Plymouth Argyle still have big Stockport County, Stevenage issue in League One play-off race | OneFootball

Plymouth may have the momentum in this League One play-off race, but their destiny isn't in their hands

Plymouth Argyle are comfortably the third-best team in League One in 2026, and if not for a disastrous start to the season, when they were in the relegation zone in December, they'd be running Cardiff City close in this automatic promotion race.

In fact, the Pilgrims are actually second in the 2026 third-tier table, having picked up three more points than Brian Barry-Murphy's side, even with the Bluebirds playing an extra game.

Heading into the final seven games of their campaign, Plymouth are seventh and are by far and away the form team in League One outside the 22-game unbeaten Lincoln City side.

Many would expect that Tom Cleverley's side would find it easy to climb into the play-offs come the end of the season, but the reality is, even if they won all of their games between now and May 2nd, there's a small chance that may not be enough to find themselves in a position to secure a Championship return.

Stevenage and Stockport County have games in hand over Plymouth Argyle

Putting it plainly, Plymouth's play-off destiny is not in their hands, as the two sides in fifth and sixth, Stockport County and Stevenage, not only have one more point than Tom Cleverley's side, but they also have at least one game in hand.

Stevenage have eight games still to play this season, while Stockport have nine, having their away trip to AFC Wimbledon postponed back in October due to international call-ups, and Mansfield Town's progression to the FA Cup's fifth round forced that game to be moved, too.

Therefore, Plymouth could have a four-point gap to make up between themselves and Stevenage across a seven-game period, and a six-point gap between themselves and Stockport.

Granted, Dave Challinor's side have undergone an almighty slump in form recently, winning just two of their last seven games, and that has opened the door for the chasing pack to target them heading into the run-in, but everyone knows the quality that Stockport has, and there is no ruling out the possibility that the Hatters can rediscover some good form between now and May.

Meanwhile, after looking like they were going to fade away following a great start to the campaign, Alex Revell's Stevenage side have turned a corner recently, winning six of their last nine, including wins against Stockport, Huddersfield Town and Reading.

Their solid defence always gives them a chance in games, and they'll feel some confidence knowing that their top six place is in their own hands going into the final month of the campaign.

So, while Plymouth have the momentum, they're still chasing a spot in the post-season action, which wouldn't have been the ideal outcome given their near-perfect form over the last three to four months.

Plymouth Argyle just have to replace just one of the four ahead of them — they have the momentum to do it

While it's an issue that Plymouth aren't currently in the top six, and don't have their play-off hopes in their own hands going into the final seven games of the campaign, the inconsistencies surrounding those currently in the top six should fill the Pilgrims with confidence that they can usurp one of them, even if time is running out.

It's not just Stockport and Stevenage that Plymouth will be targeting, as Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City, who have played the same number of games as them, have started to falter recently, too, with both winless in three.

Now, Plymouth only have a six-point gap to Bradford, and a seven-point one to Bolton, and given the form of the three, there's no denying that Tom Cleverley's side could end up finishing above those two as well!

The Pilgrims have both Bradford and Bolton still to play between now and the end of the season, too, so it's definitely not out of the realm of possibility, especially if Tom Cleverley's side can pick up big wins in those games.

The focus for Plymouth in the final month of the campaign, though, will be to focus on themselves and get above just one of the four ahead of them. If they do that, then there may be nothing stopping them in the play-offs.