Plymouth Argyle 3-4-2-1
Cooper
Longwijk
Scarr
Wilson
Edwards
Randell
Butcher
Mumba
Whittaker
Azaz
Hardie
Sheffield Wednesday 4-2-3-1
Stockdale
Palmer
Ihiekwe
Heneghan
James
Vaulks
Bakinson
Windass
Bannan
Johnson
Smith
What a great advert for not only League 1, but the EFL in general. Tonight's match at Home Park had absolutely everything a neutral, match going, football nerd could ever wish for, multiple tactical switches, a frantic pace and action aplenty. I try and keep my blogs to a readable length but tonight's game could have a million words written about it.
The game started at a 100mph and after a loose pass in the Wednesday midfield Ryan Hardie had a shot from range that deflected wide for the games first corner within two minutes of kick off.
Argyle capitalised on their rapid start when just a minute later Finn Azaz slid Hardie in on goal and the striker shot across the face of David Stockdale into the far corner. 1-0 Argyle.
The game still hadn't settled down when Wednesday equalised. Former Argyle loanee Tyreeq Bakinson slide in Liam Palmer and the full back slotted home on his left foot. 1-1.
The Owls followed up their equaliser with a Michael Smith's snapshot. Palmer, Barry Bannan and Josh Windass were linking up well down the right and Wednesday were starting to take the ascendancy.
A throw in caught Argyle's defence sleeping and led to Windass having a great opportunity but Michael Cooper made a fine stop to tip the effort onto the post.
With more and more of Wednesday's attacks coming down their right hand side, Argyle, in the hope of combating this, made a tweak to their defence with James Wilson and Nigel Longwijk altering positions.
The switch didn't work straight away as shortly afterwards Bannan, in the inside right channel laid the ball back to the onrushing Will Vaulks who shot from the edge of the area only to see his goal bound effort deflect wide.
The game was being played at a frantic pace yet the quality from both sides was still evident, particularly the away side. But, as the half went into its final 10-15 minutes you got the feeling that Plymouth had weathered the Wednesday storm and the momentum was shifting.
Argyle started to penetrate the Wednesday back line and only some brilliant bodies on the line defending which seen The Owls make three goal bound blocks in a matter of seconds kept the scorers level.
As Half Time approached Joe Edwards picked up a yellow card for a foul on Reece James that presumably left the full back with an knock or an injury as he was replaced by Dominic Iorfa at the interval.
Half Time
Plymouth Argyle 1
Sheffield Wednesday 1
The Iorfa for James sub at the break meant a change in Wednesday's system for the second half with them reverting to a back three of Ihiekwe, Heneghan and Iorfa. Palmer and Johnson as wings backs. Vaulks and Bakinson in midfield with Bannan and Windass in behind Smith.
The second half carried on at the breakneck pace of the first and five minutes into the half a Dan Scarr error left Michael Smith one on one with Cooper, his shot lacked power and conviction and Wednesday had blown another chance of taking the lead.
With shots raining in on goal from both sides it was incredible that the scoreline was still one apiece, Windass' latest effort from the corner of the box hit the bottom of the post as Wednesday tried to capitalise on their impressive play.
Argyle made a double substitution on the hour mark to try and wrestle back some control with Jordan Houghton and Brendan Galloway entering the pitch to replace Matt Butcher and Nigel Longwijk.
The change didn't help initially and a Marvin Johnson effort from a tight angle allowed Michael Cooper to add to his repertoire of quality saves.
Argyle made their second double substitution, this time Forwards Niall Ennis and Sam Cosgrove entered the fray to replace Azaz and Hardie.
Wednesday still had the next big opportunity and elite Goalkeeper Cooper made another outstanding stop to keep the scores level.
With Just short of twenty minutes to play Wednesday made a tactical switch, replacing Bannan and Windass with Dele-Bashiru and Patterson, a move that meant a formation switch to 3-5-2.
Like the first half, it was beginning to look like Wednesday had huffed and puffed but couldn't blow Argyle's house down and the home side were starting to finish the game on the front foot.
A effort from Ennis was saved low down by Stockdale, this was shortly followed by a Cosgrove downward header that was saved by Stockdale before a Wednesday defender scooped the ball off his own goal line onto the underside of the crossbar.
With Argyle now firmly on top, in the first minute of injury time, substitutes Ennis and Cosgrove combined with the former heading home from a left footed Ennis cross to take Plymouth into a 2-1 lead.
With Home Park bouncing Argyle seen out the remaining minutes and banked the three points which solidifies their spot at the top of
League One and gives them a five point cushion over Wednesday in third.
Full Time
Plymouth Argyle 2
Sheffield Wednesday 1
Some final thoughts. It's another outstanding result for Plymouth. They have now beaten or avoided defeat against the sides who are sitting 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th in the table. They've proven that they can find numerous ways of winning. With their fixture list looking favourable in October and November I see absolutely no reason why they can't keep themselves in the automatic promotion positions.
As for Wednesday, I've seen some fall out about Darren Moore's substitutions and how they've cost Wednesday the game. I don't want to patronise any Owls fans, you know your club better than me. However, I don't think it's right that the subs cost Wednesday the game, they mace have impacted Wednesday winning the game but for me, and I apologise if this is too simplistic but sometimes you just play well and lose. If Wednesday play as well as tonight against almost any other team/goalkeeper in the league then they win comfortably. In my opinion, as much as I understand the frustration, absolutely no need to over react, Wednesday will be right there at the end of the season.