Stubborn Argyle prove a point with defensive‣ rearguard action

PLYMOUTH Argyle put in a stubborn defensive rearguard action to pick up just their third away Championship point of the season from a 0-0 draw with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

It was also only the Pilgrims' second clean sheet in 25 league games this term.

While Stoke dominated the possession and did virtually all of the attacking in the second half they were rarely able to get clean sights of goal.

When they did, goalkeeper Conior Hazard made a couple of decent saves but generally Argyle made it very difficult for the Potters to break them down as they were well set up by Kevin Nancekivell and Joe Edwards.

It was the sort of defensive-minded display that former head coach Wayne Rooney should have perhaps looked for near the end of his time at the club given Argyle's struggles on the road this season.

It was a result which ended a run of five successive away defeats and although they have still only scored three goals on their travels in 2024/25 this was a much-needed building block for them.

Ryan Hardie was absent from the Argyle squad after hurting his left shoulder during the 2-2 New Year's Day draw with Bristol City at Home Park so Michael Obafemi was up front instead.

Obafemi, the loan signing from Burnley, was the only striker available for selection after the departure of Andre Gray at the end of his shortterm contract.

Argyle had announced the club record signing of Ghana international midfielder Michael Baidoo on Friday night but his transfer was not completed in time for him to feature against Stoke.

Defender Lewis Gibson had been sold to Championship rivals Preston North End for a fee of over £1.5 million, while Mustapha Bundu Joe Edwards and Muhamed Tijani were still sidelined by injuries, so teenage trio Tegan Finn, Freddie Issaka and Caleb Roberts were all named among the substitutes.

Stoke had Argyle youth product Sam Gallagher in attack, while Ashley Phillips, who was on loan to the Pilgrims from Tottenham Hotspur in the second half of last season, lined up in defence for them.