Argyle have work to do to get a pizza the action
PLYMOUTH Argyle’s involvement in the 2021/22 Papa John’s Trophy will come to an end unless they beat Arsenal Under21s by at least three goals at Home Park tonight.
The Pilgrims lost the first two of their three games in Southern Group F - 2-0 away to Newport County and 3-1 at home to Swindon Town.
Unless they defeat Arsenal, and group leaders Swindon also beat Newport at the County Ground on Tuesday, November 9, Argyle will fail to qualify for the knockout stage.
They have not progressed past the group stage since the current format of the Papa John’s Trophy, which includes 16 invited under-21 sides, was introduced from the 2016/17 season.
The attendance for Argyle’s tie against Swindon was a meagre 1,556 and just five blocks in the Lyndhurst Stand are open for the visit of Arsenal Under-21s.
Nonetheless, the fixture will provide some senior players with an opportunity to get game-time, such as goalkeeper Callum Burton, defender Macaulay Gillesphey and striker Kieran Agard.
The fans that do attend the final group game could also see an exciting Argyle prospect make his first senior start for the club, which would be a big benefit for the club.
Midfielder Will Jenkins-Davies celebrated his 17th birthday on October 22 by signing a professional contract after catching the eye of manager Ryan Lowe in the under-18s set up.
Jenkins-Davies has played twice as a substitute in the Papas John’s Trophy, replacing Danny Mayor at the start of the second half against Swindon.
He impressed then, so it would be no surprise to see the Wales under18 international named in the team to take on Arsenal Under-21s..
Jenkins-Davies also had an up close look at Argyle’s exciting 2-1 League One win against Ipswich Town at Home Park on Saturday because he was one of the substitutes for that game.
The Papa John’s Trophy tie against some of Arsenal’s best academy products would seem to be an ideal opportunity to give Jenkins-Davies his full debut.
There could also be another chance to shine for 18-year-old striker Rhys Shirley, who started the defeats by Newport and Swindon earlier in the competition.
Shirley should be high on confidence after completing a hat-trick in a 6-3 EFL Youth Alliance defeat away to Portsmouth on Saturday.
The young prospect was regularly involved in the Pilgrims’ senior squad at the start of this season before the free agent signing of Agard.
Arsenal Under-21s began their Papa John’s Trophy campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Swindon but then beat Newport 4-3 at Rodney Parade after scoring two late goals to overturn a 3-2 deficit.
The kick-off at Home Park tonight is 7.45pm. Admission is £10 for adults, £8 for over-65s, £7 for under23s, £5 for under-18s and £3 for under-12s, while it will be free for under-eights who are with a paying adult/over-65/under-23.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are in talks with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after sacking manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nuno’s reign was brought to an end after only four months with Spurs announcing yesterday morning that he had been axed.
The club had been in discussions with Conte during the summer before appointing Nuno as successor to Jose Mourinho. A deal between the parties being reached would see the Italian return to the Premier League three years after leaving Chelsea.
Nuno was not the only manager to be sacked yesterday.
Barnsley have confirmed the departure of head coach Markus Schopp after five months in charge.
Schopp leaves the club after the Tykes suffered their seventh successive loss at the weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Bristol City. Barnsley are currently second from bottom in the Championship with only eight points so far this season.
Meanwhile, Scunthorpe have announced manager Neil Cox has parted company with the club.
The Iron are currently bottom of Sky Bet League Two having won only two and lost eight of their 15 league games this season.