On a magnificent run of eight games undefeated, including six wins, with five of those wins coming in our last five games, optimism could be perceived to be very high indeed. Our visit to the Kassam Stadium (Home of Oxford United), on what was the first chilly night of the season, provided on paper what was our sternest test of the campaign to date. The U's have been impressive this term, sitting third in the league, and have acquired former West Brom academy product Kemar Roofe, the leading light in an attacking side. Oxford also boast former Everton youth product John Lundstrum, as well as ex Scunthorpe stopper Sam Slocombe and tricky former Burton winger Alex MacDonald. Argyle came into the game without Reuben Reid, who was still nursing an Achilles injury picked up against Accrington on Saturday. In more positive news was the return of Graham Carey to the starting line up with the Green Army notably missing his industry and technique on Saturday. The loss of Reid meant a slight change of positioning for the regular personnel. Jake Jervis was tested in the lone striker role, with Carey taking up the right wing berth and Josh Simpson filling in behind Jervis. Hiram Boateng and Carl McHugh providing the usual midfield cover with Gregg Wylde on the left wing and an unchanged back four.
The match got underway and Argyle started well. There was a tenacity missing from Saturday's match at Home Park and a far more pressing approach. Derek Adams had no doubt relayed the importance of this to the side upon coming to visit an in form Oxford side. With Kelvin Mellor bombing down the right, the first chance came. A fast ball into the feet of Jervis, and he provided a first time lay off into the path of the on rushing Simpson. He burst into the U's box and fired a right footed effort across goal from the right hand side. The shot flew past the outstretched hand of Slocombe but also whistled past the post. For the opening fifteen minutes the Green Army were on top and the travelling support were in full voice. However, much has been a fixture of our form this season, the tide was soon to turn. Oxford woke up from their laboured start and started to execute their slick passing and neat touches that has carried them well this campaign. Roofe was beginning to dominate midfield and it was from his vision that the U's opening effort came. After gliding past Gary Sawyer, he fed in MacDonald on the right hand side of the box. MacDonald stepped inside of Curtis Nelson and fired a shot across Luke McCormick but just wide. This effort was perhaps a warning of what was to come, as barely a minute later the opening goal was almost scored. Roofe again picked up the ball in midfield before threading the ball through to Ryan Taylor. His clever flick set up MacDonald and he shaped a beautiful first time effort across the beaten McCormick, but fortunately for Argyle, back off the inside of the post and away. Carey gave the Green Army a little bit of respite when he finally managed to cut inside of Joe Skarz and fire a left effort on target but straight down Slocombe's midriff. But it was quickly back to business as usual for Oxford. The Green Army were struggling without Reid's presence, and with every long ball the defender was consistently getting in front of Jervis to mount yet another U's attack. With Carey's work rate and craft isolated out on the right, there was no out ball for the Argyle defence. It came as little surprise when Oxford had their next big opening. More clever passing on the edge of box freed Taylor and when he dinked the ball over the oncoming McCormick, the Green Army faithful held their breath awaiting to see the net to bulge. Again the post saved Argyle! This time it was McCormick's near post, before Nelson hacked away. It seemed only a matter of time before Oxford scored and just two minutes later the inevitable happened. U's right back George Baldock played a neat one two with Danny Hylton, giving him space on the right hand side. Taking it to the by line, he pulled it back perfectly for Liam Sercombe who placed it accurately in the bottom right corner for 1-0! Being a former Grecian player also added to the Green Army pain! Oxford then seemed to slow proceedings down for the remainder of the half and when referee Rob Lewis blew for half time, the U's went in very good value for their one goal lead!
