Plymouth Argyle are sitting proudly on the top of the League One table, and one of the influencing factors behind their improved form is former Blue James Wilson!
He played just 40 times for Town before the big clear-out saw him shown the exit door. The question is, was this a mistake? Of all the players who were sent packing by Ipswich manager Paul Cook, he was the one who I least expected to leave. I thought he hardly put a foot wrong but of course, we don’t know what he was like off the field because that sort of thing stays firmly behind closed doors.
He began his career at Portman Road by signing a short-term contract until the 1st of January, 2020 but after making just eight for the club and impressing in all of them, he signed an 18-month extension in October 2019, which kept him at the club until 2021.
In his first season in a Town shirt, he made 31 appearances for the Blues, scoring twice against Accrington Stanley and a week later against his former club Lincoln City. I always viewed him as a solid enough central defender, and Wilson’s impressive performances got him the Ipswich Player of the Year award in 2021! What was even more remarkable was that he missed a fair chunk of that season due to a knee injury, which had kept him out of action for around four months.
On 10 May 2021, Ipswich announced that Wilson would be released following the end of his contract with the club, and in came The Pilgrims. He seems to have slotted in perfectly into his new home. At 32, he is a very experienced centre-back and we will see on Saturday, when we visit Plymouth, just why he has kept his place in their team. As a unit, they seem very compact at the back and have lots of goals in their team – scoring just three goals less than us but giving away less than a goal a game.
Plymouth have lost only once this season after 15 matches, and that was a 2-0 away loss to Rotherham United, so we know that the game on Saturday will be a big test for everyone. The former Welsh international will have something to prove, and whether Macauley Bonne & Co can prize open their defence – whilst we keep ours intact, might just determine who wins this encounter.
To true Frank. Based on his playing record at Portman Road, James Wilson did not deserve to be shown the door!
As you say, other factors may have come into play but yes, strange decision on the face of it by PC.
Looking ahead to our next two matches. I think we will draw 1-1 at Plymouth and beat Wycombe 2-1.
Let’s hope I’m right as that would have us right back in the play offs mix.
Indeed it would Richard, indeed it would. I would be more than happy with a draw at Plymouth, but I think we might sneak it 1-2, and as for Wycombe, I suspect a 1-1 draw.
Our points tallies are identical, but where we get them from contrasts. Let’s see, for the fun of it, who is right!?
Greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmy!
Are you happy with James Wilson Tommy, and do you think he was a good acquisition? Have you watched him play, and what do you think he brings to your team? I would be interested to know before we face him again on Saturday. By the way, I am delighted for you and your club that you are defying all expectations and doing so well in League One this season.