Friday 3 May 2024

FINAL DAY DECIDER FOR ARGYLE

 For Plymouth Argyle, the brief is simple - the Pilgrims must equal or better whatever Birmingham City do in their home fixture with Norwich City when they host Hull City at Home Park on the final day of the 2023-24 campaign. 

Bottom side Rotherham United are already down and they look set to be joined by Huddersfield Town, who need a thumping win against second placed Ipswich Town to even stand a slim chance of avoiding the drop. Blackburn Rovers and Huddersfield Town, who occupy 19th and 20th place respectively with 50 points and could still go down if they fail to win their final day fixtures and Argyle and Birmingham both win. 

What both the Pilgrims and the Blues have in common is that their opponents both need points to make their postions in the top six secure. The Tigers managed by Liam Rosenior, the former Torquay United loanee and the son of ex Gulls boss Leroy, are currently in seventh place and a win could see them leapfrog West Bromwich Albion who currently occupy the final play-off spot in sixth place. 

A win over Birmingham City would seal Norwich's place in the end of season showdown, but a heavy defeat for them and convincing victory for Hull could see the Canaries miss out altogether. 

One player who could be a difference maker for Argyle is Morgan Whittaker who requires one more goal to become the first Plymouth Argyle player to net 20 league goals in a campaign since Steve Castle in the 1993-94 season.