Again, apologies for not posting an articile last week - it was due to the confusion over the weather and whether the game would be postponed. However, I will again this week be running the LIVE SCOREBOARD, plus check out the new entry in PLAYER PROFILES. It's Akos Buzsaky, whose exploits with the Pilgrims in 2005 has seen him rise to 15th in his country's Player of the Year rankings. Well Done Akos!
Remember, this Sunday is the most important day in the football calendar - F.A. Cup 3rd Round Draw. Log on to 'Argyle Mad' afterward for the reaction from the terraces.
#5 Coventry City v ARGYLE
- Benedict Akwuegbu
- In The Wars
BENEDICT AKWUEGBU
This week, the club announced that Nigerian international striker Benedict Akwuegbu has completed a trial period at Home Park. The 31-year-old was the trialist, initally unnamed, who appeared as a substitute in the reserves' 5-4 defeat to Bristol Rovers earlier in the week. Akwuegbu featured heavily in Nigeria's efforts at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea, where the Africans were drawn in England's group. After being given 30 minutes to impress, it is believed that the former St Gallen and Lens forward did not do enough to convince Argyle to pursue their interest further. He has returned to Austria, where he is currently contracted to Wacker Tirol.
IN THE WARS
Another 7-day break and Tony Pulis saw it as the perfect opportunity to take his lads boxing again. After their defeat to Reading, plus with two new faces in Elliott Ward and Jason Jarrett, some team-bonding and more intense fitness training were in order - under the watchful eye of Scott Dann for the second time in a month. In the build-up to Argyle's first visit to newly-built Ricoh Arena, some key players have been rated doubtful with knocks and small injuries. Full-back Anthony Barness is hamstrung and could well be missing from this afternoon's line-up. Unfortunately, Pulis' other option at right back is Paul Connolly, who missed last weekend's game against table-toppers Reading with a thigh injury. instead of training, Connolly has been sat on the sidelines with Akos Buzsaky, a third doubt for today's encounter with the abdominal injury that has plagued his recent progess. The Hungarian International suffered a recurrence of his abdominal strain and was replaced by Bojan Djordjic, who is the fourth player to be receiving treatment although he definitely will not be travelling to the Midlands. The Serb was involved in the midweek reserve match, where he sustained an unfortunate hamstring injury. "He won't be available for Saturday", Tony Pulis told the club website, "although it's not as serious as we first thought". We have been running a voting poll this week as to who deserves a chance in the Greens' starting XI. Matt Derbyshire was a clear winner (33.3%), and will be the next Player Profile to be added. However, seeing as the injury concerns lie in defence and midfield, players like Keith Lasley (16.7%) will be hoping to continue his fight for a place at Home Park under new management. Also, Marcus Martin (8.3%) could be in with a chance. Argyle have injury troubles at right-back, where Martin played in Tuesday night's reserve side. The Torbay-born youngster has yet to feature in the league this season following his successful season with Exeter last year.