he was part of the delegation from Plymouth which visited Wembley Stadium to submit their bid to be a 2018 World Cup host city.

Sturrock admitted Fallon's absence 'wasn't ideal' but he added: "The World Cup bid is an important aspect of the club at this minute in time."

Fallon was put through his paces on Wednesday morning, however, when most of the Argyle squad were on a day off.

Head coach Paul Mariner took Fallon, Barnes and Mackie for a workout.

Sturrock said: "Rory had a solid hour on Wednesday, so it's not as if he has missed anything of real content.

"He was in with Paul (Mariner), and Jamie and Barnesy also came in, so they did some finishing."

Noone has made only three substitute appearances in the Championship for Argyle this season.

But the 22-year-old was recently recalled from a successful loan spell at Devon rivals Exeter City and tomorrow could see him make his first start since a 1-0 defeat at Swansea City in March.

Sturrock said: "Noone is definitely in my thoughts. We have to be offensive-minded when we are at home.

"I can either have a system change which enables me to have Gow in a more withdrawn role, or I can put someone on the width who would be very positive."

Midfielder Jim Paterson is ruled out of the clash against Barnsley after suffering a hamstring injury at Leicester.

Paterson is not expected to return to training until late next week, at the earliest.

But Karl Duguid could be available tomorrow, despite picking up a calf strain and a dead leg in the defeat by Leicester.

"Duguid trained yesterday and we will see what reaction he has today," said Sturrock.

David Gray, the on-loan Manchester United defender, is still sidelined by the hip problem which ruled him out of the side against Leicester.

But Darcy Blake has now completed a three-match suspension so could be recalled to play at right-back tomorrow.

Blake was banned after being controversially sent-off in the 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich Town on October 24.

Now, five weeks later, the loan signing from Cardiff City can return to competitive action for Argyle.

Sturrock said: "I thought the sending-off was a bit harsh, but he's really enjoying his football here."

Blake is on loan to Argyle until the end of December, but there is a possibility that it could be extended into the second part of the season.

Sturrock said: "I have had a chat with him about things and he's really up for it. He would be one I would definitely be interested in keeping."

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12 Comments

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Ian E, Cornwall

    Saturday, November 28 2009, 4:42PM

    “John in Black. Sturrock and what knowledge. Didn't have a clue at Southampton or Sheffield Weds. Had good players at both clubs.
    Be honest he has only signed mainly scottish friends of his that no one has heard of or wanted and they can't even get in this team he has made to struggle. No sentiment - Sturrock got to get out of it!”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by magic grandad, by the cornish sea

    Saturday, November 28 2009, 12:36AM

    “Stuff em Argyle,cant make it later lads im still in Wellington(thats NZ dopey Devon Mike and Sad Leicester Steve),be home soon COYG's”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Meister Me, Plymouth

    Friday, November 27 2009, 4:27PM

    “C'mon Barnsley, I would be taking the short walk to home park but they dont come and see me when I'm sick.”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by JohnInBlack, Plymouth

    Friday, November 27 2009, 1:15PM

    “Alex,
    Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?
    Whether you like it or not Sturrock is part of the short term plans of the new owners as we have already seen. They are using his considerable knowledge and experience to lay the blueprint for the clubs development and progress. Before you start slamming his efforts you would do well to consider the circumstances in which he has had to operate since Holloway¿s departure and the dismantling of a very good team.
    If you are an Argyle supporter get yourself along to Home Park and support, if not, then like many on this site you are sprouting off with no knowledge, concept or understanding of your subject.
    Lively debate and reasoned discussion is healthy and entertaining but mindless moaning is boring and childish in the extreme.”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Minnie Mouse, Plymouth

    Friday, November 27 2009, 1:06PM

    “Another home game, another chance for Argyle to bore another set of fans to death, "can you hear the plymouth sing, No , No". mainly because no one is watching them !!!”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Ralph, Plymouth

    Friday, November 27 2009, 12:18PM

    “Alex, perhaps you could at least slam the manager and club, after the forthcoming game, not before! We need support not suppression! Antony, I totally agree with you. If Ollie had held out a few years ago, he probably wouldn't have lost all the players we had, and we could be in the Prem by now, never mind. We fight on!”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Antony, Peverell

    Friday, November 27 2009, 11:11AM

    “On a seperate issue, I see that Capaldi joined Leeds United on loan yesterday - he'd probably still be playing in The Championship if he had stayed here..........”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by ian, ivybridge

    Friday, November 27 2009, 10:17AM

    “Can't believe Argyle allowed Fallon to miss a vital training session ahead of one of our "must win " home games so tha he could attend the jolly up at Wembley !

    I'm beginning to believe those who think the Board are more focussed on the World Cup bid than they are on Championship survival.”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by GreenArmy, Plym

    Friday, November 27 2009, 8:58AM

    “Alex - a little originality please. All you Anti-Sturrocks are starting to sound the same. I have a little advice for you, if you cannot support your manager and team, don't bother going. No one is forcing you. The real fans will be there, as the team needs us, regardless of who the manager is.”

  • Profile image for This is Cornwall

    by Steve, LEICESTER

    Friday, November 27 2009, 8:45AM

    “Morning Pli-mouth Fans...Another Championship weekend is here and another boring 4-5-1 negative tactics Pli-mouth performance will no doubt be on the cards for relegation contenders...”

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