We have to learn from Barnsley
MIDFIELDER Karl Duguid has admitted Plymouth Argyle must learn the lessons from their dismal display against Barnsley at Home Park on Saturday.
The Pilgrims were losing 4-1 when the Championship clash was abandoned by referee Gavin Ward in the 59th minute after torrential rain flooded the pitch.
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Argyle dropped one position to 23rd in the Championship table as a consequence, with Ipswich Town moving above them after winning 2-1 at Cardiff City on Sunday.
So the pressure is on the Pilgrims to put in a much-improved performance when they play Sheffield United at Home Park this Saturday.
Duguid
(pictured right)
admitted Argyle had been fortunate the atrocious weather came to their rescue against Barnsley.
He said: "I don't think at any time this season anyone has put us up against it like that.
"It's something we can learn from. We will look at that during the week and we have got a massive game against Sheffield United this weekend."
Barnsley were understandably dismayed at the abandonment of the game on Saturday, with them in such a commanding position.
Duguid said: "It has happened to me before. When I was at Colchester we were 3-0 up at half-time and the game got abandoned. It's just one of those things.
"Had it been the other way around, and we had been leading 4-1, then they (Barnsley) would have been as pleased as we were.
"We got out of jail, and it's something for us to look at."
Argyle had taken the lead against Barnsley in only the ninth minute when Duguid fired home after a cross from midfielder Alan Judge.
Duguid said: "We went 1-0 up and we were doing okay. Then, as soon as we conceded a goal, every time they went forward they looked like they were going to score."
Ward abandoned the game because he was concerned the worsening conditions were a threat to the players' safety.
Duguid said: "You have got to be careful, and the ref doesn't want it on his head that somebody got injured because of what the pitch was like.
"When Judgey ran with it (the ball) and got tackled by a puddle, I think that just summed it up.
"Enough was enough then, and it was the right decision.
"Barnsley are going to argue against that, because they were 4-1 up. I think if it was the other way around we would have been exactly the same."
Duguid's goal against Barnsley would have been his second of the season, but it will not stand now.
And Argyle top scorer Jamie Mackie's one-match suspension will have to be carried over into the game against Sheffield United.
Mackie had been forced to sit out the visit of Barnsley after picking up five yellow cards this term.
The versatile Duguid was given a new role by Sturrock on Saturday.
The 31-year-old had played at right-back in the 1-0 defeat away to Leicester City the previous weekend.
But Duguid lined up on the left-side of midfield against Barnsley.
He said: "I think in my first season in the Championship with Colchester I probably played 50 per cent of the games at left-midfield.
"So it's a position I know, but obviously I'm not going to be like Nooney (winger Craig Noone) or somebody like that.
"I came in from the left and scored a goal, but that doesn't even count now."
Argyle and Barnsley are now in talks about setting a new date for the fixture.
The Football League could insist on it being played on Tuesday, December 15, which is the next available midweek slot.
But it is more likely the two sides will have to wait until early in 2010 before meeting at Home Park again.
Argyle are away to Swansea City next Tuesday as part of a full round of Championship matches that night.
A decision on admission prices for the rearranged game against Barnsley will be taken at boardroom level in the near future.
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/argyle
38 Comments
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by mark, nz
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 10:46PM
“Not all bad news - palace unable to pay players and under transfer embargo (maybe sturrock should have on of those). watford with £1million emegergency loan, cardiff threatened with winding up over unpaid loan from Sam Hammam. other teams in the league in financial straights- could see a few 10point deductions on the way. Will argyle be saved by the accounts we had in charge - our books are in better nick!!!”
by b_mused, Saltash
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 10:44PM
“Why can't the whingers below appreciate that Sturrock is a tactical genius. Knowing full well that the game wouldn't be completed, he asked for an early lead followed by complete capitulation before half time. Barnsley will be hugely over confident and easy meat for Argyle when the game is rearranged.”
by Zoony, Saturn
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 8:39PM
“Doctor X - you clearly show your youthful age of 12 by the silly comments you are unable to back up.
I agree with most on here today - our very, very inept manager has to go. Board - either sack him, tell him to go or get Doctor X and his crazy bunch of androids to physically remove him.
I didn't get wet at the game - I was standing under my very bright see through pink Mickey mouse umbrella with huge black ears - didn't think it was raining much - it felt like another intergalactic storm.
Think the only thing they can learn from Barnsley is how to keep the pressure on a weakened team, hit them on the counter and know where the target is. Clearly all of this is beyond Argyle whilst no suitable tactics are employed by Sturrock - time to go I am afraid.”
by Colin, Southampton
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 6:19PM
“We had to live the long years of punishment with Dan McCauley and now long years with Sturrock. What have we done to deserve this?. Sturrock has been found out. Problem is he won't leave so just sack him. It is simple as that. We all know he is going to go sooner or later. Why prolong the agony for us all. He has to go.
With regards to Karl Duguid comments. What lessons have they learned. How many games have they now had to learn lessons ???”
by taribo, plymouth
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 6:16PM
“Got very wet too and trapped behind the static Barnsley coaches while their occupants stayed in the ground.
It was all Folly,s fault as he was the only one substituted so I suppose it means the others on the bench were worse than those on the pitch.
God help us.! Where is Barker BWP etc;?
Not been going to HP quite as long as Rob Mid -Devon but sadly I agree with most of his comments.”
by ricky, Callington
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:56PM
“Dave Plymouth
I was once a season ticket holder until the end of last season .
I left at the end of the Barnsley game ,the last game of last season and told myself that was it i will not be renewing my ticket for this season ,while this clown of a manager and club show they have the FOOTBALL TEAM as there priority .This The answer is obvious. I have been right in not renewing and am delighted i did'nt . Dont renew if your funds are not there you will soon see there is life after football {especially poor football]”
by Tony Smith, Plymouth
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 5:42PM
“How much more do the" not so new " Board need to see to realise that we are heading in one direction only ,how many more posts /comments have to be written for someone to wake up to the fact that we are way out of our depth ?People are voting with their absence from home matches ,why are the Directors waiting so long to take action ?Do they actually watch the games ?are they Football people ?
There is no light at the end of the tunnel ,its pitch black ,ACT NOW PLEASE ,THERE IS STILL TIME .”
by ken, hartley vale
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 4:16PM
“When will the Plymouth Argyle Board take notice of the need for change of manager. MARK Robins was appointed at BARNSLEY when they were dire. Look at them now,completely outclassed Argyle. What do we see LARRIEU performing like a clown and telling the groundsmen not to fork the Devonport end goal mouth at half time. What a joke . Blackpool in the plays offs - Ollie getting the best out of his players. Sturrock in the relegation zone again couldn't get discount at Sainsburys!!.”
by Dave, Plymouth
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 3:50PM
“Bottom line guys? Rubbish players, rubbish manager, rubbish everything. I've been a supporter for 55 years and a season ticket for many. I struggle to buy my season ticket. Unless things drastically improve I will not bother next season. The club may be hard up and won't invest but so am I hard up and I won't choose to invest either. I've come to the end of my tether.”
by Steve, at home
Tuesday, December 01 2009, 3:29PM
“i went to the game on saturday and as many have stated before it was a disgrace but i have another point to highlight to you all.
In the morning i drove up to the ground to exchange my voucher for a ticket,i had a friend with me who said as we drove into the car park `Is this really a car park` yes i replied.
She then said to me she was not getting out the car as it looks really dangerous and with the amount of pot holes and surface water someone could do themselves a serious injury.
She is probably right and if it hasnt happened yet then i dont expect it will be long before it does.”