Players
Transfer Deadline Day has passed as spending in this window has exceeded a record £1 billion mark, as Argyle yesterday announced their last signing of the summer as striker Paul-Arnold Garita joined on loan until the New Year from Championship side Bristol City, Cameroon-born Garita signed for City at the beginning of the year from Chateauroux for £50,000. He had featured heavily for their under 21 side and was a 66th minute sub in their game against Wycombe in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday Evening.
Following on from Argyle’s 4-1 win against Newport on Tuesday in the cup, Adams will possibly look to recall his ever present first teamers; Luke McCormick, Graham Carey, Oscar Threlkeld, who were either left out of the squad or dropped to the subs bench, although the manager made seven changes for that game. Left back Gary Sawyer, still remains a doubt following an incident at Blackpool where he was subbed at half time.
Cheltenham have made an immediate return to League Two after being relegated in 2014/15 and have started the current campaign with two wins and three draws and sit in a comfortable position in the League. A few players to take note of in the Robins line up are; Dan Holman and Danny Wright who were joint top goal scorers for Town in their promotion campaign last season with 16 goals each. Another player to take note of is Asa Hall who plays as a midfielder.
Management
Cheltenham Town manager Gary Johnson, was named the Robins boss with the club bottom of League Two, failing to avoid relegation the 60 year old had extended his contract to the end of this campaign. Gary Johnson has seen his managerial career span nineteen years and ten clubs. His most successful stint in charge came in 2001 when he was named Yeovil Town manager, from this he oversaw 211 games until 2005 in which 116 were wins, 46 draws and 59 loses, making him have a win percentage of 52.49%. From his time at the Glovers, he guided them to; FA Trophy in 2002, Football Conference winners: 2002–03, Football League Two winners: 2004–05, Football League One Play-off final winners: 2012–13.
Tactics
Derek Adams, on Tuesday evening preferred to play a 4-2-3-1 formation, as Adams stated “We were outstanding from start to finish, it was total dominance from us”, although making changes to the team. There were notable frustrations in midweek from some fans due to the lack of direct play by Adams side. However it must be understood that Adams men were much fitter in the final quarter of the game, as a result of ‘making the ball do the work’.
Opposition Tactics
In Cheltenham’s previous games with Blackpool and Crewe respectively they have preferred to play a 4-4-2 formation, a standard formation which allows general versatile position changing throughout the game. If Argyle would like to carry on their winning streak they will have to be wary of two tactics which have been vital in Cheltenham’s success this season. The first is the movement of play, through brief analysis of the Robins this season, it is clear they like to get the ball from defence to attacks on the ground as quick as possible. This allows their prolific attackers the service they require. The second tactic being their use of short corners, again another use of quick play. Both these tactics will come into play when they face Argyle on Saturday.
Head to Head
Following Cheltenham’s promotion from Conference National at the end of last season, the rivalry resumes between the sides. Argyle and Cheltenham have faced each other nineteen times with the first meeting taking place on 23rd November 2000, in League Division Three, the Robins came out 2-0 winners.
The last time the sides met was in League Two on 28th March 2015, at Whaddon Road, Argyle came out 3-0 winners, as Reuben Reid (2) and Zak Ansah scored the goals for the Pilgrims. Cheltenham last visited Plymouth on 25th October 2014, Argyle came out 3-0 winners on this occasion too, with Reuben Reid, Peter Hartley and Lewis Alessandra scoring the goals.
