Walsall free transfer has proven to be one of Plymouth Argyle’s wisest in decades: View
Joe Edwards once again came to Plymouth Argyle’s rescue with an injury-time winner, securing a 3-2 victory against Sunderland.
The 33-year-old capitalized on Anthony Patterson’s save from Kornel Szucs’ shot, scoring the decisive goal and igniting Home Park.
This marked Plymouth’s first Championship win under Wayne Rooney, with Edwards, who has become a club legend since joining from Walsall five years ago, rightfully delivering the victory.
Having started his career at Bristol City, Edwards has evolved into a lower-league standout, and his move to Plymouth has brought out the best in him.
Few would have thought that the 2019 arrival would go on to become such a prominent figure in the club’s history at the time, with his arrival initially seeing him feature in a defensive midfield role.
With Ryan Lowe taking over proceedings at the club in the summer, much was expected around Devon as the season got underway, with Edwards’ versatility being called into effect throughout the campaign.
Whether he was stuck in the middle, or utilised out on the right-hand side, both management and fanbase knew they could expect nothing less than 100% from their number eight, with his eagerness to fly into a tackle always warmly received.
That has been a trademark of Edwards’ game, and he has risen back through the divisions with Argyle, with his desire, passion, and outright willingness to win setting the standards for all of those that join him in the dressing room and on the pitch week in, week out.
You only have to look at an Argyle side without him in to witness the stark contrast across the field; there’s is no bite, no venom, no chewing the referee’s ear off, all traits that make Edwards worth his weight in gold for all he does for his side.
Joe Edwards proves he is the man for the big occasions
It’s not only without the ball that Edwards has proven himself to be an influential figure in Plymouth Argyle’s history, with his penchant for turning up when it matters the most underlining his importance to this current era of Argyle.
Whether it is in a promotion push or relegation scrap, there has been many a time when the Greens have been desperate for something to go their way, a goal out of nothing, and Edwards has so often been the man to deliver it.
The latest Sunderland offering is the prime example; with his extra desire to see him reach the ball first before his opposition defenders, and being in the right place to seize the moment when it matters the most.
That feeling of their captain turning up when it matters the most will be a familiar one for the Green Army, with vital strikes in the 2022/23 League One promotion run-in earning a return to the Championship, before Mr. Reliable popped up once again just four months ago to etch himself into Home Park folklore.
With their second tier status hanging by a thread, Argyle needed a win on the final day of the season to avoid an immediate return to League One, with Hull City the visitors.
While those watching on were a bag of nerves as the game got underway, they will have gained heart from the performance of their skipper, who put in a performance that the Janners in attendance will be talking about for eons.
Edwards was everywhere; crashing into tackles, surging forward with the ball, and just when they needed it the most, arriving at the back post to head home the only goal of the game.
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