Pilgrims Podcast

The pod reconvenes on Boxing Day to dissect an abject performance that extinguished the brief hope sparked by a two-game revival. Groundhog Day looms large as the team debates the starting line-up, woeful defending, and a toothless attack. In Part 2, the big questions take centre stage: Is Wayne Rooney’s position becoming untenable? What about the club’s broader footballing strategy? With January...

Chris, Mark and Tom review another Home Park barnstormer. Arguably the best first half performance of the season is followed by 45 minutes of basketball craziness but, on balance, everyone is happy. There is special praise for peripheral players becoming central to a new flowing style, a balanced take on 2 points lost or one point gained. Bottom of the league, but fighting! And there is still time...

Join host Mark Lovell on the latest episode of the Pilgrims Podcast as he chats with Adrian Bevington. In this episode, we dive into the weekend’s big Championship clash between Plymouth Argyle and Middlesbrough. Adrian offers a unique perspective, having enjoyed two spells with his hometown club and boasting a remarkable 17-year career at the Football Association, including a successful stint as...

In this episode, host Mark Lovell sits down with ESPN’s senior football writer, Mark Ogden, to talk about Plymouth Argyle’s new addition—coach Mike Phelan. Mark Ogden provides unique insights into Phelan’s illustrious career, reflecting on his time at Manchester United, where Phelan played a pivotal role both on the training ground and behind the scenes. Having assisted legendary managers like Sir...

Mark, Alex and Tom discuss the fallout from a fourth successive defeat for Plymouth Argyle, this time at the hands of Michael Cooper and Sheffield United. Whilst the league table doesn't lie, Wayne Rooney and his side surprised us all with one of their best performances of the season and were unlucky to lose - leaving fans with mixed emotions and the panel dig into the component parts from the in...

This episode dives into the weekend Championship clash between Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield United. Mark and Danny discuss former Argyle goalkeeper and potential future England No. 1, Michael Cooper, who has made an impressive start with the Blades. They also touch on the circumstances surrounding his “murky” transfer. Recorded prior to Argyle’s midweek home defeat to Swansea, the conversation ex...

Sadly it’s another midweek therapy session with Chris and Mark. Desperately looking for some positives minutes after the final whistle, there is straw clutching focus on fewer goals conceded and a semblance of a shape. But there is also a sense of resignation that the performance was reflected in, if not flattered by, the result. Brief discussions on the absence of Al Hajj, the lack of attacking c...

Join host Mark Lovell on the latest Pilgrims Podcast as he chats with The Athletic’s Senior Football Writer, Stuart James. This episode dives into the midweek Championship clash between Plymouth Argyle and Swansea City. Stuart, a former Guardian & Observer journalist and ex-pro at Swindon, shares stories from his trial with Argyle in the ‘90s and reflections on the life of former Argyle goalke...

Join host Mark Lovell as he chats with football writer Rupert Fryer about the high-stakes showdown between Plymouth Argyle and Oxford United—the mother of all six-pointers. The discussion kicks off with an in-depth look at Oxford’s progressive head coach, Dessie Buckingham, and the key players to watch as the Yellows visit Home Park. The conversation also delves into Plymouth Argyle’s current form...

Archie and Tom reconvene to discuss a busy few days for Argyle, with the rumours of Rooney's possible departure causing a stir, to the blockbuster fans' forum announcing impending new investment and support for Rooney. The pair discuss the key takeaways from that evening in St Dennis and leave enough time to discuss a lacklustre FA Cup draw. Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome...

The pod is once again tasked with making sense of another woeful showing from Argyle, analysing the lineup, an okay first half, and yet another second-half collapse. Rooney’s post-match comments take center stage, from “Hardest week of my managerial career” to “Players need to show more.” But is this really down to Rooney, or are the players letting him down? The group tackles the big questions, d...

Join host Mark Lovell as he sits down with iconic football commentator Jonathan Pearce to share captivating stories from his life and career. A proud Cornishman, Pearce begins by recounting the remarkable circumstances of his birth at Freedom Fields Hospital in Plymouth. He reflects on his early years in Bristol, where his love for football blossomed alongside his passion for Bristol City. In an e...

