Pilgrims Podcast

In this episode of the Pilgrims Podcast, host Mark Lovell is once again joined by Plymouth Argyle Director of Football Derek Adams for a wide-ranging and lively World Cup special.Derek and Mark look ahead to Scotland’s huge test against Brazil in Miami and it promises to be a proper examination in stifling heat. Conditions, tactics, and mentality all come under the duo’s spotlight. Can Scotland stay in the game long enough to cause a shock, or will Brazil’s quality (Neymar?) tell in the end? Derek breaks it all down in detail. Defensive structure, game management, and what it might take to survive against elite opposition on the biggest stage. Liverpool away at Anfield anybody?There’s also plenty of focus on England’s impressive start under Thomas Tuchel, with praise for their tactical flexibility, squad depth, and the way the Three Lions dismantled Croatia in their opener.Beyond the matches, the discussion goes deeper into modern coaching. How in-game decisions are made, how systems evolve mid-match, and what separates good tournament teams from great ones. Derek also reflects on his transition into his role at Plymouth Argyle, offering insight into life behind the scenes as DOF.Packed with analysis, big opinions, and a touch of nostalgia for World Cup moments gone by (without hydration breaks). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you thought the last game was weird, what did you make of this one? On paper a comfortable win; on viewing and reviewing, at least two of the points feel a little stolen. Tom is joined by Alex and Chris to discuss.A midfield-less first half hour leads to sustained pressure and a high-quality Doncaster opener. But this is a different side to the Argyle that melted under pressure in 2025, and an equaliser from nothing almost provided a platform for a half-time lead. Credit to the flexibility of some senior players, the manager for the tactical changes, and of course to the irrepressible Bim Pepple for another goal and another stellar performance. Even a saved penalty doesn’t feel as TYPICAL as it once did, and the traditional 60-minute substitutions really worked and started to turn the screw. A lucky goal or a perfect delivery, but either way a fit (or less injured) Kane, a confident Dale and a reshuffle: eventually 2-1 felt like a fair result.Part Two starts with more kudos for the women’s team, with some huge six-pointers and a cup final coming up. And a huge run of games for the men, with Wigan preceding some massive six-pointers that could make or break a late play-off push. And – a quiz! It’s been a while. Great to be in an environment that doesn’t feel like laughing at a funeral.COYG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Great result in the week, can they follow it up at home? Oh yes they can! Archie, Chris, James and Seve have the pleasure of discussing a performance for the ages against a very strong Cardiff team.The game. It started quickly and didn’t relent from there. A chance created from nothing early on set the tone, and even a Watts sitter going straight at the goalkeeper didn’t quell a constant flow of opportunities for both teams. A great move and a fantastic finish from Tolaj, Pepple with a second, set up a crazy run of goals where every attack from both teams resulted in a finish. 3–2 at half-time and it could have been more. Things slowed down a little in the second half but, as in the week, the further the game went on, the more Argyle dominated. Two set-pieces, a perfect penalty and, who would have thought we’d be saying this, Ross unplayable from a perfect corner. Perfect is the word. What a day for those home fans who have not had the best of seasons.Part 2 and talk of two potential games at Wembley does start to feel possible. Momentum, positivity and team spirit really seem to matter, and even the most negative grinch is excited for a quarter-final at Luton in the AutoWindscreensPizzaTu Cup. And a huge shout-out to Argyle Women for a nervy (in a great way) win.What a week. COYG Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. 💚 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex, Mark and Tom discuss Argyle’s defeat to Stockport, their first in a month but steeped in disappointment having been up at half time.  The pod goes from lauding Tom Cleverley’s men for taking the game to the Hatters, to wrestling with the thinking behind the immediate drop in levels from minute 46, including the who, the what, the why and the how.Have the greens fallen too far from the League One playoff picture following this reverse? How big should the club go on reinforcements? And how will those perilous finances impact this season, and next?Also in focus is a big month ahead of league and cup matches for Marie Hourihan and the Argyle Women, as the side’s ambition for silverware and promotion is discussed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.