Sky Sports pundit makes Plymouth Argyle play-off claim ahead of Cheltenham clash | OneFootball

Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has admitted that he believes that the outcome of Plymouth Argyle’s clash with Cheltenham Town this evening could play a major role in the club’s hopes of securing a play-off place this season.

The Pilgrims are set to face six of the top nine sides between now and the end of the regular campaign and thus will be keen to carry some momentum heading into these fixtures.

Currently flying under the guidance of manager Steven Schumacher, Plymouth extended their current winning run in League One to five games last weekend by defeating Accrington Stanley.

Goals from Panutche Camara, Joe Edwards, Niall Ennis and Ryan Hardie allowed Argyle to seal all three points in this aforementioned clash.

Set to take on a Cheltenham side who have three of their last four league games at this level, Plymouth know that they will need to be at their best in order to secure a positive result in front of their supporters.

Ahead of tonight’s clash, Goodman has suggested that a win for the Pilgrims at Home Park will help them in their quest to solidify a play-off spot in the coming weeks.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Sky Sports EFL Podcast, Goodman said: “First and foremost, forget automatic [promotion] if you’re Plymouth, just try and get that gap between the seventh-place club and yourselves as big as possible and once you’ve done that, reassess where you are.

“See how Wigan have done, see how Rotherham have done, see how MK Dons have done because what I have noticed, although it’s been a remarkable run, in the main they have been beating teams that we would expect them to beat.

Quiz: Can you identify each of these 24 ex-Plymouth Argyle players just by looking at 3 clues?

1 of 24

Currently plays for League One side, 25-years-old, left-back

Joe Mason Ben Purrington Jermaine Easter Ashley Barnes

“So of their remaining games, they play four of them against the top six and six games against the top nine so we’re going to find out a bit more about Plymouth but I do think that Cheltenham game and getting three points on the board would be a really good, solid start in solidifying their play-off spot first and foremost.”

The Verdict

Goodman’s comments regarding tonight’s clash are understandable as Plymouth will extend the gap between them and the chasing pack in terms of the play-offs to eight points if they beat Cheltenham.

Although this gap is by no means insurmountable, the Pilgrims will be in an incredibly healthy position heading into their remaining fixtures.

Whereas a push for automatic promotion between now and the end of the campaign is unlikely, there is no reason why Plymouth cannot secure a place in the Championship via a trip to Wembley Stadium in May.

By continuing to deliver the goods on a consistent basis in the third-tier, Argyle will be a force to be reckoned with in the play-offs later this year.