Plymouth Argyle are about to enter a six-match programme that could see them consolidating their mid-table position, sink into the relegation zone, or rise to the dizzy heights of the play-off. Which ever way it goes it will not be a dull journey. First up tomorrow are Stoke City, in their fifth year under Icelandic control. They have 6ft 6in former Dutch international and Chelsea goalkeeper Ed de Goey within their ranks. And with Carla Asaba, Adi Akinbiyi and Noel Gifton-Williams, Argyle's defence is sure to be given a bit of a battering. Former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry is in the middle of a three-month loan spell from Leeds United. Stoke are currently two points above Argyle in ninth place but have difficulty in scoring goals – only 15 in their 19 games to date, which underlines why they have draw five of their away games. There's good and bad news on the injury front, with Tony Capaldi coming through an hour for the reserves in a mid week friendly at Weymouth which Argyle won 2-1, while striker Marino Keith lasted just 15 minutes on his return from an ankle injury before going off with a hip injury. Paul Connolly and Steve Adams played the full 90 minutes, with Keith Lasley completing 75 minutes. The goals came from youngsters Scott Laird and Chris Zebroski. Manager Bobby Williamson, who is believed to be looking for another striker, could keep to the same team for the third successive match, although I suspect Evans and Crawford will start, with Lee Makel and Tony Capaldi also featuring. It may need a bit of guile to break down a stubborn Stoke City defence. The last time Argyle played Stoke was in April 1993, which ended in a 1-0 away defeat, in Stokes Division Two championship winning season. Argyle have to go back to October 1989 for their last victory, a 3-0 win where Kevin Hodges and Tommy Tynan notched up a goal apiece. Tynans notched a hat trick against the Potters the previous season. Next up for the Pilgrims is another long-time league reunion at Leicester City. The last time the pair met was in January 1992, when Argyle drew 2-2 in front of just 5,846 fans before dropping into the Third Division. Burnley are the next visitors to Home Park, where Argyle last beat them 3-2 in January 1994. The last time the teams met was in May 1998 when Burnley where 2-1 victors, to complete an unbeaten run of six matches against the Pilgrims. Then it's off to Crewe Alexandra where Dario Gradis side inflicted a 3-1 home defeat on Argyle in March last year. Mouth watering home matches against Derby County and Queens Park Rangers follow. Argyle last met Derby in the 1998/99 FA Cup campaign when the Midlanders progressed to the fourth round with a 3-0 win. Prior to that the pair last met in the 1991/92 season, Derby winning 2-1 after the pair drew 1-1 at Home Park. Manager Williamson can't wait to meet up with Queens Park Rangers again after the Londoners won the opening match 3-2, a match where manager Ian Holloway recently said on Sky TV 'I still dont know how we beat Argyle that day'. The U18s got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win at Bristol Rovers where Scott Laird and Chris Reski were the scorers, with the U16s completing a double when goals from Lee Smythe, Dan Parkes, Ryan Moon and Anthony Mason saw them come from behind twice to win 4-2. Moon was due to captain Wales against Northern Ireland in Ballymena yesterday in the Victory Shield. Plymouth Argyle Ladies came through a tough Women's FA Cup tie 3-2 at Oxford City where Laura Perrett scored twice and Louisa Stentiford-Crook the other. Argyle travel to Cardiff City Bluebirds in the third round. Argyle receive Exeter City on Sunday at Elburton FC. Fixtures - Coca-Cola Championship Sat Nov 20 Stoke City (H) 3pm Reserves: Tues Nov 23 Cheltenham Town (A) 2pm U18: Sat Nov 20 Swansea City (H) 11am. U16s: Sat Nov 20 Exeter City (A) 11am. Argyle ladies: Sun Nov 21 Exeter City (H) 2pm, Devon Womens Cup
