Plymouth Argyle 0, Newcastle United 0

Jan 4 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Nevertheless, the biggest disappointment on the day was Pancrate. It was the French winger’s first start for the club since signing as a free agent back in November and he did nothing to prove he deserves a regular starting berth.

The 29-year-old, released by Paris Saint Germain in the summer, scored a magnificent goal against Watford last month. But he missed two wonderful opportunities against Plymouth, completely mis-kicking on the edge of the six-yard box from Ryan Taylor’s free-kick, before failing to convert an equally pinpoint cross from Ameobi when his first touch rolled into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Newcastle’s lack of goals from their strikers is a worry for manager Chris Hughton. Since Marlon Harewood returned to Aston Villa after the Boxing Day draw at Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle have failed to score and they do need to bolster their firepower this month.

That is likely to be done with the signing of Leeds’ prolific goalscorer Jermaine Beckford – who scored the winner against Manchester United yesterday – rather than Harewood. But Beckford will still have much to prove with most of his 74 goals coming in League One.

The Magpies did have other chances. Coloccini pulled a good one wide when Plymouth failed to clear the danger at a corner after Danny Guthrie had forced a good save from Romain Larrieu. The Plymouth goalkeeper, under worked in the second half, did even better to deny Nicky Butt a late winner when he somehow adjusted his body to tip a dipping shot on to the crossbar.

Hughton is likely to select a similar team when Argyle come to St James’ Park given the priority promotion has been given this year. It is a job they should be confident of finishing at the second attempt.