During the half time break, the general feeling was that Argyle were very fortunate to only be a goal behind, and much like Saturday, we could maybe get a result when we perhaps didn't fully deserve it in the second half. With the first half performance in mind, changes were expected of the usually bold Adams. However these changes weren't forthcoming, and it left the Green Army fans somewhat perplexed. Perhaps Adams had given a stirring team talk and indeed there was an improved performance beginning to show. Oxford seemed to retreat somewhat and McHugh and Mellor were pushing the rest of the team forward. A corner won on the right almost brought about an Argyle equaliser. The ever reliable Carey whipped in a left footed in swinger that caused panic and a scramble in the U's box. After a few obligatory bounces the ball somehow managed to be cleared away. Carey not put off however started to dictate play more, ably assisted by McHugh's retrieval play. There was heavy pressure from the boys in Green (Or purple on the night!), but Oxford defended adeptly, blocking two Carey effort and clearing a number of Wylde crosses. When Carey won a free kick just outside the right side of the U's box there was anticipation and expectation from the Argyle backing. Carey stepped up himself but sent the ball just wide and over. That proved the last chance of note for the Green Army for the evening, and with Argyle pushing forward, spaces began to appear. From one of these counters a Baldock cross was met by a right footed effort from MacDonald that was well saved by McCormick with his legs. Craig Tanner came on to replace to Wylde, and for the last few minutes Ryan Brunt came on in place to Jervis. The equaliser wasn't forthcoming and indeed it was Oxford who nearly doubled their lead. Another corner was floated in by Lundstrum, and was this time met by a powerful Johnny Mullins header. McCormick again made a great save tipping the ball onto the crossbar and away. One final breakaway from the U's lead to the final chance, and when Oxford substitute Patrick Hoban was played in on the left it looked like a deserved second goal was coming. But yet again McCormick was equal to his low right footed drive. McCormick played the ball forward but time had run out. The final whistle was blown and in defeat the Green Army could have no excuses.
So in conclusion what does this defeat tell us? Well again I think a number of things. Based on our first half showing, Jervis is no central striker. Certainly not one that can hold up play and bring the wingers into action, which is a key facet of the Adams approach. Also, that Carey is wasted on the right wing and how much having this balance right brings to our team. On a positive, yet again there was a good, if not spectacular second half performance. McCormick put more gloss on the final result than was perhaps deserved but the team defended better as a whole than against Accrington. There has been criticism of Reid in recent weeks and it is perhaps unjust based on tonight's result. He may seem laboured and lackadaisical in his approach at times, but that moment of quality was the difference against both Notts County and Accrington, and in effect was severely lacking tonight. In fairness though, for me Oxford are the one of the best in the division and play a great free flowing passing game. I mentioned on the Green and White podcast that if we managed six points from the three matches against Accrington Stanley, Oxford United and Luton Town respectively, then we would have done very well. We are still on course for that and I have every faith in a positive result against the Hatters when Saturday comes!
Best Player - Carl McHugh
Attendance - 7007 (982 Argyle)
Next Game - 24/10/2015 Luton Town (a) (League 2)
As always each match report is featured with our Match Day fan feature, which is a short Q and A about Argyle related fodder and something that I hope to do for every match day. If you would like to be featured please feel free to email me at
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Today's fan is 19 year old Zak Brown from Plymouth
How long have you been an Argyle fan for? 'I've been an Argyle fan since the age of 8'
What's your earliest PAFC memory? 'My first game with my dad and my brother. We beat Stoke City 2-1 that day'
Favourite ever Argyle match and why? 'There has been a lot but it would probably be Rochdale away. Simply as it meant we stayed in the Football League, and I will never forget the celebrations after that one!'
Best all time Argyle player? 'It has to be Paul Wotton'
Best current Argyle player? 'Graham Carey. Simply because every time he gets the ball you just think something is going to happen.
General feeling around Derek Adams' performance so far? 'Adams has brought the best football I have seen for a long time. It's exciting the way we attack teams! It is just edge of your seat stuff!'
Season Prediction? 'I think we will finish in the automatic promotion positions'
Prediction for our next match away to Luton Town? 'I'm going for a 2-0 win to Argyle. The reason being that I think there will be a reaction from the lads to the defeat at Oxford!'
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