Argyle’s return to League One started with a whimper- going down 3-1 to the South Yorkshire club in a game myred by controversy. Tom Harris does the ratings.
\Argyle opened their league one season with a defensive display to forget as they were defeated 3-1 by Barnsley at Home Park.
After having a goal of their own ruled out for a shirt pull by Caleb Watts, Argyle conceded the first goal of the match when debutant Brendan Wiredu tapped a free kick into his own net.
On the half hour mark Argyle failed to clear the ball on multiple occasions, as Victor Palsson’s rushed clearance fell to Adam Phillips who rifled home to put Barnsley two to the good.
Despite Watts halving the deficit after the break with a close range finish and Barnsley being reduced to 10 men, Tom Cleverley’s opening game in charge finished in defeat as a woeful mix up between Kornel Szucs and Bali Mumba let Davis Keillor Dunn in to make it 3-1.
Here are the ratings from the game.
Luca Ashby Hammond GK – 5. An unconvincing debut. Hit and miss with the distribution. Perhaps he have come out to claim the ball in the build up to Barnsley’s second. He made a great save to deny it from being 3-1 but powerless to stop the eventual last goal.
Matty Sorinola RB – 5 Caught out at times defensively and his forward play wasn’t as good as he knows it could have been. Wasted a good opportunity when he curled a first half free kick wide of the target. Nevertheless an energetic display from Sorinola who was subbed late on.
Victor Palsson CB – 3 Wore the armband with Edwards on the bench. Shaky on the ball, too many wayward passes. His hap hazard decision making and poor headed clearance put the ball on a plate for Barnsley’s second. Slight saving grace for his rating was his flick on did provide the assist for Watts’ goal.
Kornel Szucs CB – 5 Just didn’t look comfortable as he has done previously. However, he used his vision to Argyle’s advantage and played some terrific raking passes, including a cross for Watts’ saved header in the first half. His long throws though an asset were to little advantage when the men in green in the box were beaten on most occasions. Should have cleared out Mumba and the ball late on, instead the duo got in each others way and ultimately ended the game for Argyle with the final goal.
Brendan Galloway LB – 5 Think he’s more assured at centre back than on the left. Had a big task on his hands as Argyle’s press always left a man spare on his side. Subbed off midway through the second half as a precaution.
Brendan Wiredu CM – 3 After a promising pre season it was a 45 minutes to forget for Wiredu who converted into his own net on 13 minutes. His rushed attempt at a clearance played a part in Barnsley’s second, and he was booked before the break as tempers flared. Subbed at half time and received a torrent of direct abuse from Argyle fans after the game which is simply unacceptable and not the type of environment that is wanted at Argyle. I am sure there will be better performances to come.
Bradley Ibrahim CM – 6 Provided some much needed intensity into the midfield and not scared to put in a tackle. That being said, his reckless challenge gave away the free kick which led to the opener. A few nice touches and clear to see he wants to get the ball down and playing. Shown a yellow card as part of the hot-headed melee which took place before half time.
Malachi Boateng CM – 5 Started after Cleverley thought he had a good pre season but didn’t offer much on the day and was part of an Argyle midfield that wasn’t beaten too easily on the counter.
Xavier Amaechi RW – 6 Some signs of promise from Argyle’s number 10 who looks very similar to Morgan Whittaker in his style of play. Provided a great assist for the goal that wasn’t when he beat his man and found Watts. He wasn’t deterred by that setback and showed terrific vision with some long passes. Could have had a goal of his own but his second half free kick whizzed narrowly past the post.
Bali Mumba LW – 5 Operating further up the pitch this season. Mumba rarely had the opportunity to use his blistering pace to trouble defenders. He eventually finished the game at left back.
Caleb Watts ST – 8 With the absence of a recognised number 9 Watts stepped in for the season’s curtain raiser and put in a terrific display. The former Exeter man was full of effort and energy and his press caused constant trouble for the Barnsley defence. Unlucky to see his first goal ruled out, and forced Barnsley’s Cooper into two big saves before he eventually got his goal with a well taken finish.
Subs:
Jamie Paterson – 5 A half time change for Wiredu but failed to impact the game as much as hoped. His sloppy pass nearly resulted in a Barnsley third but for a good save by Ashby-Hammond.
Joe Edwards – 5 Played the last 15 minutes as Argyle looked to turn the screw against ten man Barnsley but that wasn’t to be.
Freddie Isaaka – Introduced with just over 5 minutes to go but had little opportunity to get on the ball.
Owen Oseni – One last roll of the dice as Oseni entered the match late on. The forward couldn’t get into the game though much to Argyle’s frustration.