Get Chris Errington's exclusive behind-the-scenes take on life at Argyle in his weekly Inside Home Park newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Plymouth Argyle make their shortest trip of the League One season when they play Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Pilgrims have sold all of their allocation of tickets for the match, which has an earlier than usual kick-off of 1.30pm. Both sides are in the bottom four of League One after six games each so will be desperate for a win to start moving them up the table. TACTICS For the first time since the start of pre-season, Argyle have had a free week to get in some quality time on the training ground. There has been a lot for them to work on too after a poor start to the season, particularly their recent defensive shortcomings which have been highlighted by defeats against Peterborough United and Portsmouth. The Argyle had double training sessions on Monday and Tuesday, plus single ones on Thursday and Friday. So it will be fascinating to see how much improvement there is, if any, from bottom-of-the-table Argyle against 21st-placed Rovers, whose only win this season came away from the Memorial Stadium. Argyle manager Derek Adams has tried a variety of different players and formations over recent weeks in an attempt to find a winning formula. As yet, that has not been successful, and you wonder whether it is time to restore Graham Carey and Ruben Lameiras to the starting line-up and play them so they can try to find their best form. Adams has a fully fit squad for the game, and after the 3-0 defeat at Portsmouth last Saturday you would expect there to be at least two or three changes to the team. Rovers, who have lost all three of their home league games this season, will be without defensive duo Tom Lockyer and Joe Martin. Centre-back Lockyer is away on international duty with Wales, and was an unused substitute for their 4-1 victory over the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday night. Martin, the former Gillingham left-back, made his debut for Rovers in the 1-1 draw away to Shrewsbury Town last weekend. However, he was sent-off in the second half after receiving two yellow cards and must serve a one-match suspension. Tom Broadbent and Michael Kelly are likely to be the replacements for Lockyer and Martin respectively. POSSIBLE LINE-UPS Rovers (4-4-2): Bonham; Leadbitter, Broadbent, Craig, Kelly; Matthews, Lines, Clarke, Rodman; Payne, Bennett. Argyle (4-1-4-1): Macey; Riley, Edwards, Wootton, Smith-Brown; Fox; Carey, Sarcevic, Ness, C Grant; Ladapo. DEREK ADAMS ON BRISTOL ROVERS “It’s always a good game against them (Rovers). They have got some very good technical players. “They are like us, they would like to be further up the league. “The end behind one of their goals is very hostile, and fair play to their supporters for making it that way.” MATCH OFFICIALS The referee will be Michael Salisbury, who has shown 17 yellow cards in six games of his third season as an EFL referee. His only previous Argyle match was a 3-1 win away to Newport County in League Two in October 2016. (Image: Dave Rowntree) LAST TIME Argyle lost 2-1 to Rovers at the Memorial Stadium in a League One game on September 30, 2017. The Pilgrims trailed to a goal from Rory Gaffney at half-time but striker Nathan Blissett equalised in the 52nd minute. Billy Bodin soon restored the home side’s lead, though, and Argyle then had right-back Gary Miller sent-off for a second bookable offence. THE ODDS Argyle are 29/10 with EFL title sponors Sky Bet to win this game. Rovers are the favourites at 10/11 and the draw is 5/2.<doc-sep>The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Get Chris Errington's exclusive behind-the-scenes take on life at Argyle in his weekly Inside Home Park newsletter Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Graham Carey returns to Plymouth Argyle’s starting line-up for the away game against Bristol Rovers. The all-West Country clash kicks off at the earlier than usual time on a Saturday of 1.30pm. Carey has played as a substitute in the last two games, away to Millwall in the Carabao Cup and Portsmouth in League One. However, he has been restored to the side by manager Derek Adams for the fixture at the Memorial Stadium at the expense of Stuart O’Keefe. O’Keefe has started the last two games after arriving on loan from Cardiff City. There is one other change to the Argyle team against Rovers with Niall Canavan replacing Ashley Smith-Brown. Gary Sawyer will move to left-back with Canavan slotting into the centre of defence. Argyle: Matt Macey; Joe Riley, Ryan Edwards, Niall Canavan, Gary Sawyer; Antoni Sarcevic, Yann Songo’o, Jamie Ness; Graham Carey, Freddie Ladapo, Conor Grant. Substitutes: Ryan Taylor, Ruben Lameiras, Stuart O’Keefe, Joel Grant, Kyle Letheren, Ashley Smith-Brown, Scott Wootton Rovers: Jack Bonham; Daniel Leadbitter, Jordan Clarke, Tony Craig, Michael Kelly; Sam Matthews, Chris Lines, Ollie Clarke, Kyle Bennett; Stefan Payne, Gavin Reilly. Substitutes: Ed Upson, Tom Nichols, Tom Broadbent, Alex Jakubiak, Adam Smith, Stuart Sinclair, Alex Rodman.