Post by Zamoraaaah on Apr 24, 2009 6:36:47 GMT
It wouldn't be the first time we've done it with nothing to play for.
But then again, I want Norwich to go down so it wouldn't be the end of the world if we did...Would it?
From www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/Sturrock-keen-finish-season-flourish/article-928203-detail/article.html
ARGYLE can ensure Championship football for another season by beating Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road tomorrow.
Otherwise, the wait to find out whether the Pilgrims will win their battle against relegation will continue until at least Monday.
That is when Norwich City, who are 22nd in the Championship table, are at home to Reading in a Sky-televised clash.
Bottom-of-the-table Charlton Athletic have already been demoted to League One.
And the fate of Southampton was sealed yesterday when the Football League announced they would be deducting them 10 points (see page 36).
But the one remaining relegation position could still be filled by any of seven clubs.
Should Argyle beat QPR in their penultimate match of the season they will definitely be safe, regardless of other results.
If the 19th-placed Pilgrims draw tomorrow, Norwich must win their last two matches to stand any chance of finishing above them.
But an Argyle defeat at Loftus Road could see them overtaken by Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, and put them firmly in the sights of Norwich.
Then the Pilgrims would face a pressure-filled encounter against Barnsley at Home Park next Sunday.
Not surprisingly, Argyle manager Paul Sturrock is hoping to avoid that last scenario.
He said: "As long as we mirror-image Norwich in terms of results this weekend, then it's happy days.
"But I don't want to limp over the line. I would like us to do our business to get over the line.
"It would leave a nice taste in our mouths for next season if we were to win the last two games."
Argyle have won seven times on their travels this season, including a 1-0 success over promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They are also unbeaten in their last two away games, after defeating Blackpool 1-0 and drawing 1-1 at Birmingham City.
But QPR, who are 11th in the Championship, have an impressive record at Loftus Road this term, with 12 wins and only four defeats.
And their players know they must continue to put in decent performances while the club search for a new manager after the recent dismissal of Paulo Sousa.
Sturrock said: "It's a difficult place to go because QPR have got good home form.
"If their players want to stay there they have got to impress their owners."
Striker Rowan Vine, who has recently returned from a broken leg, is someone that Sturrock has a particularly healthy respect for.
"The boy Vine has missed most of the season so he should be flying," said the Pilgrims' boss.
"It's a difficult place to go, but no more difficult than going to Birmingham (on Easter Monday) when they needed the points to stay in the top two, or when we went to Wolves."
Argyle will have to improve considerably on their display in the 3-0 defeat by Doncaster Rovers at Home Park last Saturday.
Sturrock said: "That game isn't forgotten. I will make sure it's not forgotten. I think I have got to use it as a tool.
"We have got to appreciate we are an attitude and workrate team. That's the kind of team we are.
"And when you are that kind of team, you have to have that cutting edge all the time, as far as attitude and workrate is concerned.
"We thought it was just going to happen for us last Saturday, and the team that had played against Blackpool, Coventry and Birmingham didn't turn up.
"Their bodies were there, but the mental side of it wasn't there."
Before Argyle play QPR, Blackpool will take on Forest in a 12.30pm kick-off at Bloomfield Road.
One point would see 18th-placed Blackpool to safety.
Sturrock said: "I would probably like a Blackpool win because it keeps a team (Forest) below us with one game left."
But then again, I want Norwich to go down so it wouldn't be the end of the world if we did...Would it?
From www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/Sturrock-keen-finish-season-flourish/article-928203-detail/article.html
ARGYLE can ensure Championship football for another season by beating Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road tomorrow.
Otherwise, the wait to find out whether the Pilgrims will win their battle against relegation will continue until at least Monday.
That is when Norwich City, who are 22nd in the Championship table, are at home to Reading in a Sky-televised clash.
Bottom-of-the-table Charlton Athletic have already been demoted to League One.
And the fate of Southampton was sealed yesterday when the Football League announced they would be deducting them 10 points (see page 36).
But the one remaining relegation position could still be filled by any of seven clubs.
Should Argyle beat QPR in their penultimate match of the season they will definitely be safe, regardless of other results.
If the 19th-placed Pilgrims draw tomorrow, Norwich must win their last two matches to stand any chance of finishing above them.
But an Argyle defeat at Loftus Road could see them overtaken by Nottingham Forest and Barnsley, and put them firmly in the sights of Norwich.
Then the Pilgrims would face a pressure-filled encounter against Barnsley at Home Park next Sunday.
Not surprisingly, Argyle manager Paul Sturrock is hoping to avoid that last scenario.
He said: "As long as we mirror-image Norwich in terms of results this weekend, then it's happy days.
"But I don't want to limp over the line. I would like us to do our business to get over the line.
"It would leave a nice taste in our mouths for next season if we were to win the last two games."
Argyle have won seven times on their travels this season, including a 1-0 success over promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers.
They are also unbeaten in their last two away games, after defeating Blackpool 1-0 and drawing 1-1 at Birmingham City.
But QPR, who are 11th in the Championship, have an impressive record at Loftus Road this term, with 12 wins and only four defeats.
And their players know they must continue to put in decent performances while the club search for a new manager after the recent dismissal of Paulo Sousa.
Sturrock said: "It's a difficult place to go because QPR have got good home form.
"If their players want to stay there they have got to impress their owners."
Striker Rowan Vine, who has recently returned from a broken leg, is someone that Sturrock has a particularly healthy respect for.
"The boy Vine has missed most of the season so he should be flying," said the Pilgrims' boss.
"It's a difficult place to go, but no more difficult than going to Birmingham (on Easter Monday) when they needed the points to stay in the top two, or when we went to Wolves."
Argyle will have to improve considerably on their display in the 3-0 defeat by Doncaster Rovers at Home Park last Saturday.
Sturrock said: "That game isn't forgotten. I will make sure it's not forgotten. I think I have got to use it as a tool.
"We have got to appreciate we are an attitude and workrate team. That's the kind of team we are.
"And when you are that kind of team, you have to have that cutting edge all the time, as far as attitude and workrate is concerned.
"We thought it was just going to happen for us last Saturday, and the team that had played against Blackpool, Coventry and Birmingham didn't turn up.
"Their bodies were there, but the mental side of it wasn't there."
Before Argyle play QPR, Blackpool will take on Forest in a 12.30pm kick-off at Bloomfield Road.
One point would see 18th-placed Blackpool to safety.
Sturrock said: "I would probably like a Blackpool win because it keeps a team (Forest) below us with one game left."