Plymouth Argyle Seeks Momentum Against Blackpool

Plymouth Argyle head to the seaside this afternoon carrying something they have not always had on their travels in recent seasons: momentum.

Three wins from their last four League One outings have pushed the Pilgrims into the early mix, and they arrive at Bloomfield Road with confidence sharpened by clean sheets and late drama alike. Home Park has seen routine, ruthless work in recent weeks – a 2-0 victory over Bradford City followed by a 3-0 dismantling of Barnsley – but it was the last away day that really stiffened their belief, a wild 3-2 win at Doncaster Rovers on September 5.

Now comes the long haul north. Argyle’s second-longest trip of the campaign sends them 642 miles there and back from Plymouth to the north-west coast, a journey that underlines the scale of the club’s weekly grind in League One. Only the February trek to Bradford will take them further, and even then only by a handful of miles.

The table gives this one an extra edge. Ian Evatt’s Blackpool sit 10th, four places and two points behind Argyle, having put together an even record from their opening six games: two wins, two draws, two defeats. They have shown flashes of fluency but have yet to string together the kind of run their visitors are currently enjoying.

Last weekend summed up their frustration. Twice they went in front against Bromley at Bloomfield Road, through Albie Morgan and Tom Bloxham, and twice they let the lead slip, forced to settle for a 2-2 draw. It was a reminder of the attacking threat in Evatt’s side, but also of a soft underbelly that better teams are beginning to prod.

Argyle will look at that, look at their own recent form, and sense an opportunity. A long road, a lively seaside ground, and two sides separated by fine margins in the early standings. For a team with promotion ambitions, these are the sort of miles that have to count.