Plymouth Argyle vs Bristol City live updates

LIVEUpdated 3 mins agoPlymouth Argyle vs Bristol City LIVE: Updates, build-up and team news from Home Park friendlyLive updates from Home Park as Michael Skubala's Bristol City face Plymouth Argyle in a pre-season friendly (2:00pm kick-off)SportDaniel CarterHello and welcome to this afternoon's live blog, where we will be bringing you live updates from Home Park and then St James Park as Bristol City and Michael Skubala face Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City in a pre-season double-header.

It has been just a couple of days since the Robins were last in action, with Tuesday's visit of Newcastle United an evening to remember. Skubala's side claimed their second friendly win of the summer as they ran out 4-1 winners against Premier League opposition at Ashton Gate.

Today, however, they finalise their preparations for the new season with a trip to Home Park. In their first friendly of the day, they will take on Tom Cleverley's Pilgrims, who finished last season eighth in League One, missing out on a place in the play-offs by just two points.

Then, the City boss and his coaching staff - as well as the press and supporters - will make the quick trip up the M5 to St James Park where Exeter will be waiting for the Robins. Matt Taylor's Grecians will ply their trade in League Two this term, having been relegated last season.

When the Reds last faced Argyle in a competitive fixture last January, the points were shared in a 2-2 draw. City haven't played Exeter City in a competitive game since September 2020, when goals from Jamie Paterson and Antoine Semenyo secured bragging rights for the Robins.

You can follow all the action as it happens across both matches here...

New UpdatesKey EventsBristol City team news as Michael Skubala names first team of the dayView PostToday13:48 BSTThat's that for the warm-upWell we're only quarter of an hour or so from getting underway at Home Park and that fact signals the end of Bristol City's warm-up. Behind Jason Knight, the Robins make their way past the away end and back down the tunnel.

There's a good amount of City fans here today, considering this is the first and furthest away of today's two matches.

Daniel CarterToday13:43 BSTWho will be on free-kicks today?Now here is the real question. Both Scott Twine and Sam Greenwood are on the pitch at the same time, so who is going to take Bristol City's free-kicks this afternoon?

Greenwood will no doubt fancy his chances after Wednesday night, but there aren't many people who can push Twine away from a dead-ball. It will be interesting to see.

Daniel CarterToday13:36 BSTAlex Ball working with the youngstersThe Bristol City coach has found himself working with what is an incredibly young selection of subs today, while the rest of the team - including Elijah Morrison - continue their warm-up.

The Robins' entire bench is made up of academy prospects, and Lewis Thomas, today.

Daniel Carter‌Today13:31 BSTLooks like James Ellis is down by the dugoutIt is still rather quiet inside Home Park at this stage and I can see what appears to be Scott Murray, James Ellis and Plymouth Argyle's Derek Adams in conversation down inside the City dugout.

Granted, I can only see the back of what I assume in the Reds' sporting director's head, but it looks like the back of his head. Adams, who is perhaps best known as a manager, is Argyle's director of football.

Daniel CarterToday13:25 BSTHere come the City squadJason Knight is first out of the tunnel and onto the pitch as the Robins appear for their warm-up. It looks like they will be in red and white this afternoon, that's certainly what they're wearing in the warm-up.

We're about 35 minutes away from getting going here.

Daniel CarterToday13:23 BSTWe've made it to our seatSomeone has switched off the sun. I thought it was always meant to be sunny in the south? Plymouth hasn't seemed to get the memo.

Daniel Carter‌Today13:11 BSTWho isn't here then?Just with one eye on this afternoon's later game, we've taken a chance to round-up those who aren't involved at Home Park.

Daniel CarterToday13:06 BSTHas Michael Skubala found his best team?The lack of any real change from Wednesday night suggests to me that the side starting against Argyle this afternoon may be what Michael Skubala views as his best team, heading into the start of the season.

Of course, it is a squad game and others will naturally have roles to play, but I'd expect City to look something like that come Millwall in a fortnight's time.

Daniel CarterToday13:03 BSTStrong City teamI make that one change from the team that got the better of Newcastle United on Wednesday evening. Tomi Horvat is replaced by Scott Twine, who we expect to play off of the right flank.

Lorent Tolaj is back to face his former club, as is Adam Randell, who starts in the middle of the park.