<doc-sep>THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GAS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. SIGN UP Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Bristol Rovers drew their second game in succession in League One, sharing the honours after a 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle at the Memorial Stadium. BristolLive sports reporter John Evely takes a closer look at how the individuals did. Jack Bonham - 8 (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP) The keeper is very keen to come off his line, but doesn’t always get to the ball which is a bit of a concern. Daniel Leadbitter - 5 So much pace going forward but his end product has to improve. Another afternoon of frustratingly disappointing deliveries from the right back. James Clarke - 6 A decent shift at centre back to earn Rovers their first cleansheet of the season but it was against a struggling side. Tony Craig - 6 Largely managed to contain the threats of the way side who only managed a couple of clear efforts. Michael Kelly - 7 A very good League One full debut. He put in a few very dangerous long balls early in the match and looked composed throughout. He might just be the answer at left back. Ollie Clarke © - 7 One of the best on display. He is very good at winning back possession and played a couple of visionary passses. He had an early shot but put it right now the throat of the keeper. Chris Lines - 7 The midfielder was a welcome return for Rovers and brought with him an added sophistication of passing in midfield. More of that was needed from the whole team. Kyle Bennett - 7 Another decent display, it a good touch as ever and he had a shot in the first half which required a fine save. Sam Matthews - 8 A much brighter performance, showing his quick feet to dance around players. He improved as the match went on and was denied by stunning save from Plymouth keeper Matt Macey. Gavin Reilly - 6 One half chance in the second half, hitting the post with an effort at the near post. Stefan Payne - 5 (Image: Ryan Hiscott/JMP) Isolated up front with his team mates doing little but pumping long ball up to him to try and compete. He should have done better with a header just minutes into the match after a great cross from Michael Kelly. Subs: Tom Broadbent 6, Stuart Sinclair 6, Tom Nichols 6. Subs not used: Adam Smith (GK), Alex Jakubiak, Ed Upson, Alex Rodman.<doc-sep>Bristol Rovers’ 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle was a story of wonder saves. Both sides started the day in the League One relegation zone, and desperately in need of points, but they had to make do with a share of the spoils. It was the Gas’ first point at the Memorial Stadium this season, and manager Darrell Clarke will be wondering how it was not three after former Rovers goalkeeper Matt Macey denied Sam Matthews with a brilliant stop, pushing the midfielder’s venomous half volley out for a corner midway through the second half. However the same will be said for Clarke’s counterpart Derek Adams who watched Pirates keeper Jack Bonham pull off an even better save to deny Graham Carey. Carey smashed a shot from 12 yards out toward the roof of the net and Bonham was moving the wrong way but he stuck out a strong right hand to make the save. Plymouth’s players were left with their head in their hands. Clarke made five chances to the side which drew 1-1 in Shrewsbury; Gavin Reilly was handed his first since going the club as a free agent following his departure at St Mirren, while young Michael Kelly made his full League One debut as well, starting at left back after the Scotsman played there in the 3-1 defeat in the second round of the Carabao Cup at QPR. Chris Lines came straight back into the side in central midfield after his three match suspension for a red card against Portsmouth. It was scrappy affair in the first half, lacking real quality at times. Rovers effort could not be questioned as they fought for every ball and largely contained Plymouth. But they also failed to pose a threat themselves, with the only significant chances coming for Ollie Clarke and Kyle Bennett. Both