Plymouth Argyle vs Chesterfield - Match Preview

Plymouth Argyle’s Jamie Lowry will come up against his former teammates on Saturday, when Argyle face table topping Chesterfield at Home Park.

After returning back to Plymouth in the early hours of Wednesday morning the Pilgrims find themselves in a relegation battle sitting in 19^th position in league two.  Carl Fletchers team are without a win in seven league and cup games, the last victory coming on the 20^th October against Rochdale.  In this situation Argyle have only picked up 1point out of a possible 18.  The point came against league leaders Gillingham at Home Park, in there 2 all draw.   As for Saturdays oppositions team, Chesterfield they are unbeaten in two league games with victories over Oxford and Cheltenham.

The visitors to Home Park on Saturday Chesterfield will not hesitate to look back at their last result at Home Park in January 2004, a 7-0 defeat for the Spireites.  The Johnstone Paint Trophy Wembley winners were relegated to Npower league 2 after finishing in 22^nd place in League 1.  On the 28^th April 2012 it was confirmed that Chesterfield had been transferred to league two after a 3-2 defeat to Yeovil Town, there first season in league one came to an end.  During the first few weeks of the new 2012-13 season the club had confirmed that John Sheridan had been sacked after picking up only 2points in the opening three games.  On the 25^th October former Wigan, Norwich and Burnley midfielder Paul Cook was appointed the Spireites manager, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Derbyshire based club.  

Many Argyle fans were surely very surprised to hear who had been given the captains armband as Darren Purse was unavailable through him being suspended as he was sent off for violent conduct in the 3-0 loss at Fleetwood on Saturday.  Most fans would have expected French defender Maxime Blanchard to take the captains armband, but Fletcher had other ideas.  He had given Conor Hourihane the opportunity to lead the team out on his 54^th appearance for the Pilgrims. Who will it be on Saturday?   

Plymouth Argyle will be without Scott Griffiths for the visit of Chesterfield on Saturday. The Peterborough loanee has returned to his parent club after the former Dagenham & Redbridge players loan expired after Tuesdays defeat to Bradford.  Fletcher brought the left sided defender to Devon on loan after the former Argyle midfielder learnt the full extent of Yorkshire born Robbie Williams stomach muscle injury.  Ever present central midfielder Luke Young will be doubtful for Saturday’s game due to the player missing Tuesday game in Yorkshire due to injury.  Another player that will face a race against time to be fit is Rhys Griffiths.  The former Welsh footballer had missed the 5day tour of the north of the country due to a hamstring strain that he picked up in the Gillingham encounter. Maxime Blanchard will be determined to keep hold of his place in the starting 11.  He had been kept out of the side after Nelson fine former, but returned to the side replacing Purse due to him being suspended for three games.  Manager Carl Fletcher will also have a selection headache while choosing his strikers.  Tyler Harvey a second year apprentice at Argyle made his league debut at Bradford on Tuesday evening made a very good account of himself after coming on as a second half substitution.  The deadline to make any emergency loan signings was on Thursday at 5pm. Carl Fletcher was able to sign Mark Molesley from Bournemouth on a 28day loan deal. The 31year old will be eligible to participate in next month’s Johnstones Paint Trophy tie against Oxford.  The player that wear the number 30 shirt will remain at Argyle up to and will include the trip to Arrington Stanley on December 22^nd.  The loanee will be eger to make his Argyle debut at Home Park this afternoon when the Pilgrims take on Chesterfield a 3pm kick-off. 

Available:- Jake Cole, Rene Gilmartin, Durrell Berry, Curtis Nelson, Jamie Richards, Maxime Blanchard, Onismor Bhasera, Alex MacDonald, Paris Cowan-Hall, Andres Gurrieri, Joe Lennox, Conor Hourihane, Jamie Lowry, Mark Molesley, Jared Sims, Jordan Copp, Nick Chadwick, Tyler Harvey, Matt Lecointe, Guy Madjo. 

Unavailable: - Darren Purse (suspended), Rhys Griffiths (hamstring injury), Paul Wotton (back injury), Robbie Williams (stomach muscle injury), Ollie Chenoweth (on loan to Frome Town), Jed Harper Penman and Isaac Vassell (both players on loan to Bideford Town), Luke Young (shoulder injury), Scott Griffiths (loan expired).