Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Hull City: Player Ratings
Tom Harris reviews the Rooney era's first home league game at Home Park
Plymouth Argyle produced a much improved performance from their previous league venture as they played out a 1-1 draw with Hull City at Home Park.
Ibi Cissoko’s thumping strike was cancelled out by Lewie Coyle’s expertly curled strike as the Pilgrims’ wait for a league win continues. Overall it’s a point on the board for Argyle, which on another day could have been three.
Here are the player ratings from the game.
Conor Hazard, GK: 6 - The keeper didn’t have loads to do in the game, and was helpless to keep out Coyle’s equaliser in the 63rd minute. Hazard’s distribution still remains a concern, although there were a couple of well-placed passes from him in the second half. His decision to slow the game down as Argyle chased a winner in the dying moments did not go down well with the Green Army.
Joe Edwards, RB: 7 - A gutsy performance from Argyle’s captain who was full of running throughout the 90. Dealt with Hull’s dangerous Liam Millar well too. Ought to have put Argyle 1 up in the first half when he found himself in on goal, but scuffed his shot wide of the mark.
Lewis Gibson, RCB: 7 - Looking a real leader at the back since the departure of Dan Scarr. Composed on the ball as ever, he won most of the aerial battles at the back in what was a dominant display for the 24-year-old.
Brendan Galloway, LCB: -7 - Looked comfortable on the ball, rarely gets beaten in a foot race and made some good recovery tackles. It’ll be interesting to see if he keeps his spot in the team when the right-footed Kornel Szucs gets up to match speed.
Bali Mumba, LB: 6 - You can’t fault Mumba’s energy, and his link up with Cissoko looks promising. However, his final ball disappointed on a number of occasions, most notably when he fluffed a shot inside the area after cleverly beating his man. Demonstrated his pace and determination several times getting back in to squander balls in behind the defence. Room for improvement for Argyle’s joint record transfer signing.
Adam Forshaw, CM: 6 - Composed performance from the experienced midfielder who keeps things ticking for Argyle. The former Norwich man is great at picking up loose balls and becoming an option when Argyle try to play out. Received a good ovation when he was substituted for Callum Wright in the second half.
Adam Randell, CM : 8 (Argyle Life POTM) - A fantastic performance from Randell who seemed to be everywhere for Argyle. The pressing system suits the energetic legs of the Argyle academy graduate who ran the show at times for Argyle. Set up attacks on countless occasions with his vision and execution.
Ibrahim Cissoko, LM : 7 (Home Park MOTM) - The man on loan from Toulouse is definitely getting the terraces talking at Home Park. With endless skills and constant tricks up his sleeve, the winger was a persistent thorn in the side of Hull’s defence. His 52nd minute goal was well-taken as he thumped the ball into the back of the net to send the crowd into raptures. Two yellow cards in two league games for the winger though, who was booked for taking his shirt off in celebration.
Morgan Whittaker, RM : 7 - Tested Hull’s shot stopper on a couple of occasions and was unlucky to see a curling effort from a corner whistle past the near post in the second half.His wait for a first goal of the campaign continues, but you can sense the excitement around the ground when he picks up the ball in the final third.
Mustapha Bundu, ACM : 6 - Once again occupied that ‘number 10’ role. Despite his efforts it just didn’t quite click for Bundu who fell victim to either making the wrong choice with his passes, or found the execution lacking. Tireless running from the forward who was subbed for Darko Gyabi in the second half.
Ryan Hardie, ST : 6 - Started in the absence of Mohamed Tijani and the pressing game really suited the Scottish forward who led the line well. Played a part in Argyle’s goal and was unlucky not to score himself when he squeezed a shot just wide of the mark shortly after the interval. Subbed for Ben Waine in the 82nd minute.
Subs:
Freddie Isaaka, LM : 6 - Such a raw talent for Argyle, he gets the fans off their seats with his direct running and willingness to beat his man. Decision making wasn’t always correct but that’ll come in time for the young winger who replaced Argyle’s goal scorer with 25 minutes to go. Forced Hull’s Ivor Pandur into a smart save when he cut in pride and let fly from a tight angle.
Darko Gyabi, ACM/CM : 6 - Replaced Bundu in the ‘10 role’ before dropping into a deeper position when Callum Wright entered the field. Still getting match fitness and was unfortunate to see his powerful drive from just outside the box fire narrowly wide of the mark.
Callum Wright, ACM : N/A - Came on with less than 10 minutes to go but failed to impact proceedings.
Ben Waine, ST : N/A - A double substitution with Wright, similarly to no joy. Had a golden opportunity to slip through Whittaker but his pass was wayward of the advancing Argyle forward.
Jordan Houghton, CM : N/A - Came on for Randell with three minutes to play for what were his first league minutes of the season.
Home Park: 7/10 - A raucous welcome for Wayne Rooney’s first home league game at the helm. A lively atmosphere throughout the first half before the Green Army were sent into pandemonium when Cissoko opened the scoring. Quietened when the visitors equalised but nevertheless fantastic support. Final attendance 16,306 (623 Away)
Think Bali deserves a 7. His defending was tireless and he was kept very busy. The expectations placed on him seem higher perhaps than some other. Also thing Morgs tracking back and tackling deserves a mention. Evidence of the importance Rooney places on playing with aggression and winning back the ball.