Tom Harris rates the players in another embarrasing loss for Plymouth Argyle, this time at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
Plymouth Argyle produced a dismal display as they were well beaten 3-0 by Sheffield Wednesday at Home Park
Despite an optimistic start for Argyle, it was the visitors who took the lead when Nathaniel Ogbeta diverted a cross into his own net.
Heads dropped and the visitors took advantage by doubling their lead shortly before the break. Some sloppy Argyle play led to Wednesday gaining possession high up the pitch, and following some neat link up passes, Callum Paterson was on hand to fire in to make it 2-0.
Despite three half time changes, Argyle seemingly performed worse after the break, failing to register even a shot at James Beadle’s goal. The visitors, backed by a vociferous crowd sealed three points when the lively Djieidi Gassama fired in the goal his performance had frankly deserved.
Here are the ratings from the match.
Conor Hazard: 5. It feels like it’s rinse and repeat at the moment for Hazard. Helpless to stop any of the Wednesday goals which were beyond his reach, but the keeper did make several stops to reduce the scoreline.
Matty Sorinola – 4. The right-back had limited opportunities to get forward throughout the 90 and struggled to deal with the Wednesday attacks down their left side where both of their first two goals came from.
Maksym Talovierov – 4. Similarly to Sorinola, Maxi was victim to struggling to get close to Wednesday in the opening half. He was beaten to the ball in the build up for both of the first half goals which was disappointing given his solid start to life in Green.
Nikola Katic – 4. As he surrendered possession too easily for Wednesday’s third goal, it was not a memorable display from Katic who wore the armband in place of the suspended Adam Randell. The centre back was also victim to pumping a number of seemingly aimless lobs forward which simply gifted possession back to the visitors, rather than finding a green shirt
Julio Pleguezuelo – 5. The Spaniard made several key interventions in his 45 minute spell, but did pick up a booking (which looked harsh) in that time and was replaced by Palsson at the break.
Nathaniel Ogbeta – 4. After a positive impact away at Manchester City and Hull, Ogbeta had the opportunity from the start against Wednesday but offered little. The full back had one shot which drifted wide in the opening exchanges, but gave the away side the lead when he bundled a cross beyond Hazard. Subbed for Puchacz at half time.
Darko Gyabi – 4. Another disappointing display from Argyle’s midfield as a collective, Gyabi failed to get Argyle driving forward, often choosing the simple ball back to the defence which only made life simple for Wednesday’s back line.
Malachi Boateng – 4. After a positive performance at Hull, Boateng was brought in to start ahead of Jordan Houghton. He was outrun, and outfought as Wednesday, like many others this season, dominated the midfield battle. An astray pass from Boateng nearly let Matt Smith make it 4-0 but for a great stop by Hazard late on.
Callum Wright – 4. Seems to get in good positions but his final ball/touch hasn’t been there for Wright all too often this season and it was the same again against Wednesday. Replaced by Hardie at half time.
Bali Mumba – 4. It’s still uncertain if he can perform in the attacking midfield role, aside from one positive 45 minute display against Cardiff. Apart from the opening exchanges when Argyle looked on top, it was another quiet performance from Mumba who couldn’t create anything such was the away side’s dominance.
Mustapha Bundu – 4. Selected up top but again struggled to cope with holding the ball up amongst Wednesday’s seasoned centre halves. He forced Beadle into a routine save early one from range but that aside it was another frustrating display from Bundu.
Substitutions
Ryan Hardie – 5. Made an introduction at half time but it was clear to see he wasn’t fit and up to speed in this one following a back injury. Despite this, he put in a shift as ever for the shirt, however should his efforts have been saved for Portsmouth away?
Victor Palsson – 4. A straight swap for the booked Pleguezuelo but failed to add any stability for Argyle’s shaken back line. Got caught on the wrong side of Gassama who added Wednesday’s third goal.
Tymoteusz Puchacz – 4. One of the three half time changes but didn’t offer anything like what is expected of him. His first touch let him down on more than one occasion, a basic mistake which was met with groans from the Green Army.
Michael Obafemi – 4. Subbed on on the hour but again struggled to make an impact. This loan has been a frustrating one for him and for Argyle.
Joe Edwards – 5. The only positive from the game was the fact that Edwards came on for hits long-awaited return. Bringing energy and leadership he tried his best to get Argyle going forward to no avail. He will be much needed in the run in if Argyle are to somehow survive.