Tony Pulis comparison unavoidable after Plymouth Argyle’s January business | OneFootball

The Greens have added plenty of height and physicality to their squad ahead of the rest of the Championship season

As another giant filled the doorframe of the entrance to Home Park throughout the recent winter transfer window, Plymouth Argyle fans will have had more than a sense of deja vu regarding their January business.

A Pilgrims side that is compact, filled to the brim with players six foot and over, and willing to fight tooth and nail for every point on offer like their lives depended on it, is this Tony Pulis’ side all over again?

If Miron Muslic produces similar results to the former Stoke City boss’s time in the southwest, then he could be on to a winner, with the Greens never in any threat of relegation from the second tier during his time at the club back in the 05/06 season, with his attritional brand of football doing what was required of it to pick up results on a regular basis.

While entertainment and goals weren’t always in high supply, points most definitely were, and if that works this time around under the Austrian, there will be plenty of jovial Janners by the time May comes around.

Miron Muslic puts stamp on Plymouth Argyle squad during transfer window

While Michael Baidoo and Tymoteusz Puchacz were signed before Muslic took to the dugout at Home Park, the three signings after the former Cercle Brugge boss took over point to the development a side that is going to be capable of winning the physical battle with any side in the division.

First off, we have record signing Maxi Taloveirov, who joined the club from LASK in the final week of the transfer window, and already looks to be a fan favourite at Home Park after an impressive debut against West Bromwich Albion last time out.

The Ukrainian international commanded his backline like a gladiator during the 2-1 victory over the Baggies, and visibly loves defending with every fibre of his being, as Albion found out across the 90 minutes in Devon.

Standing at six foot four, the defender won’t be losing many aerial duels, and will pose a considerable threat at the other end, with the delivery of Puchacz proving to be a further threat that will hark back to Pulisball and the love of set-piece situations.

Standing alongside Talovierov in the backline last weekend was Nikola Katic, with the 28-year-old joining on loan from Zurich for the remainder of the campaign, and is a player that gives off the impression that he would happily bit the opposition’s tibia in two if he was given the chance, for he looks to take no prisoners when defending his goal.

While he looks more than capable with the ball at his feet, the former Rangers man happily stood up to what was thrown his way against Tony Mowbray’s side, and with Julio Pleguezuelo making up the back three, Argyle have three warriors capable of battling their way to victory.

The third, and last addition to the squad was Malachi Boateng - brother of former Argyle player Hiram - with the combative midfielder joining from Hearts on a three-and-a-half-year deal on transfer deadline day.

Muslic has already commented on the 22-year-old’s physicality as being a major part in why he wanted to bring him to the club this winter, while his focus on doing the dirty work in the middle of the park will give Argyle a solid base to build from, and give that defence even more support as he mops up just in front of them.

While there could be arguments made for extra firepower up top, the return of Muhamed Tijani will be warmly welcomed by Muslic - a man who craves a focal point to his attack - with the man in the dugout hoping the Slavia Prague loanee can make up for reportedly missing out on Notts County frontman Alassana Jatta during the transfer window.

From trying to play eye-catching football under Wayne Rooney, to the blood and snotters approach that looks set to be in motion under the new manager, Argyle will need to transition fast, and these new additions will help to shape a team unwilling to give up in their quest of staying in the second tier, with the Green Army likely to cast their eye back to 19 years ago for a comparable style of play.

Miron Muslic approach will remind Plymouth Argyle of Tony Pulis era

There aren’t many managers in the game that are as synonymous with a style of play than Pulis, whose love for a big man all over the pitch had its admirers and detractors during his time in the dugout, but you can’t argue that it didn’t pick up results.

With just 39 goals scored and 46 goals conceded through that 2005/06 campaign, matches were boiled down to their finest margins with the Welshman in charge, with ten goals ending with one goal to either side, and another eight remaining goalless after 90 minutes.

After the failure of Bobby Williamson before him, Pulis’ approach took things right back to the basics in Devon, with Mickey Evans leading the line up top, David Norris busting a gut all over the park, and Paul Wotton enforcing matters at the back, with their attitudes never wavering across the season.

This was a side that wanted to prove people wrong and rub their noses in it, a team that didn’t worry about reputations or previous glories, they were there for a battle, and unwilling to give a single inch in doing so.

Lilian Nalis added further steel in midfield, while even the rogue addition of Vincent Pericard had its benefits, with the Frenchman netting a hat-trick on his first Home Park start, while adding even more height to an already lofty starting eleven.

It was a group that was more than the sum of its parts, and that is what Muslic will be trying to recreate in the next few months, with a togetherness and unity worth so much at times like these.

The Green Army are back on their side, and home feels like home again, and as their team full of fighters take to the pitch from now on, Argyle are a side that have started to believe once again.