Goals from Daniel Agyei and Erhun Otzumer proved the killer blow for Plymouth Argyle despite a late Graham Carey consolation goal as the League One newcomers fell to a 2-1 defeat at the Bescot Stadium.
The Pilgrims are now without a win in three games following last weekend’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Scunthorpe and a credible 1-1 draw with Southend the week previously.
Without the trio of defender Oscar Threlkeld, suspended Antoni Sarcevic and forward Ryan Taylor, the Pilgrims dominated the opening exchanges, but as has been the case on a few occasions already this season they lacked the killer instinct to convert chances into goals as Agyei, who signed on loan from Premier League side Burnley fired in midway through the first half.
Argyle manager Derek Adams rung the changes with Yann Songo’o replacing Joel Grant just before half-time before winger Jake Jervis came off for forward Nathan Blissett at the break as Plymouth switched from 4-2-3-1 to a more attacking 3-5-2 formation with their midfield becoming overrun by a lively Walsall outfit.
Oztumer doubled the lead with a low 81st-minute strike, before attacking midfielder Graham Carey scored a late consolation from the spot after Blissett appeared to be dragged down in the area.
The result sent alarm bells ringing around the Devon side’s fanbase with much of the early season optimism slowly fading away and being replaced by a wariness of a potential relegation battle after recording just four points from their opening fives games.
Below are how a section of the club’s fans reacted to the 2-1 defeat.
Argyle looked well and truly deflated after that first goal, thought we were the better side…for the first 5 minutes. #sameoldargyle #pafc
— Jack Netherton (@Jacknetherton) September 2, 2017
To evaluate – 6ft 5 Sonny Bradley lost a header to 5ft 2 Erhan Oztumer. Have a nice day x #pafc pic.twitter.com/Cge2iIxSDf
— Jack Sharp (@__jacksharp10) September 2, 2017
No need to hit this just yet. 5 games in. Gonna be a long hard season with plenty of ups & downs. Onto the next!!! #InDerekWeTrust #pafc pic.twitter.com/ap1hoNRy7Z
— Plymouth Argyle Yap (@ArgyleYap) September 2, 2017
Today’s result/performance is the first one to really hurt this season #pafc
— Jak Ball (@Jakfirst) September 2, 2017
Absolutely spineless from #pafc today!! Really need to toughen up a bit!! Too weak for me!! Give us fans something to shout about! #COYG
— Matt Searle (@MattiusPAFC) September 2, 2017
Green Army in full voice till it all went wrong at Walsall 😫 #pafc pic.twitter.com/34pCHnCpAB
— Paul McDonnell (@paul_mcdonnell1) September 2, 2017
Some off our fans are a different breed.Adams OUT and relegation scrap being mentioned after 5 games #pafc
— NEIL ALLEN (@neilallen135) September 2, 2017
Horrible day at the office. Unusual but Derek got it wrong. Move on and right the wrongs. 💚 #pafc
— Fred Carter (@FredCarter17) September 2, 2017
That’s what you get for not investing on a decent front pair! Same old formation, go behind early again! No fight, no passion #pafc
— Jack Leslie (@jackolesliepafc) September 2, 2017
Need the main man Threlkeld back, sort out this car-crash of a defensive midfield. #pafc
— M Kenna-Allison (@MrKennaAllison) September 2, 2017
I’m now prepared for a relegation battle, I’ve left @WFCOfficial absolutely gutted, i need a beer, @Only1Argyle #pafc
— Loz Argyle (@ArgyleLoz) September 2, 2017
Not investing in the squad but don’t worry we have a new stand on the way #pafc
— 🇳🇬💚 (@Only1Martini) September 2, 2017
A seven word summary of a seven match season:- We can’t score when we’re on top #pafc
— John Lloyd (@John_Lloyd) September 2, 2017
Aren’t we all glad football is back!? #pafc pic.twitter.com/WPOMTPLrC9
— Jak Ball (@Jakfirst) September 2, 2017
