Plymouth Argyle gears up for Exeter Cup tie and eyes French talent

Plymouth Argyle will face Exeter City in a League Cup match on 10 August, with the Pilgrims holding a slight edge after five wins in their last ten meetings. Recent pre‑season form includes a 4‑1 friendly victory over Tavistock and a strong home record, while forward Bim Pepple returns after a hamstring setback. Manager Tom Cleverley is expected to rely on the squad’s momentum to turn Home Park into a fortress.

Former manager Tony Pulis has urged the club to broaden its scouting network to France, recalling successful early‑2000s signings such as David Friio and Romain Larrieu. Pulis suggested that lower‑division French players could provide affordable quality, a strategy he believes could boost Argyle’s chances in the 2026/27 League One campaign.