What a way to win a game on your debut! 

In our fourth game of the 2023/24 Championship season, Blues looked to continue their impressive start to the campaign against newly promoted, Plymouth Argyle, who sat 11th at the start of the day. 

The three of us headed down, myself, my dad, and my mum today! Jack was at Leeds festival (of course), so my mum had the chance to come to the game with us. Perhaps a lucky charm? 

We got off to a great start. Scott Hogan scoring his first goal of the season inside the first ten minutes of the game. Very much a confidence player, all of us know that, so hopefully that will be the first of many this season! Right after a good opportunity for Plymouth too. Working the ball well down the left hand side and dropping kindly to Morgan Whittaker who poorly thrashed it wide. 

In front at the break, but the visitors got back into it after a good start to the second half. Ryan Hardie grabbing the equalising goal. Ruddy had his work cut out and managed to palm away the initial attempt by Whittaker but were all just a tad slow to react on the rebound. It was coming, and the Argyle support thoroughly enjoyed it. 

It was Plymouth’s half to be fair, we had very little for us going forward. On many occasions, we had the ball going forward but there just wasn't anyone to hit. 

Plymouth perhaps should’ve nicked it in the end but just as it was in the first half, Blues took their big chance. Super-sub, Jay Stansfield, launched a late stunner with practically the last kick of the game. The former Exeter man coming back to haunt the Green army, taking home all three points with a debut goal! 

I was certainly in shock as I honestly thought he'd missed at first. From the way it hit the back of the net I thought perhaps it'd gone over the bar and hit the stantion, and waited for the disappointed groans to kick in. 

We were treated to a Miyoshi blinder last week at Ashton Gate but this one beats it. The way he takes it round Gibson and having the courage to shoot first time, it's what I've wanted in a striker since we sold Che. 

James Beattie, coach when Adams was at the club, clearly taught him to shoot on sight. Makes it obvious why he scored so many that season. So with Stansfield taking the initiative to shoot straightaway rather than taking it in gives me hope he can be a threat, a goalscorer for us this season. 

The keeper had no chance and very few other keepers would either, so if there's anything to take from that great goal, it's to just shoot. Something Keshi Anderson needs to improve on! He worked hard as usual but again some great opportunities for him to test the keeper today which he chose not to. I'm sure he's more than capable at finding the back of the net too, and if one were to smack the back of the net, his confidence to take more on would increase too. 

Still undefeated, Cardiff in the cup next, Millwall after that, this season has been spectacular so far. Long may it continue! 

Keep Right On