Pilgrims Podcast

Another away day, another win. Archie, Alex and Chris are here for some midweek JOY.With all that said… this was not as glorious on the eye as some other away wins. A boxing analogy from Michael Savage sums things up nicely – scrappy, relentless and a clash of styles, but still much to like. The loss of another midfielder to another hamstring injury did not impact as many feared, and Argyle worked through the gears to grind out a convincing win. Pepple scoring again, Curtis looking increasingly like a signing for the ages, solid performances all round and mental fortitude in the face of an equaliser all feature in a satisfying, grinding three points.Part 2 takes time to pause and reflect on quite how far this team has come. On and off the field, there remains much to fix, but lots to like. Can we dream of the play-offs? Maybe we can, but more likely next year – time to play the kids or just stick with a winning formula? Thoughts turn to a huge game – and a huge crowd – for the women’s team and a free hit for the men against the best team in the division.All in all, a doom-free zone. Sort of.COYG

A joyous afternoon by the seaside — so obviously an away game — and Argyle produced a Valentine’s Day massacre of their Lancashire hosts. Alex, Chris, Mark and Tom are the lucky ones to discuss a towering performance on the coast as Tom Cleverley’s men ensured Blackpool well and truly knew they’d been tangoed.Something of a greatest hits discussion in Part One. Just desserts for the lovable Alex Mitchell, a full debut for the ages from Herbie Kane, a ballroom blitz of their box leading two injury-time goals in the opening half, and poetry for a deserved fourth after the break. It was bloomin’ brilliant stuff and yes, while Ian Evatt’s men were dreadful, it was still an illuminating win.Part 2 looks at a busy week of player movement outside the formal transfer window. Szucs leaves with best wishes; youth players heading out on loan feels sensible, financial pragmatism finally aligning with football logic. There are still challenges ahead, of course — some expensive summer signings yet to truly light up the stage — but there are clear signs of progress. Is this a good team that underperformed? A mediocre one hitting par? Or both, given the scale of change and injuries? Either way, it really was our pleasure, beaches.Belated Happy Valentine’s Day. We love you Argyle, we do. 💚

Argyle’s attempt to rectify a difficulty season was ruthlessly exposed by a competent, confident Lincoln side in a(nother) disappointing afternoon at Home Park. Tom hosts and Chris and Mark join to review a challenging, but perhaps forgivable, performance.Part 1 looks at the game itself. Was it really a strong first half performance which fell off a cliff, mirroring the last away outing? Or were the signs there earlier, with a team hurting from half a first team unavailable through injury? Huge praise for the goal, work rate and turnaround of Bim Pepple cannot disguise that his injury papered over the cracks of a team that struggled after an electric first 20 minutes. A series of horror goals and a late counter perhaps show Argyle what patience can deliver with a ruthless performance by a very good, and very large, away team. Part 2 sees some sympathy for a goalkeeper who just does not seem at the required level and debates the role of loan players over the increasingly absent youth. Home form this season and quite why it makes such a difference is reviewed, as are the upsides and downsides of being a team who seem to do everything other than finish in a boring midtable spot. The playoffs seem way off, could relegation be a factor again? The ghost of Joe Ralls is present throughout - pray for his speedy recovery and a dull couple of months…

Archie and Chris are together across time zones to discuss a 1-1 draw that felt so much better than the final result. Despite the absence of the majority of the established spine of the squad, Argyle produced an electric opening 30 minutes, including a brilliant goal, lots of chances and, sadly, an away goalkeeper in inspired form. Even the freakish equaliser just before half-time did little to suggest that the resurgence is not going to continue. A second half in which energy levels dropped and a few mistakes crept in still contained some solid performances, and a draw feels more a shame than a disaster. How far we’ve come.Part 2 turns to the behind-the-scenes day-in-the-life documentary, giving us all unprecedented access to the head coach. Timing, production and authenticity are all praised – if you haven’t seen it, highly recommended. Finally, the inevitable discussion as the window closes on what we may gain or lose concludes that we don’t really have a clue, do we? But like everything so far in 2026, that’s okay.Seven points from nine against relatively high-quality, in-form teams. Next stop, Stockport.

