Surely the final nail in our coffin? Tom Harris rates the players in the loss to Derby.
Argyle’s Championship survival hopes were dealt a significant blow as Derby defeated the Greens 3-2 at Home Park.
The Pilgrims are now six points from safety, with an unenviable run in, after defeat to Derby who were 2-0 up in the first 25 minutes. Argyle failed to clear a long throw not once but twice as Marcus Harness and Harrison Armstrong capitalised on some shoddy defending.
To their credit Argyle fired back and halved the deficit through a magnificent free kick from Mustapha Bundu, and within seconds of the restart were level when Callum Wright’s effort flicked in off Nat Phillips.
Despite having momentum and the home crowd on their side the Pilgrims failed to take the lead although Bundu and Bali Mumba brought out great saves from Widell Zetterstrom between the posts for Derby.
Ultimately, the lack of firepower proved vital as the visitors stole all three points late on. Nikola Katic failed to head the ball away on two occasions, Derby kept the attack alive as Callum Elder crossed to Harness who flicked in the header two minutes from time.
Here are the ratings from the fixture:
Conor Hazard, GK – 5. Perhaps fortunate not to have conceded a third in the first half when he dropped the ball under pressure for Derby to tap in. To Hazard’s relief the referee blew for what looked a soft free kick. Made a brilliant stop late on to deny Derby a fourth goal.
Bali Mumba, RWB – 5. Moved to right wing back in the absence of Sorinola and produced a fairly decent display. Went close to scoring in the second half when he chopped inside but his left footed attempt from range was well saved by the goalkeeper at the near post. Though it was good to see Joe Edwards come on again, Argyle certainly lost attacking threat when Mumba was subbed.
Kornel Szucs, RCB – 5. A start for Szucs with Pleguezuelo sidelined through injury. The Hungarian largely defended well and was sent upfield to win knock downs from Hazard’s long kicks. His long throws into the box failed to cause any danger for Derby and his poor clearance led to Armstrong’s goal.
Nikola Katic, CB – 3. Not a game to remember as Katic had a say in all three of Derby’s goals. He was one of three Argyle players beaten to the ball for the first goal. He didn’t clear his header for the second. For Derby’s third he had two chances to head clear and didn’t, which eventually led to the Rams scoring their late winner.
Maksym Talovierov, LCB – 4. Some strong tackles as ever from Maxi but the Ukrainian was also guilty of some questionable defending. Argyle’s number 40 was shrugged aside way too easily by Harness for the opener. He also was beaten to the second ball in the clumsy defending that led to Derby’s second. Didn’t look as comfortable on the left side of the back three as he did on the right.
Tymoteusz Puchacz, LWB – 4. When he arrived Puchacz was always a threat bombing up the line, but we haven’t seen that as much of late and his corner deliveries are often quite erratic. Subbed for Ogbeta late on.
Darko Gyabi, CM – 4. Gyabi failed to follow up on a battling display in midweek as he was overrun in midfield. As has been the case so often this season, Argyle were left chasing the extra man in the middle making it difficult for the midfield to get on the ball. Couldn’t drive Argyle forward when it was desperately needed and was substituted after the break.
Jordan Houghton, CM – 5. Won the ball back on the counter seconds into the second half which eventually led to Argyle’s equaliser but that aside it was another tough game for Houghton. Like I’ve written before, this direct style of play at times ghosts the midfield and when they do get on the ball their passes are sideways rather than forwards with the little options ahead.
Callum Wright, AM – 5. Still looking for that elusive goal after his effort which eventually rolled into the net early in the second half went down as a Nat Phillips own goal. Played a stunning through ball to Hardie in the first half at 0-0 but the forward failed to capitalise.
Ryan Hardie, ST – 5. Still not looking at his fittest but you can see he’s giving everything for the shirt. Wright played him in when the game was all square but unlike Portsmouth where he elegantly finished, he took his touch too far and the chance went begging. Came up with a brilliant cross for the leveller just after the restart. Hopefully he can get some well-needed rest during the international break.
Mustapha Bundu, ST – 7 POTM. An easy choice for Argyle’s player of the match award. The forward hassled the defence throughout, got Argyle moving and scored the goal his performance deserved when he whipped a fantastic free kick into the far corner right on half time. He could have doubled his tally for the day, but another free kick was well saved as Argyle looked for a winner. Need more performances like this if Argyle are to somehow stay up.
Substitutes:
Michael Obafemi – 4. Brought on for Callum Wright but failed to influence the game at all.
Joe Edwards – 5. Argyle lost attacking threat when Edwards came on in place of Mumba. Another step towards full fitness for the club captain.
Malachi Boateng – 4. Introduced for Gyabi in the midfield but also struggled in the thick of the action. Guilty of ball watching for Derby’s third when Harness ran off the back of him to tap home.
Nathaniel Ogbeta – 4. A like for like switch for Puchacz, sent in some half decent looking crosses but came to nothing.
Rami Al Hajj – N/A. Muslic went for all three points, subbing a Szucs off for Al Hajj in the closing stages, this proved to be costly as Derby took advantage of the extra space at the back to score their winner, while Al Hajj failed to make any desired impact in his short spell on pitch.