Having won their last three league encounters, Torquay United travel to Macclesfield Town just one solitary point outside the League Two Play-Off zone.
The Gulls started this sequence with a 2-0 win over Stevenage, which they followed up a 5-0 win over fellow Play-Off hopefuls Shrewsbury Town, a game that saw Torquay loanee Jake Robinson net a brace against his parent club.
If that looked impressive enough, the Gulls further underlined their credentials by beating second placed Bury 2-1 at Gigg Lane. After trailing to an early strike from Chris Holroyd, Paul Buckle's side struck back with goals from Craig Stanley and Chris Zebroski to come away from Greater Manchester with maximum points.
That result means that the Gulls are now very much in the promotion picture and they are still due to face Port Vale, Wycombe Wanderers, leaders Chesterfield and Rotherham United.
At the time of writing, Torquay are one point behind 7th placed Port Vale, two points behind fourth place Rotherham , six points behind third placed Wycombe and seven points behind Bury in second place.
The last time the Gulls won promotion from League Two, or Division Three as it was known then, in 2004 under Leroy Rosenior, they did so after winning four of their final five league games of the 2003-04 campaign.
If a run resembling the one that the Plainmoor class of 2004 managed in the end of the season run-in was replicated by Paul Buckle's Gulls in 2011, it could see them finish the 2010-11 League Two campaign in a similar manner.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Thursday, 17 March 2011
ARGYLE STAFF GIVEN PAY ULTIMATUM
It was supposed to be a day when the new owners of Plymouth Argyle football club were unveiled to the public.
However, the saga at Home Park took another turn when it was revealed that the club's playing and non-playing staff were informed that they would be required to defer their salaries or see the club close.
The announcement was made after the club's potential buyers failed to agree to fund wages and costs until the end of the season.
Despite this revelation, talks between the club's administrators and the interested parties are still ongoing.
However, the saga at Home Park took another turn when it was revealed that the club's playing and non-playing staff were informed that they would be required to defer their salaries or see the club close.
The announcement was made after the club's potential buyers failed to agree to fund wages and costs until the end of the season.
Despite this revelation, talks between the club's administrators and the interested parties are still ongoing.
TALKING YEOVIL #15
Following negotiations with the duo, Yeovil Town have announced that manager Terry Skiverton and assistant manager Nathan Jones have put pen to paper on new two-and-a-half year deals that will keep the pair at Huish Park until the year 2014.
Since taking over from Russell Slade in February 2009, Skivo has overseen 100 matches in charge at Huish Park during which time the Glovers have maintained their League One status and enjoyed a level of stability in a climate that has seen many clubs struggle financially.
Skivo has proved to be a shrewd investor in the loan market and he has been able to bring players such as Steven Caulker, Ryan Mason, Jon Obika, Alex McCarthy, Shaun MacDonald, Max Ehmer and Oli Johnson to Yeovil on temporary deals in the past two seasons.
During the current campaign, he has unearthed a few promising permanent signings including Luke Ayling, Paul Huntington, who won the Npower Player of the Month award for January 2011, Ed Upson, Paul Wotton and the experienced Alex Russell who was plucked from Blue Square Premier side Bath City in January.
News of the pair signing their new contracts was followed by the announcement that Jon Obika and Shaun MacDonald would be returning on loan to Huish Park for the third and fifth times respectively.
Skivo has also suggested that he would like to bring MacDonald to Yeovil from his parent club, Swansea City, on a permanent basis. As the young Welshmen has one year to run on his current deal at the Liberty Stadium it will be interesting to see what developments are made on that front.
Since taking over from Russell Slade in February 2009, Skivo has overseen 100 matches in charge at Huish Park during which time the Glovers have maintained their League One status and enjoyed a level of stability in a climate that has seen many clubs struggle financially.
Skivo has proved to be a shrewd investor in the loan market and he has been able to bring players such as Steven Caulker, Ryan Mason, Jon Obika, Alex McCarthy, Shaun MacDonald, Max Ehmer and Oli Johnson to Yeovil on temporary deals in the past two seasons.
During the current campaign, he has unearthed a few promising permanent signings including Luke Ayling, Paul Huntington, who won the Npower Player of the Month award for January 2011, Ed Upson, Paul Wotton and the experienced Alex Russell who was plucked from Blue Square Premier side Bath City in January.
News of the pair signing their new contracts was followed by the announcement that Jon Obika and Shaun MacDonald would be returning on loan to Huish Park for the third and fifth times respectively.
Skivo has also suggested that he would like to bring MacDonald to Yeovil from his parent club, Swansea City, on a permanent basis. As the young Welshmen has one year to run on his current deal at the Liberty Stadium it will be interesting to see what developments are made on that front.
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
SMOKIN' JOE
As Plymouth Argyle stand on the brink of a new era, as takeover talks for the ownership of the club near the brink of conclusion, we take a closer look at a player who could have a big impact for the Pilgrims in the years to come.
Many young wannabe footballers grow up with the dream of playing for the home town club before going on to achieve hero status amongst the fans.
For Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason that dream has been realised, and he is still yet to celebrate his 20th birthday.
Since making his debut at home to Sheffield United last season, Joe became selected more frequently by the Pilgrims' then manager Paul Mariner.
The young Pilgrim continued to progress following the appointment of Peter Reid last summer and, following the sale of Bradley Wright-Phillips to Charlton Athletic, he is currently Argyle's leading scorer with seven goals to his name.
Peter Reid breathed a sigh of relief when the youngster turned down a potential £200,000 move to Swindon Town during the January transfer window.
