Plymouth Argyle have endured a fairly torrid campaign at the foot of the Championship, but they aren’t without reason for optimism.
At the moment, Plymouth Argyle has the lowest goal differential in the league and is three points from safety at the bottom of the Championship. PAFC’s second season back in the second division has been marred by bad choices both on and off the pitch.
With just 66 goals allowed by the closest team, Plymouth Argyle has by far the worst defensive record in the league with 82 goals given up. But ever since Maksym Talovierov and Nikola Katic joined the team in January, the midfield has come under increased scrutiny.
Homegrown midfielder Adam Randell seemed to have divided the fan base more than any other player.
Randell, who has made the third-most appearances of any PAFC player this season and would have made more if not for a suspension after a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City last month, is known by some as the “Plymstock Pirlo.”
It is possible to attribute some of Randell’s difficulties to his midfield teammates. Darko Gyabi, a Leeds United loanee, frequently flatters people to get what he wants, and Adam Forshaw had a bad season before leaving in January.
When Randell is used in a midfield two, his weakest spot is frequently highlighted. This season, his biggest transgression for Plymouth Argyle has been giving up possession in his own defensive third.
Randell’s incapacity to make a significant influence on games is further demonstrated by the fact that he only gets 0.3 touches in the opposition box per 90 (per FootMob). However, Randell is more free to use his riskier passing repertoire when he is paired with Jordan Houghton.
Those who doubt his influence on the squad ought to focus on his partners’ skill. Randell may have ran himself into the ground while attempting to play as a one-man midfield because of his unwavering devotion to the team.
However, in order to drive Randell forward and give him the finest midfield partner possible, the emphasis must be on developing the midfield around him.
Hometown hero
Randell, who has been a Plymouth Argyle supporter since infancy, is making his way through the academy.
Randell, who is happy to have made 169 PAFC appearances, was a vital member of the 2022–2023 League One promotion-winning team. The Championship has been the venue for 80 of these performances.
Due to Joe Edwards’ injury, Randell has been able to wear the armband for a large portion of this season. Randell is undoubtedly in the running for the future Plymouth Argyle captaincy at the age of 24.
Learnt lessons
The level in which Plymouth Argyle will play next season is still up in the air, as Randell’s current contract expires in June 2026.
Randell may be under observation by other teams, so Argyle needs to take note of what happened last season. In the final year of their contract, they were previously let down by an academy graduate, when Mike Cooper left for Sheffield United last summer at a reduced cost.
Fans of PAFC will be hoping that Randell’s early support of the team will work to their advantage. The only thing that should keep the midfielder in League One next season is his passion for Argyle, even though he has the qualifications to play Championship football.