Daniel Carter‌Today13:02 BSTHow the home side startDaniel CarterToday13:00 BSTBristol City team news as Michael Skubala names first team of the dayDaniel CarterToday12:48 BSTWill be 1pm for team newsWe're assuming more than a little bit here, but we can safely suggest that it will likely be 1pm for team news today. 12:45 has passed and we haven't had confirmation yet so it will likely come in around 12 minutes time.

I'm expecting both teams to be reasonably strong for today's games. A real blend across the two, rather than one strong and one weak side.

Daniel Carter‌Today12:40 BSTLittle bit of transfer news that has been confirmedJamie Knight-Lebel will, once again, spend the season away from Ashton Gate on loan.

Daniel CarterToday12:38 BSTBristol City's latest transfer stanceWhile we caught up with Michael Skubala at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, the Bristol City boss did provide the latest transfer update from the City camp.

While he wasn't giving too much away, he did explain that the Robins still want to make further signings, as he outlined their current stance.

You can read his quotes in full HERE...

Daniel CarterToday12:33 BSTTeam news isn't too far awayI believe, and I may well be wrong, teams will be shared an hour before kick-off, which means that we should be around 25 minutes or so from finding out how the Robins will set-up in the first of today's matches.

Daniel Carter‌Today12:27 BSTExclusive interview with Jed WallaceDuring the Robins' Giving Back Day, we had the pleasure of spending a little bit of time in the company of summer signing Jed Wallace, who was in fine form as he discussed a range of different topics.

The winger discussed his ties with Bristol, 'murmurs' of interest from the Reds under Lee Johnson, leaving West Brom, having plenty to offer and how City can change people's lives.

You can read the interview, in full, HERE...

Daniel CarterToday12:22 BSTHighlights from Wednesday night's gameTo get you in the mood, why not re-live the fun of Wednesday night. More of the same today please lads...

Daniel CarterToday12:13 BSTWhat is Bristol City's plan for today?If you're like me, the thought of organising a day like today will fill you with dread. In all honesty, it just seems an incredibly complicated task, playing two games, even if the upside is the fact your full squad can play a full game.

Michael Skubala explained, to a degree, how the Robins will tackle today's events HERE...

Daniel Carter‌Today12:07 BSTCould be one or two returns todayOf course, we don't quite know exactly how Bristol City will spread their squad across the two games today, but there is a very real chance that one or two former Argyle players could turn out for the Robins this afternoon.

Lorent Tolaj, of course, joined City from the Pligrims this summer. The year before, Adam Randell made the same switch. I'd expect both players to get a good reception if they play today.

Daniel CarterToday12:01 BSTLatest injury news from the Bristol City campAt the moment, we're not quite back into the swing of pre and post-match press conferences. As a result, the last time we heard from Michael Skubala was on Wednesday evening, after the win over Newcastle United.

He provided the latest injury update from the City camp, including a little bit on Tomi Horvat, Emil Riis and Yu Hirakawa.

You can read that, in full, HERE...

Daniel CarterToday11:55 BSTAre you making the trip today?We've linked a post from my X account a little bit higher up the blog so please get in touch if you're coming to either of the matches today. If you're doing both... you must have really been impressed by Wednesday night.

If you can't attend, we'll keep you in the loop.

Daniel Carter‌Today11:52 BSTIt has been a little while since we were last hereDaniel CarterToday11:46 BSTA special few days in south BristolBefore our attention turns to matters on the pitch, we should touch on what has been a special few days in south Bristol. Thursday was the Robins' first 'Giving Back Day' - a day which saw Michael Skubala, his staff and his squad head out into the City community on various visits.

Jed Wallace, Sam Greenwood and Seb Naylor made the short trip to Children's Hospice South West at Charlton Farm with assistant manager Ian Burchnall. Bristol Live were lucky enough to join them on their visit.

You can read all about it HERE...

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Daniel CarterToday11:37 BSTGood morning!Morning City fans! Happy weekend and happy Devon double-header day. I have to say, I've had this one marked on my calendar for much of the last month in equal parts excitement and dread. It is going to be a long and busy day, but who cares when there's football involved.

To start, we are at Home Park for Bristol City versus Plymouth Argyle, the first of two friendlies played today. As soon as the whistle goes, we will be flying out to the car park in order to get to Exeter City as quickly as possible.

Let's hope it is a good day.