Argyle's away day woes continue with another heavy hammering

PLYMOUTH Argyle suffered a humiliating 6-1 defeat by Norwich City at Carrow Road after a totally inept defensive display. Even by the low standards the Pilgrims have set on their travels in the Championship this season, which has seen them heavily beaten at Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City and Leeds United, this was an absolute shocker from Wayne Rooney's side.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

Borja Sainz, the Championship's top scorer, netted twice for Norwich in the opening 17 minutes but despite dominating the first half the home side only took a 2-1 lead into the break after Mustapha Bundu replied for the Pilgrims with a fine 39th minute finish. However, the Canaries were much more clinical in the second period as they added four more goals from Shane Duffy, Saiz to complete his hat-trick, Anis Slimane and Ante Crnac as the Pilgrims were torn apart, and far too easily.

You had to feel sorry for the 1,461 Argyle fans who had to witness the embarrassment and it was no wonder there were jeers and cries of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt' aimed at the players after the final whistle. The Pilgrims have now lost seven of their nine away league games this term, and drawn the other two, while conceding 23 goals and scoring just three.

Argyle were without Morgan Whittaker after he had to be substituted during the 2-2 draw with Watford at Home Park last Friday due to a toe injury. Rooney's starting line-up showed three changes from that game as Bundu, Victor Palsson and Callum Wright all came into the team. Lewis Gibson and Michael Obafemi dropped to the bench as Whittaker was ruled out.

With Gibson named among the substitutes, midfielder Adam Randell took over the captain's armband, just as he had done in the Pilgrims' previous away game, a 1-1 draw at Derby County on November 9.

Two former Norwich players were part of the Argyle squad as Bali Mumba started at left wing-back while midfielder Adam Forshaw was on the bench. With Jordan Houghton and Ryan Hardie both absentees from the squad, added to long-term injury victims Ibrahim Cissoko, Joe Edwards and Muhamed Tijani, the substitutes included teenage trio Freddie Issaka, Caleb Roberts and 16-year-old Tegan Finn.