Football Season Guide

Plymouth Argyle will be hoping to continue the momentum from last season and be among the promotion challengers in League One. It was a season of two halves for the Pilgrims as the hangover from relegation from the Championship threatened to develop into the nightmare of back-to-back relegations. Supporters were calling for the head of head coach Tom Cleverley following a miserable defeat to Devon rivals Exeter City in October yet they enjoyed a remarkable renaissance whilst their rivals were relegated at the end of the season. That re-emergence was largely built upon the remarkable form of striker Lorent Tolaj. Signed in August from Port Vale he quickly established himself as one of the best strikers in League One. He would go on to score 18 goals in 33 starts and it soon became apparent that it was going to be difficult to hold on to him . Sure enough a significant fee has seen him sign for Championship side Bristol City. His departure is a huge blow and has cast a bit of a cloud over Home Park, with a gaping hole left in attack. Worse could soon follow with striker Aribim Pepple also attracting plenty of Championship suitors. Replacing them with similar quality is a big challenge, with geography playing a significant role in recruitment. Other notable departures include goalkeeper Conor Hazard and midfielders Herbie Kane and Joe Ralls. Kane, whose season was ended early by injury, was always going to return to his parent club but Ralls rejection of a new contract is a bit of a blow. Hazard had an inconsistent campaign, partly due to injury and Murphy Cooper, signed on a permanent deal from Queens Park Rangers, is a more-than-decent replacement. Centre-back Alex Mitchell’s loan move from Charlton Athletic has been made permanent and has been the most positive news so far this summer. More is needed of course and it’s likely Cleverly will be busy right up until the end of the transfer window.