Meet the opposition | Plymouth Argyle
As Swansea City get set to take on League One side Plymouth Argyle in the second round of the Carabao Cup, we take a closer look at the Pilgrims.
What's their story?
Originally founded as Argyle in 1886, the club turned professional in 1903, and they have played at Home Park since 1901.
Argyle have a reputation of being a ‘yo-yo club’. Despite winning many titles from the 1950s onwards, they have also suffered relegation relatively frequently after winning some of those titles. They were relegated into the fourth tier for the first time in 1995, and though they would win immediate promotion in 1995–96, they were relegated again in 1998.
Plymouth secured a record fifth third-tier league title in 2003–04, remaining in the Championship for six seasons until administration and two successive relegations left them in League Two by 2011. In 2016–17 Argyle won promotion to League One, and again in 2019–20 following relegation the previous season.
How's their form?
Plymouth enjoyed a busy pre-season campaign, winning three fixtures and drawing two. The Swans were along those to pay a visit to Home Park which resulted in a 2-1 victory for the travelling side.
The Pilgrims kicked off the season with a defeat away to Rotherham, however they bounced back with three dominant wins over Peterborough, in the first round of the Carabao Cup, and Gillingham and Shrewsbury in the league.
Who's the boss?
Ryan Lowe began his managerial career at the now defunct Bury, coaching them in a caretaker capacity from 2017-2018, before earning a permanent role in 2018.
Lowe made the move to Plymouth the following year, taking over a month before they were relegated from the third tier. In his first full season, Lowe gained immediate promotion back to League One in 2019-20, and finished 18th last season.
In his playing career, the forward made 626 total league appearances for nine different English clubs, including over 50 appearances for Shrewsbury Town, Bury, Crewe Alexandra and Chester City.
Who's the captain?
Joe Edwards spent nine years in Bristol City’s youth academy before getting his first senior call up in 2010. After leaving the Robins in 2013, Edwards spent time with Yeovil Town, Colchester United and Walsall before becoming Lowe’s first signing in 2019.
He initially signed a two-year deal with Argyle and penned a two-year extension ahead of this season after earning the club’s Player of the Year honours in 2020.
The full-back took over as captain of Argyle last season after Gary Sawyer went down with injury, and was kept as the club’s skipper for this season.
He’s made 78 league appearances, scoring 10 goals, during his time at Home Park.
Who are the key men?
Midfielder Panutche Camara first arrived on British shores as a teenager to join the Barnsley Academy, before signing for National League South side Dulwich Hamlet in 2017. Known for his energy and running ability with the ball, Camara quickly became a fan favourite at Home Park as he scored five goals in 48 matches for the Pilgrims.
A product of the Rangers youth academy, Scottish striker Ryan Hardie completed a permanent move to the Pilgrims after two previous loan spells at Home Park. His two loan spells saw Hardie score 10 goals in 34 matches, whilst also playing a vital part in Plymouth’s promotion from League Two. Hardie is no stranger to the Jack Army as he scored against Swansea back in a pre-season friendly in July.
Wales Under-21 international Luke Jephcott was Argyle’s top scorer last season with 18 goals in all competitions. A product of the club's academy, Jephcott became the first player born in the 21st century to play for Plymouth. The striker has five Wales Under-21 caps to his name.
