After back-to-back away games, the Shrimps return to the Mazuma Stadium on Friday 7 April when they take on Plymouth Argyle in Sky Bet League One.
Morecambe were beaten 5-0 by Barnsley in their last game, and in their most recent game at the Mazuma, Derek Adams’ side were held to a 1-1 draw by Oxford United.
Argyle were last in action on Sunday when they were beaten 4-0 by Bolton Wanderers at Wembley in the Papa Johns Trophy final.
The Opposition
The Pilgrims sit second in League One with 24 wins, eight draws and six defeats from 38 games.
Having been in League One since their promotion out of League Two in 2020, Argyle are looking for promotion out of the division this season, something they last achieved when they were crowned champions in 2004. They are three time third tier champions and have come runners up eight times in the division.
Steven Schumacher is in charge at Home Park and has been since Ryan Lowe departed for Preston North End in 2021. Schumacher was Lowe’s assistant and played as a midfielder for the likes of Bradford City, Crewe Alexandra and Bury. In his first season, the 38-year-old took charge of Plymouth in an FA Cup fourth round tie against Chelsea and saw his side drop into the play-off places on the final day of last season.
Key Players
Ryan Hardie has been Argyle's in-form man in front of goal so far this season. The Scotsman has 13 goals as well as three assists to-date. His last goal involvement was an assist in Plymouth’s last league game, a 2-0 win against Accrington Stanley. The 26-year-old began life in Devon on loan from Blackpool in 2020 and signed permanently in 2021.
Midfielder Finn Azaz has provided the creative spark for the Pilgrims so far this campaign with seven goals and seven assists in the current campaign. On loan from Aston Villa, the 22-year-old spent last season at Newport County and scored seven goals in 42 games, a goal tally he’s been able to equal this season in just 27 games.
Forward Morgan Whittaker has also been chipping in with plenty of goals for Argyle this season with nine as well as seven assists this season. The Swansea City loanee has also represented England from U16 through to U20 level.
Derek Adams’ Thoughts
Shrimps boss Derek Adams emphasised the importance of the final six games of the season, starting with Friday's visit of Plymouth Argyle.
“We’ve got to win every game between now and the end of the season,” he said.
“We’ve got a number of young players in the squad and we’ve taken in loans, and we’ve given ourselves a fighting chance with six game to go to stay in League One.”
Team News
Derek Adams has the majority of his squad available for selection on Friday aside from a few doubts.
Meet The Officials
Marc Edwards will referee Friday’s game and will be assisted by Chris Isherwood, Richard Woodward and fourth official Matt Corlett.
Edwards has officiated 24 games this season; 11 in League Two, nine in League One, three in the Papa Johns Trophy and one in the FA Cup.
The official last took charge of a Morecambe game in November when the Shrimps drew 1-1 with Derby County at the Mazuma.
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