Here we go again: 24/25 season preview

How Argyle shape up for the season

Here we go again. A year after I wrote what was meant to be a rousing post at the start of our first season back in the Championship – we’re ready to do it all over again.

This time it’s “Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle” – but so much of it feels just like a year ago: a step into the unknown.

Last year I wrote with so much trepidation because I had no idea whether we could cut in in the Championship. The answer was: we could. At least with the configuration that started the season back in August 2023.

A year on, I still have no idea. Wayne Rooney’s Argyle still feel an unknown quantity.

In something of a rapid season preview (I publish this minutes before I play 7-a-side with Paul Parker on a stag do) I try and tackle some of the big questions.

The transfer window

I don’t think anyone can credibly criticise our transfer business to date – although many will try. And it’s essential to remember that there are still 20 days left. I fully expect us to be active (that means in and outgoings) right up until the final days.

We’ve signed attacking talent early, with Tijani and Cissoko both capable of getting fans out of their seats. Cissoko also adds balance to the team, and we will now carry more threat on the left with Whittaker on the right.

We’ve also added physicality, with TJ, Cissoko, Gyabi joining Bundu and Whittaker to make a formidable physical presence.

And that carries across into the defence, with new man Kornel Szucs looking a fantastic addition, joining on a permanent deal along with Victor Pálsson.

The one area we haven’t added to, and causes me jitters, is central midfield CMs. I don’t feel we have the right mix in the middle. The struggles playing through the press at Bristol Rovers outlined (to me) that we need a CM that can take the ball in, turn, run, and pass forward. The kind of midfielder that can make us tick, and also break up play. Randell, Forshaw and Houghton all possess some of these skills, but it seems the obvious addition we need to make.

But we are also bloated. There are a number of players who feel on the periphery of the squad, and would move even further back if more signings come in. So adding to the squad likely means some players moving on.

‘On Sunday we’ll see where we’re at’

“I think we’re in a good place and on Sunday we’ll see where we’re at.” That’s the words of Wayne Rooney in his pre-Wednesday press conference, and perhaps shows that until a ball is kicked in anger, no-one fully knows whether Argyle will be up to the mark this season.

If you want a reminder of the issues around Rooney’s appointment, then read OTID friend

notatroll

’s synopsis around some of the question marks on Argyle Life. I feel we’re too far down the road now to rake over these issues again (many were mentioned in my Rooney deep-dive) – but these questions will rear their head, angrily, if Argyle get off to a bad start this season. So it’s worthy of note.

There are a few concerns I have about the system Rooney looks set to play – and issues that we will have to grapple with.

We’ve looked lopsided, and with the LB inverting, and it means the RB tends to tuck in. That means no-one running past Whittaker, which somewhat reduces his threat.

We’ve also looked vulnerable down our left. The two CMs need to do a lot of defensive work – and also make us tick going forward. Using our best two midfielders – in my opinion Randell and Gyabi – makes me worry about the level of defensive cover they can provide. I think Forshaw can do that, but does he have the fitness?

Season expectations

I’m sure I’m not alone in having few expectations for the season. Mere survival would be enough for me, comfortable survival a far off dream. It’s a shame that we’ve had to endure the turmoil since January, as I think we could have looked up the table had we had a more settled transition.

What worries me is the effect of a bad start. For all the good feeling around the club, confidence will be fragile – both inside and outside.

Sheffield Wednesday had a fantastic end to the season, and have had a good window. There’s a lot of pundits getting very excited about another season under Danny Röhl (a little OTT if you ask me.) A loss at Hillsborough on the first day would not be the end of the world – I think it’s more important to see a performance. Looking lightyears apart, getting cut open at will, or being unable to play out (all themes at times during pre-season), would be cause for panic – it’s important we start strong.

But who will make the starting XI?

There are a number of headaches for Rooney. It seems he prefers Tijani as the main striker, but Hardie has been scoring throughout pre-season. The natural answer would be to play both – but Rooney prefers a striker paired with a second striker in his 4-4-2, who plays slightly deeper (a bit like a 4-2-3-1).

Hardie and TJ have not figured together in pre-season, but the big man/little(r) man pairing feels like an option. In the end, getting two dangermen on the pitch at the same time feels like a good idea? Rooney eluded to that in an interview with Plymouth Live:

Whittaker, Cissoko, Ogbeta and Gibson all feel nailed on.

But there are fitness issues around Randell and Gyabi. So part of the these early games will be who will be fit, especially in the CM roles.

Then there’s the Michael Cooper situation. The comments from Rooney in the press conference (below) were… inflammatory. I’ve been consistent that we should cash in on Michael Cooper, given that he’s rejected a new deal and wants to move on. And in my eyes, that makes Hazard the de facto number one.

The OTID starting XI for Sheffield Wednesday

I would actually start Szucs in the RB role after Rooney’s comments that he was not only up-to-speed from pre-season, but had played a game for his former club. But his name wasn’t part of the squad builder database (the mark of a top signing) so I’ve gone with Palsson in that role.

I also start Hazard given Wazza’s comments on Cooper, and his performance at Rovers which paint a less than favourable picture.

I also choose our two most dangerous forwards starting together – but freely admit it is likely to be one or the other. But hey, that’s why I don’t pick the team.

Agree? Disagree? Lost all respect for the newsletter? Let me know below. 👇