ALL but four members of the Plymouth Argyle squad had a break from competitive fixtures this weekend, with the International calendar putting paid to any Championship action. Left midfielder Tony Capaldi spent the week with the Northern Ireland group, which saw the Pilgrim start at left-back for his country against England. Perhaps the whole experience of playing at Old Trafford on Saturday overawed the Irishman who, despite a solid first half, looked uneasy in the second. In fact it was a poor pass from Capaldi just after the interval that led to England's opening goal. Ireland went on to concede a further three goals. Weak defences are something that Capaldi has become accustomed to in recent weeks with fellow green-shirted strugglers Plymouth caving-in at Millwall and Sunderland in their last two away fixtures. Welcome to Home Park, then, Premiership stalwart Jason Dodd. The 34-year-old defender has joined the Pilgrims from Southampton on loan until April 20, with the possibility of an extension that would keep the Bath-born Saint at Home Park until the end of the Championship campaign. The Greens defence has looked in need of bolstering and Dodd's arrival is timely, on the eve of two winnable home fixtures against teams in and around the densely populated relegation zone. Whether or not the Saints captain will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's home game against Cardiff City is questionable. Dodd's first team chances at Southampton have been slim, with his last Premiership run out against Tottenham in December. Even if Dodd doesn't make it to the team sheet for every game, his presence on the training pitch and in the dressing room could prove as vital as his experience in the Pilgrims back four. Whoever starts for Argyle, the players will need to be at their best to defeat a side battling for their Championship safety too. Cardiff City, managed by former Argyle caretaker boss Lenny Lawrence, will be desperate to avenge the 1-0 home defeat at the hands of the Pilgrims in the third match of the season. A solitary own goal was all that separated the teams on August 13, and the fact that both are languishing around the relegation zone nearly eight months later shows there is little to choose between them. The news is good for Argyle, however. Cardiff have won just once away from home this year, a 1-0 victory at Derby County. With doubts looming over their future, Cardiff will approach the game with caution. They have failed to replace Welsh international goal-machine Robert Earnshaw since his transfer to Premiership West Brom. Victories over Cardiff tomorrow and Watford on Tuesday would pull the Pilgrims clear of the relegation battle. Two bad results would plunge the Greens further into the mire. The Reserves home fixture to Cardiff City on Tuesday was called off due to bad weather. It left boss Bobby Williamson without the option of giving regular first-teamers Lee Hodges and Akos Buzsaky a run out ahead of the Cardiff game as the pair return from injury. Meanwhile, Dexter Blackstock came off the bench to score England's only goal in their victory over Sweden in the U19 game at Bury on Monday.
THE U18s won away at Rushden and Diamonds on Thursday in the Merit League South West Division, Luke Manley scoring the only goal.
PLYMOUTH Argyle women won away from home on Good Friday with a comprehensive 4-1 league triumph over Swindon Town. Fixtures - Championship: Sat Apr 2 (H) Cardiff City, Tues Apr 5 (H) Watford. Youth Alliance Merit Division: Sat Apr 2 (H) Oxford. Women's South West Combination: Sun Apr 3 (H) Swindon Town.