Jo Kinnear! Straw hats! EasyJet! Stacey Dooley! Vauxhall Corsas! Eric Morecambe! Lorraine Chase! Your guys took one hell of a beating.Alex hosts as Chris, Mark and Tom are here to discuss another win and another strong performance. No one wanted to see Joe Ralls leaving so early – let’s hope he’s back soon – but the first half maintained the intensity and creativity of recent away wins. Sorinola perhaps guilty of an extra touch, but praise for the performance and improved tactical know-how. All capped with a goal at the perfect time. GEDDON.A different test in the second half, of resilience, tactics and spirit. Rotation of players and shape, some heart in the mouth moments and some opportunities missed. And the perfect IN THE SEA moment from Galloway, charging 60 yards to win a free kick and effectively seal all three points. Oh and Hazard too. Could get used to this, as could the Head Coach with a huge moment of reciprocal respect.Part 2 looks forward, and with confidence. Debate as to what – if budget is available – would help as the window comes to an end. And a review of the ongoing redemption of Tom Cleverley at what in the ground, through the laptop or the phone as a significant human moment. What does this mean for the run-in? Top six feels more likely than bottom three, or it could be anything in between.Enjoy the ride.

Won in the pink. What a performance. It falls to Archie, Chris, Dan and Mark to deliver a doom-free review of a 6th away win in 7.In part one, a deep dive on the game. Argyle came out of the gates quickly and didn’t stop: early disappointment at a sending-off not given was a minor blip amongst fluid play, strong pressing, some excellent quality touches and a deserved goal. Special praise for the goalscorer and his partner, and for the Head Coach for a job well, and relentlessly, done.Part two broadens the conversation with a review of the batshittery of a Vertu Cup win and a discussion of the challenges that come from mixed comms, even when you are on an upward curve. And then: Bali. Yes, some struggles, but everyone is united behind a good player, a great human being, and wishing him all the best in regaining that special form in the future. Just not against us, please.A quick look forward to a huge game against Luton, with a genuine full house (including the away end) and hopes high.Bring it on.

No game, so no pod? You’re not getting off that easily. Alex, Chris and Tom use the (sadly) redundant FA Cup 3rd round weekend to sit back and take stock of some major themes at Argyle and the modern game. At least we don’t lose 10-1.The differences between sport for passion and sport for fun, use of data and the role of the modern club infrastructure tee up a review of Argyle’s background office (front office for our American listeners) at a crucial point in the season. Will the club benefit from the new hires in the back office, or is it more of the same on the horizon? Should youth take priority over league position, or when you are in fire do you just put it out? We really enjoyed this one without the pressure of a game, we hope that translates as you listen too.Before a short part two, we are proud to promote a new addition to the Argyle fan canon. We've an exert from Richard Ough's 'Argyle Stories' that looks at Shilton years. The full episode can be found on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/7LmBBm0oGhiqVDNQKvq2H7) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@ArgyleStories)Finally, back to the day job with thoughts on a new signing, an up and coming rough run of league games and, of course, a midweek trip to Bristol in the Papa Vertu Auto Windshield Cup. We’ve missed you, Argyle.If you'd like to support the pod with a contribution, please go to https://ko-fi.com/pilgrimspodcast

Here we go, here we go, here we go! Yes, a depleted Burton. Yes, we beat them 4-0 away. But lovely to finish a busy festive season with a 3-0 win. Archie, Chris and Mark are joined by guest Sam Roberts to review a winning home start to 2026.Part One, the game. Lots to like, right from the start, with a contender for goal of the season the worth of the crossbar away. A goal from a set piece, good delivery on others, and (other than one kamikaze moment at the back), it felt like we were set up for a decent second half. And decent it was, with solid performances across the pitch: more set piece goals and a penalty dispatched in the style we expect from our striker. A doom-free zone and a deserved Ralls love-in. Lovely stuff.Part Two touches on a disappointing, by no means catastrophic, defeat for the women’s team. Thoughts then turn to the squad: the departure of Law McCabe, talk of an incoming in the week, does the club stick or twist with transfers? And with two weeks until the next league game, it’s hard to predict what’s next.Except when it’s dull, it’s never dull.