Join host Mark Lovell as he sits down with BBC Radio Devon commentator Michael McCann to unpack Argyle’s capitulation at Carrow Road. Michael, who was on commentary duty during the match, shares his insights on the heavy defeat, Rooney’s post-match remarks and demeanour, and his take on where Argyle can go from here. Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome: https://ko-fi.com/pilgr...

Join Chris and Alex for a group therapy session as we try to make sense of another humbling away from Home Park. Were Norwich mustard, or was this performance the canary in the coal mine? We look beyond today’s performance to try and find the root of our current malaise, and all we can come up with is that it might be everything.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes BBC Radio Devon commentator Michael McCann to chew over Argyle’s trip to Carrow Road. Michael has become a regular voice on Argyle away matches, but reveals he’s not proving a particularly lucky charm. Former Norwich players Adam Forshaw and Bali Mumba come under the spotlight, with an honourable mention to our former striker Ashley Barnes. We recall Ian Foster...

Here to dissect another surreal evening at Home Park where Plymouth Argyle and Watford shared the points from a Desmond. A flat and often uninspiring performance punctuated by two world class moments of quality are the focus. Many questions that are hard to answer - did the new formation work and is there praise due for changing things up? Should we, or Rooney, now really be concerned about underl...

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes sports writer Simon Burnton from the Guardian to discuss the forthcoming Friday evening feast against Watford. Special mentions for Andre Gray and Argyle’s bitter 1984 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Elton John’s club. Any contribution towards running costs is always welcome: https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Another international break, so we dive into Argyle’s recent struggles and how they balance against last season. We discuss our predicted finish, chances of survival, and revisit the “5 Things Argyle Must Do” to assess Rooney’s progress. We also analyse January transfer rumours, provide updates on players out on loan, and consider Joe Edwards’ coaching journey during his injury recovery. Plus, a l...

Regulars Chris, Mark, and host Archie are joined by guests Michael Savage (The Guardian) and Seve to break down the latest draw, doubling our away points tally at Derby with help from the returning Randell. Dissecting the familiar defensive lapse, we also ask whether recent performances against promoted teams and relegation rivals are acceptable. The bluntness in attack, and how fringe players lik...

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes Derby County Writer Leigh Curtis from the Derby Telegraph to dissect the massive six-pointer at Pride Park. Leigh provides all the latest info on our relegation rivals and the pair discuss Wayne Rooney’s time at Derby, both as a player and manager. Former Pilgrims and current Rams defenders Curtis Nelson and Sonny Bradley are given honourable mentions, also tou...

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes football commentator supreme Ian Darke to pick apart the Dockyard Derby as Argyle edged past Pompey at Home Park. Considered among the best football commentators of his generation, Ian a lifelong Pompey fan, provides his thoughts on Argyle’s vital win against our relegation rivals. Wayne Rooney, Michael Obafemi, Paul Mariner and Norman Piper all come under the...

Is it all about the points, or should we be more concerned by another poor performance? Chris and Alex try to distract themselves from the unfolding U.S. election by discussing another late win in a genuine ‘six-pointer’ at home to Portsmouth. Against the backdrop of the team’s ongoing injury crisis, the pair manage to find some reasons for optimism, but the fragility of the squad and the recent p...

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes Portsmouth News Chief Sports Writer Neil Allen to dissect the Dockyard Derby as Plymouth Argyle host Pompey. Neil, who has written five Pompey books, provides all the latest info on our relegation rivals as the pair dive into the key match-ups for the massive six-pointer at Home Park. The intense rivalry between former bosses Derek Adams and Paul Cook also...

How do you analyse a game where one side barely plays football? The panel takes a shot, doing their best to justify a second-string Argyle side camped out in their own penalty area. The game’s context becomes a central focus, with a string of poor performances behind and two huge games looming ahead. After a quick Ko-Fi plug (link below), the panel dives deeper into Tuesday’s crucial match and the...

Join host Mark Lovell as he welcomes the Yorkshire Evening Post ’s Chief Football Writer, Graham Smyth, to unpack Plymouth Argyle's challenging Championship clash at Leeds United. Graham provides the latest insights on the title favourites, as the two journalists dive into the key match-ups at Elland Road. In particular, Wayne Rooney, Darko Gyabi, and Adam Forshaw all come under the microscope. An...