After snubbing the Robins, Joe revealed his desire to help the Pilgrims out of their current plight, which was seen them placed deep in the League One relegation following a ten-point deduction for going into Administration.
Joe has also received international recognition from the Republic of Ireland, whom he qualifies to play for through his grandmother, at Under-21 level. He has received two caps to date and was recently named in their squad for their upcoming friendly against Portugal.
During the current campaign, he has been joined in the Argyle squad by fellow youth team products Curtis Nelson and Jack Stephens, which will hopefully give Peter Reid a nucleus of young talent to work with once the 2010-11 season is out of the way.
Many young wannabe footballers grow up with the dream of playing for the home town club before going on to achieve hero status amongst the fans.
For Plymouth Argyle striker Joe Mason that dream has been realised, and he is still yet to celebrate his 20th birthday.
Since making his debut at home to Sheffield United last season, Joe became selected more frequently by the Pilgrims' then manager Paul Mariner.
The young Pilgrim continued to progress following the appointment of Peter Reid last summer and, following the sale of Bradley Wright-Phillips to Charlton Athletic, he is currently Argyle's leading scorer with seven goals to his name.
Peter Reid breathed a sigh of relief when the youngster turned down a potential £200,000 move to Swindon Town during the January transfer window.
After snubbing the Robins, Joe revealed his desire to help the Pilgrims out of their current plight, which was seen them placed deep in the League One relegation following a ten-point deduction for going into Administration.
Joe has also received international recognition from the Republic of Ireland, whom he qualifies to play for through his grandmother, at Under-21 level. He has received two caps to date and was recently named in their squad for their upcoming friendly against Portugal.
During the current campaign, he has been joined in the Argyle squad by fellow youth team products Curtis Nelson and Jack Stephens, which will hopefully give Peter Reid a nucleus of young talent to work with once the 2010-11 season is out of the way.
Monday, 14 March 2011
JAKE HELPS TORQUAY TO TAME THE SHREWS
Torquay United loanee Jake Robinson was a talismanic figure for the Gulls in their 5-0 win at the weekend against his parent club Shrewsbury Town at Plainmoor.
Robinson scored Torquay's second of the game from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after debutant Gavin Tomlin opened the scoring for the Gulls after five minutes. Robinson struck again in the 56th minute with a stunning solo effort before Chris Zebroski and an own goal from Shrews skipper Ian Sharps completed the scoring.
His brace against Shrewsbury takes Jake's tally for the Gulls up to five, which includes the goal he scored against Hereford United on his debut when it was later revealed that he hadn't been registered in time to be available for selection.
Robinson scored Torquay's second of the game from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after debutant Gavin Tomlin opened the scoring for the Gulls after five minutes. Robinson struck again in the 56th minute with a stunning solo effort before Chris Zebroski and an own goal from Shrews skipper Ian Sharps completed the scoring.
His brace against Shrewsbury takes Jake's tally for the Gulls up to five, which includes the goal he scored against Hereford United on his debut when it was later revealed that he hadn't been registered in time to be available for selection.
ARGYLE BIDS ARE IN
Plymouth Argyle administrator Brendan Guilfoyle has received a number of bids for the Pilgrims after the deadline for receiving bids passed at noon on Monday 14th March 2011.
Guilfoyle has also announced that he will choose his preferred bidder who take over Argyle, who are currently four points from League One safety after receiving a ten point deduction for entering administration, on Thursday.
Many Pilgrims followers will be pleased to know that the group connected with former directors Sir Roy Gardner and Keith Todd, Affinity Sports Finance, have pulled out of the running for control of Argyle.
Once the winning bid has been announced, it should enable manager Peter Reid to strengthen his squad with a few loan signings ahead of the closing of the loan deadline a week on Friday after he had been prevented from doing so by a transfer embargo imposed on the Pilgrims since last December.
Guilfoyle has also announced that he will choose his preferred bidder who take over Argyle, who are currently four points from League One safety after receiving a ten point deduction for entering administration, on Thursday.
Many Pilgrims followers will be pleased to know that the group connected with former directors Sir Roy Gardner and Keith Todd, Affinity Sports Finance, have pulled out of the running for control of Argyle.
Once the winning bid has been announced, it should enable manager Peter Reid to strengthen his squad with a few loan signings ahead of the closing of the loan deadline a week on Friday after he had been prevented from doing so by a transfer embargo imposed on the Pilgrims since last December.
Friday, 11 March 2011
FRIENDS REUNITED
Tomorrow's clash between Torquay United and Shrewsbury Town will see two players go head to head with their former team-mates.
Former Gulls midfielder Nicky Wroe, who spent two and a half years at Plainmoor before joining the Shrews in January, will be lining up against his former colleagues as will Jake Robinson, who moved in the opposite direction to sign for Torquay on loan until the end of the season.
Gulls boss Paul Buckle has the blessing of Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner to select Robinson in the Torquay squad as no clause was inserted in the deal preventing him from lining up against the Shrews.
With both sides in the hunt for a Play-Off spot it promises to be a very competitive encounter and the two players could well have a big say on its outcome.
Former Gulls midfielder Nicky Wroe, who spent two and a half years at Plainmoor before joining the Shrews in January, will be lining up against his former colleagues as will Jake Robinson, who moved in the opposite direction to sign for Torquay on loan until the end of the season.
Gulls boss Paul Buckle has the blessing of Shrewsbury manager Graham Turner to select Robinson in the Torquay squad as no clause was inserted in the deal preventing him from lining up against the Shrews.
With both sides in the hunt for a Play-Off spot it promises to be a very competitive encounter and the two players could well have a big say on its outcome.
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