Plymouth Argyle sent clear Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj transfer message as Celtic circle | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth Fan Pundit Luke has explained his analysis of reported interest in key strikers Bim Pepple and Lorent Tolaj.

Plymouth Argyle have been in brilliant form of late as the Pilgrims seek to crash into the top six and the play-off places in League One, and save what had appeared to be a very underwhelming season.

Having been relegated last season, Plymouth were expected to challenge for promotion this time around but, following the appointment of former Watford boss Tom Cleverley, the first-half of this campaign was woeful and even threatened to be a relegation battle.

However, the Devon-based outfit have turned it around of late with a 5-2 defeat of league leaders Cardiff City at Home Park at the weekend, making it three victories on the bounce in which they have scored a combined total of 12 goals.

That leaves them now in the top-half of the table and just six points outside of the top six and the play-off places with a game-in-hand on sixth-place Huddersfield Town.

Key to their recent improvement has been the performances of striking duo Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple, with the latter now reportedly the subject of interest from Championship clubs, as well as Turkish side Goztepe. Celtic, meanwhile, have been linked with both players.

Plymouth should cash in on Bim Pepple before Lorent Tolaj

Having arrived from Port Vale for a fee believed to be in the region of £1.2 million last summer, Lorent Tolaj has proven himself to be one of the best strikers in League One with 14 goals in his 26 matches leaving him fourth in the scoring charts behind Kyle Wootton, Jack Marriott and Dominic Ballard.

Bim Pepple had started the season slowly but also now beginning to shine, too, after moving to Devon from Luton Town last summer.

The Kettering-born striker, who played for Getafe’s youth side and turned professional in Canada with Cavalry FC, is now in excellent form but FLW’s Plymouth Fan Pundit Luke Hodge still believes that the Pilgrims should cash in on him ahead of Tolaj.

Luke says: “I think it is a real credit to both players that they are attracting interest from higher level clubs. That doesn’t happen by accident, and it is testimony to their consistency and the qualify of their performances this season.

“For me, Tolaj is still the key asset at Argyle. He’s the more complete number nine right now. He’s strong, reliable, good hold up play, intelligent with his movement and relentless work rate – and probably his biggest attribute is that he’s got a ruthless finishing edge.

“He’s a real difference maker and he’s only 24. He’s going to get better and better.

“Bim Pepple, though, he’s running him very close at the moment. His form has been exceptional and what has really stood out is his form timing of making runs into the box, catching up with his physical attributes.

“He’s gone from raw potential to an impact forward in a matter of almost weeks and that is exactly the profile that higher level club are looking for.

“If I had the luxury and had to make a choice then I’d cash in on Bim Pepple and keep Tolaj. Purely because of Tolaj’s all-round contribution and the way he elevates the team’s play.

“That said, I am realistic. I don’t see Tolaj staying unless we get promoted this season. Strikers with his blend of power, work rate and finishing don’t come around very often, and I’m confident that there will be a whole host of clubs in for in the summer; top Championship sides, even European clubs.

“As much as we’d like to keep him, and he’s clearly happy here, his ambition is understandable and if the right offer comes in it just might be something that both Argyle and the player simply can’t turn down.

“Our focus is simple, though. It is to keep on winning, keep developing and attack that last play-off spot and make Argyle the best possible platform for our players. If we do that then everything else tends to take care of itself.”

Plymouth have a real chance of promotion with Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple

As we approach the so-called ‘run in’ across the EFL, Plymouth find themselves in an excellent position to perhaps pinch the final spot in the top six from Huddersfield.

Huddersfield sacked manager Lee Grant and replaced him with Liam Manning in January but, despite what appeared to be a bit of a coup, the Terriers have remained inconsistent.

Argyle were a Championship club not so long ago and, despite a lot of change in their squad, they still have higher expectations of mid-table obscurity in League One.

A trip to the New York Stadium to take on relegation-threatened Rotherham United awaits for Cleverley’s men as they seek to continue to put pressure on the top six.