Plymouth Argyle earned just their third away point of the season with a draw at Stoke City. Tom Harris rates the players.
A resolute performance from Plymouth Argyle earned them only their third away point of the season as they played out a 0-0 stalemate with Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium.
In a game where chances were extremely limited, it was Argyle’s defence that came under intense pressure, but their back 3 shone to deny Stoke a home victory under new boss Mark Robins.
Here are the ratings from the game.
Conor Hazard, GK – 6. Despite Stoke’s constant pressure the goalkeeper didn’t have too many saves to make. His best stop came in the second half when he got down quickly to deny a goal bound strike from Junior Tchamadeu. He was in the first half for time wasting but nevertheless used his experience well to see tick down the seconds for Argyle and secure our first away clean sheet of the campaign.
Matty Sorinola, RWB – 7. Another energetic display was on show from Sorinola who had to be more disciplined in his approach due to the pressure of the home side. He offered a threat on the counter before being replaced by Ogbeta in the final stages.
Kornel Szucs, CB – 8. There’s a platform for Szucs to step in as Argyle’s marquee centre back, following the departure of Lewis Gibson. Szucs won headers, tackles and was a key part in the back line that limited Stoke to very few clear cut chances.
Julio Pleguezuelo, CB – 8. Another great game from the Spaniard who was described as a ‘warrior’ by Kevin Nancekivell in midweek. There were big tackles again and the former Arsenal youngster showed he had the composure at the back with some neat touches.
Brendan Galloway, CB – 8. The Zimbabwean defender was played on the left side of the three and had his work cut out in the battle with Lewis Koumas. Though beaten on a few occasions, Galloway mainly stood up to the task of dealing with the lively Liverpool loanee. A second full 90 in a matter of a few days will do him good considering his recent injury woes.
Bali Mumba, LWB – 8 POTM. I stress that the player of the match award could have gone to any of the back 5 however I chose Bali Mumba after what I thought was a great display from the wing back. He drove Argyle forward in the first half, and when they had to dig in, he doubled up with Galloway to nullify Stoke’s right flank. Latterly he was shifted over to right back after Sorinola was subbed off and continued his great defensive display. Well in l, Bali!
Adam Randell, CM – 7. It always was going to be a tricky game for Argyle’s midfield but Randell stuck to his task well and showed the defensive side of his game especially after the break.
Darko Gyabi, CM – 6. The midfielder showed some positive signs in the first half breaking through the Stoke lines and forced the home keeper into a routine save early on where he perhaps could have passed to Whittaker, before being replaced by Adam Forshaw after the break.
Rami Al Hajj, CAM – 6. The Swede is etting a good run in the side of late and beginning to link well with Mumba with some tidy passes on the left side. Like Gyabi , he needs to be sharper in the final third with choice of pass etc. He wqas booked for dissent in the second half before being replaced by Jordan Houghton.
Morgan Whittaker, CAM – 6. Not the game for any attacking player to thrive in, but a tireless effort from Argyle’s number 10 who will have been happy to have stepped up his recovery from injury. He had a couple opportunities to put Argyle on the counter late on but opted to run the game down to hold on to a point.
Michael Obafemi ST – 5. It was a tough game to be thrown into but as Argyle’s only fit striker with Hardie sidelined with a shoulder injury. As the game progessed, he struggled to keep possession against Stoke’s sizeable centre halves before being replaced by Freddie Isaaka in the second half.
Substitutes
Freddie Isaaka, ST – 6. The youngster was brought on to stretch the Stoke defence but lacked service. Had an opportunity to hit on the break but couldn’t hold his line to stay onside when he really should have.
Adam Forshaw, CM – 7. A really impressive 20 minutes for Forshaw who intercepted well, broke up play and got Argyle on the front foot.
Nathaniel Ogbeta, LWB – 6. Replaced Sorinola with 10 minutes to go and did a fine job in subduing the lively Koumas as Stoke searched for a winner.
Jordan Houghton, CM – 6. Brought on for Al Hajj and did his bit to keep Stoke at bay.