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Search forGallagher back for Cardiff clash
Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:00
The loan signing from Blackburn Rovers is the Pilgrims' top scorer with five goals and has been hugely influential for them this season.
It would be a major surprise if manager Paul Sturrock did not play Gallagher, who was banned after being booked five times.
But how Sturrock will accommodate the 24-year-old in his starting line-up remains to be seen.
Emile Mpenza led Argyle's attack when they won 1-0 away to Coventry City last Saturday, with Rory Fallon playing in a slightly deeper role behind him.
And Steve MacLean impressed Sturrock when he came on as a late substitute for Mpenza.
So with Gallagher now thrown into the mix, the Pilgrims' boss has several options to consider.
"Yes, it's a dilemma because there are certain people in the team who haven't let themselves down in any way," said Sturrock.
Argyle's last game at Home Park was a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic on November 8, when Gallagher played wide on the left of midfield.
However, Gallagher was not an influence on the match until he was moved into a more central position in the closing stages.
Sturrock said: "He has played more games on the left than he has at centre-forward in this league, so he has got that in his armoury.
"But we don't seem to get the ball to him enough when he does play there.
"The one that has disappointed me a wee bit is that his best performances have probably been away from home.
"I think it's when we have been away from home, other teams have sat back and given us that 10 yards which he lives in.
"But when we are at home they play further up the pitch."
Mpenza made his first start for Argyle against Coventry and put in a hard-working performance before he made way for MacLean in the 74th minute.
Asked whether it would be unfair on Mpenza to leave him out of the side against Cardiff, Sturrock said: "Was it unfair to take Steve MacLean out last week?
"You have to take into account the opposition, style of play and different centre-backs. Sometimes you have just got to go with your gut feeling on the right pairing.
"I thought Emile was the right person to play last Saturday, and he didn't let me down in any way.
"He was actually much sharper than he has shown in the past. His linkage was the best on the pitch so he came to the show a wee bit.
"Do I keep him in because of that, or do I bring back my top goalscorer, or do I try to accommodate Emile and my top goal scorer, and MacLean maybe, and Rory maybe and (Jamie) Mackie maybe?
"We are going over ground that is going to be decided over the next 24 hours."
Sturrock told The Herald last week he was considering playing a more attack-minded formation for home games.
That is because of their poor results at Home Park, where they have only won three times in eight attempts this season.
And Sturrock seems intent on carrying that out.
He said: "That's what is in my thoughts at this minute in time. We have to come up with something that is going to win us a good percentage of our games at home. Away from home, it's potential championship-winning form. The problem is our home form has been very erratic.
"It's important we try to get a settled formula that enables us to win football games here."
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