Argyle v Rotherham: We will never make things easy

Scroll to the end for the Argyle Xmas do fancy dress photo

Welcome back to One Team In Devon, after another heroic last-gasp winner at home to Rotherham.

It was a must-win – the alternative could have been quite destructive. And even staring down the barrel of an unjust draw, a single point felt like an aching disappointment.

But a piece of magic from Azaz and Whittaker bagged all three points, against one of the filthiest teams to visit Home Park in memory.

Here are the talking points:

Rotherham got what they deserved

Credit: Argyle Voodoo

The great irony is that Rotherham looked like a capable and dangerous team at 0-0. They were good value for their lead, helped by some passive Argyle defending.

Rotherham could have been 2-0 or even 3-0 up – before they started their antics.

They sent Hardie and Bundu to Derriford within a minute of each other and picked up a slew of yellow cards for reckless and cynical challenges.

The Hardie injury could have been a penalty and red card, as he was cleaned out from behind in a challenge that was dangerous and out of control – and he looked unconscious as his head hit the floor, likely resulting in a second injury. 

The next on Bundu, just 35 seconds later, was another reckless studs-up challenge that caused a gash on his leg that saw him treated at Derriford. That earned a yellow card.

The result was to rile up a lacklustre and nervy Home Park atmosphere, which in turn led to an uptick in Argyle quality and desire.

The penalty awarded in the 13 minutes of stoppage time was soft in comparison to the Hardie incident but seemed like an act of rebalancing by Gavin Ward.

But that didn’t stop Ayala from handling the ball to stop an Argyle counter, as the Millers threw in the towel.

Had Rotherham kept their heads they could have left Home Park with maximum points. Deservedly, they left with nothing.

More seriously wet defending

We’ll get onto the heroics shortly, but I thought I’d seen it all when it comes to Argyle defensive calamities this season – yet they still managed to surprise me.

After the rear-guard masterclass at QPR, Argyle managed to be completely passive for the first goal, with Gibson and Miller failing to clear during a fairly innocuous build-up.

But that was nothing compared to conceding an equaliser against 10 men, which took a special level of wetness I hadn’t expected.

Argyle had been enjoying a never-ending spell of sterile possession against 10-man Millers, as we glacially moved the ball from flank to flank.

When Rotherham broke with the ball they surged forward with impetus and numbers. And a series of simple defensive failures led to what seemed an inevitable goal.

It’s incredible that we can find these moments even when we have a huge advantage. But luckily, we have something special at the other end of the pitch.

Taking something special

For the second time, Rotherham had poked the bear. Waves of Argyle attack ensued and Azaz hit the bar and Mumba should have scored with a one-on-one. We won constant corners, but it took something special to open Rotherham up.

The ball fell to Whittaker, who had been taking up positions on the right touchline for most of the last 20 minutes, although often was ignored as we persevered attacking down the left via Mumba and Galloway.

The situation was begging for a system change – perhaps a 3-4-3 – with the wingbacks kept high against the 10-men opposition – and pushing Whittaker closer to the action zone.

While Schuey was keen to switch from system to system against Millwall, there wasn’t a wholesale change in shape.

As it was, he took matters into his own hands, with a surging run after a one-two with Azaz, who capped a terrific performance with a deft ball over the top, and the game was won.

It was the moment of creativity that was needed, by the only two players on the field that could manage it. It was the moment that QPR couldn’t muster against us on Wednesday. And it’s the difference that huge talents like Azaz and Whittaker allow us.

The celebration was a real moment of togetherness – with every outfield player in a heap in the corner.

It was brilliant, beautiful, morally correct, and for once we got what we deserved.

We make it hard for ourselves, and I ask this Christmas: can we please just have one normal game?

The Galloway effect

A really interesting stat we saw this week was that Argyle have only lost one game in which Galloway has made the starting line-up.

Of his 27 starts, Argyle have only lost one. And in that game (against Wycombe who else?) Galloway was subbed after sustaining a knee injury.

His record shows what a quality player he is when fit, and I feel that this run of games will be pivotal for his Argyle future.

This photo from the Argyle Christmas party

With a week between the Rotherham and Birmingham games, it makes a perfect window to have the annual Christmas celebrations. So the first team was seen on social media, on a night out in London, arriving into Paddington in fancy dress.

Big shoutouts to Dan Scarr the air hostess, Houghton as Thelma, and Randell as Gareth Ainsworth (I stole this joke).