What the Stats Say...Plymouth

Matt Peck returns to these pages to preview our trip to Plymouth Argyle in what could well be an incredibly important match at this late stage in the season. With playoff rivals Crewe and Cheltenham facing off today, we know that at least one of them will drop points, so this is our chance to capitalise. However, Home Park has not historically been a happy hunting ground...

THE NUMBERS

Form (League)

Plymouth: WDWLD (8 pts)

Oxford: DWDWD (9pts)

Times played (at Plymouth): 14

Wins

Plymouth: 9

Oxford: 2

Draws: 3

Goals

Plymouth: 27

Oxford: 14

Last league Result (At Plymouth): (26 January 2002)

Plymouth 4 v 2 Oxford

Coughlan (21) Morley (34)

Hodges (24) Powell (41)

Stonebridge (45, 46)

Reverse Fixture: Oxford 5 – 1 Plymouth

OTHER STATS

It was over 10 years ago that Oxford last travelled to Plymouth, and 31 years since Oxford walked away with all 3 points from the Pilgrims. They did beat Plymouth in a League Cup game in 1997.

In 2001-2002 (the last time both teams were in the same league), Plymouth became champions of Division Three, with 102 points, and with 6 defeats (2 at home), they only dropped 10 points at home all season.

Things have changed slightly for the Green Army of late, after getting promoted to the Championship in 2004 they enjoyed four solid midtable finishes in this league. Indeed, they finished just 6 points off the playoffs in 2008. But various issues on and off the pitch led to a dramatic slide down the table. Two successive relegations due to points deductions and the like landed Plymouth in League Two, where it took them 10 games to find a win. It wasn’t until January 2012 that Plymouth rose from the bottom of the table, and found some form.

The reverse fixture was actually Plymouth’s heaviest defeat since their 4-0 defeat away to Burnley in April 2007, and the first time they conceded 5 since their away game to West Ham in February 2005.

For Oxford, the reverse was their most convincing victory if you take the score alone. In reality it was a close fought game right up to the 70^th minute, and many would argue the score line flattered Oxford somewhat.

The history of this fixture dates back to 1975, in the old Division Two. Plymouth prevailed 2-1 winners over the yellows that time round.

Both of Oxford’s victories at Plymouth have been 0-1.

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