Plymouth ARGYLE vs Fleetwood Town-Match Preview

In John Sheridan’s managerial career no match is more important than Plymouth Argyle vs Fleetwood Town he states as the Pilgrims fight against relegation.

Plymouth Argyle return to Home Park for their second of two consecutive home match to be played, after Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Bradford, the Capital One Cup finalists. From Tuesday evening’s result promotion chasing Fleetwood Town are the visitors on Saturday, with the Pilgrims having to fight for all three points in a must win game. 

As the Npower League Two table stands there are 18points separating both Plymouth Argyle and Fleetwood Town.  The visitors Fleetwood Town are positioned in 8^th place with 55points; they are 5points away from the automatic places in the table.  Whilst for Argyle they are positioned just below the relegation line in 23^rd place with 37 points.  With three points on Saturday for John Sheridan’s Plymouth Argyle will mean that they will rise to 20^th place above both Aldershot and Devon rivals Torquay United.      

The last and only time Plymouth Argyle and Fleetwood Town met was on Saturday 17^th November 2012.  In this fixture in Lancashire former player and manager Carl Fletcher was the Plymouth Argyle boss in the 3-0 defeat.  Also in this encounter at the Highbury Stadium former Pilgrims captain Darren Purse was given a straight red card, which resulted in an automatic three match suspension.       

One familiar face returning to Home Park will be midfielder Damien Johnson.  The 32-year old first arrived at Home Park on 1^st February 2010 signing a two year contract with the Devon club after leaving Birmingham.  During this time Argyle were still playing in the Championship with manager Paul Mariner in charge.  Unfortunately that season Argyle was relegated to Npower League One after finishing in 23^rd position.  On the 5^th August 2010 Johnson joined Huddersfield Town on a season long loan with a view to a permanent deal come to the end of the season.  In December 2010 his season ended after the midfielder suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury.  However the following season after the Pilgrims were placed into administration in March 2011 Johnson joined the terriers once more on a season long loan deal.  After being released from his contract at Plymouth Argyle Damien John signed for Blue Square Conference Premier promotion winners Fleetwood Town on the 7^th July 2012.   Another player which Argyle players will be wary off is striker Jon Parkin.  The striker best known as ‘The Beast’ has played for many clubs including York City, Stoke City and Championship clubs Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Hull City.  In his first season at Fleetwood he has scored 7 goals in 14 appearences.         

John Sheridan will be aiming to name an un-changed squad that faced Bradford City at Home Park on Tuesday evening in the goalless draw.  Joe Bryan who recently signed on loan until the end of the season from championship side Bristol City will be looking to make his second appearance in a green shirt after arriving into Plymouth on Tuesday morning.  Defender Anthony Charles is rated 50-50 to be included in the 18-man squad after he had to be substituted last Saturday after he sustained a groin injury in the 2-1 defeat to Gillingham.  Whilst for Fleetwood manager Graham Alexander only has two injury concerns over Steven Gillespie and defender David Howell.  Gillespie is still recovering from a hamstring injury whilst Howell is recovering from a leg injury that he sustained in last weekend’s fixture against Exeter City.     

Available: - Jake Cole, Ollie Chenoweth, Durrell Berry, Jamie Richards, Guy Branston, Maxime Blanchard, Onismor Bhasera, Jason Banton, Paul Wotton, Conor Hourihane, Lee Cox, Luke Young, Andres Gurrieri, Joe Bryan, Paris Cowan-Hall, Ronan Murray, Jared Sims, Isaac Vassell, Nick Chadwick, Reuben Reid, Matt LeCointe, Tyler Harvey.    

Doubtful: - Rene Gilmartin (hamstring injury), Anthony Charles (groin injury), Jamie Lowry (ankle injury), Warren Feeney (ankle injury)