midfielders had solid shots on target but former Pirate Macey was a match for both efforts. For the most part The Gas were too happy to play long balls to the isolated Payne who is not as good in air as Rovers need him to be. The second half was a better affair, with Rovers showing more intent and invention, keeping the ball of the deck and looking dangerous on the break. That saw then create a series of chances with Reilly hitting the near post with a blast and man of the match Sam Matthews denied by Macey. Plymouth had their chances to take the win with Bonham saving brilliantly from Carey and then Antoni Sarcevic missed almost an open target with seven minutes of regular remaining. Bristol Rovers: Jack Bonham (GK), Daniel Leadbitter, James Clarke, Tony Craig, Michael Kelly, Ollie Clarke (c), Chris Lines, Kyle Bennett, Sam Matthews, Gavin Reilly, Stefan Payne. Subs: Adam Smith (GK), Tom Broadbent, Stuart Sinclair, Ed Upson, Alex Rodman, Tom Nichols, Alex Jakubiak. Plymouth Argyle: Matt Macey (GK), Joe Riley, Gary Sawyer (c), Yann Songo'o, Ryan Edwards, Jamie Ness, Antoni Sarcevic, Graham Carey, Niall Canavan, Conor Grant, Freddie Ladapo. Subs: Ryan Taylor, Ruben Lameiras, Stuart O'Keefe, Joel Grant, Kyle Letheren, Ashley Smith-Brown, Scott Wootton. Referee: Michael Salisbury Attendance: 9006, (1153 away) Relive all the action from the game below.<doc-sep>
Plymouth Argyle are still waiting for their first League One win of the season after the 0-0 draw with Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium. However, after losing their previous three games in all competitions and conceding 11 goals in the process, there were positives to take out of this match. Most notably, it was Argyle’s first league clean sheet of the campaign and gives them a base to build on now. PLYMOUTH ARGYLE (4-4-1-1) 1 Matt Macey – 7 Was not overly busy but made two excellent saves, from Kyle Bennett in the first half and Sam Matthews in the second half 2 Joe Riley – 6 Generally dealt well with the threat of Kyle Bennett in the first half before he was replaced at the break because of an injury 5 Ryan Edwards – 7 Had the better of his battle with Rovers’ powerful and physical striker Stefan Payne 14 Niall Canavan – 7 Returned to the team after missing out for the previous two matches and he put in a very solid display 3 Gary Sawyer – 7 Returned to his usual left-back role after playing the last two games in the centre of defence as Ashley Smith-Brown dropped out of the side 7 Antoni Sarcevic – 6 Played on the right of a narrow midfield quartet. Should have scored late on but sent a sidefoot shot wide of the target 4 Yann Songo’o – 7 Did the dirty work for Argyle, heading and tackling with great gusto and regularity which prevented Rovers from building up attacks 6 Jamie Ness – 6 A steady rather spectacular performance from the central midfielder, who did his defensive duties diligently 15 Conor Grant – 6 Got into some good crossing positions in the first half but Argyle could not capitalise from that because of a lack of players in the box 10 Graham Carey – 6 Played in a central role behind striker Freddie Ladapo. Almost scored with a fierce shot in the second half which forced a tremendous saver out of Jack Bonham 19 Freddie Ladapo – 7 Worked extremely hard up front, not only in the second period when Argyle got on the front foot, but also when he had to work off scraps in the first half Substitutes 9 Ryan Taylor (for Ness 84 mins) Was sent on as Argyle’s third and final substitute for the closing stages in an attacking change by Derek Adams 11 Ruben Lameiras 13 Stuart O’Keefe 16 Joel Grant (for C Grant 61 mins) - 7 Made an immediate impact on the left of the midfield quartet. His attacking play caused a lot of problems for the Rovers’ defence 21 Kyle Letheren 23 Ashley Smith-Brown 25 Scott Wootton (for Riley h/t) – 6 The central defender was called upon to play at right-back for the second half after an injury to Joe Riley (Image: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK) BRISTOL ROVERS (4-4-2) Jack Bonham; Daniel Leadbitter (Tom Broadbent 84 mins), Jordan Clarke, Tony Craig, Michael Kelly; Sam Matthews (Stuart Sinclair 79 mins), Chris Lines, Ollie Clarke, Kyle Bennett; Stefan Payne, Gavin Reilly (Tom Nichols 68 mins). Substitutes: Ed Upson, Alex Jakubiak, Adam Smith, Alex Rodman. REFEREE: Michael Salisbury (Lancashire) 8 ATTENDANCE: 9,006 (1,153) GOALS – Bristol Rovers: None; Argyle: None YELLOW CARDS – Bristol Rovers: Craig 90 +2 mins; Argyle: Carey 86 mins MATCH RATING: 2 out of 5 ARGYLE STAR MAN: Joel Grant NEXT MATCH: Saturday, home to Blackpool, League One (3pm)