Jordan Houghton looks ahead to Stoke

Argyle face Stoke City on Saturday, with former manager Steven Schumacher returning to Home Park for the first time since his departure in December.  

He brings his Potters team to Devon for the season’s fourth league game, with Argyle looking to pick their first victory of the campaign.  

Schumacher was the Argyle boss for a little over two years, including the 2022/23 season, as Argyle lifted the Sky Bet League One title.  

Midfielder Jordan Houghton, who had signed for the Greens in the summer of 2021, when Schumacher was still assistant manager to Ryan Lowe, was a major part of Schumacher’s tenure. In fact, of Schumacher’s 108 games in charge, Houghton played 97.  

Ahead of Saturday’s encounter, Houghton was asked to compare Schumacher with current Greens boss Wayne Rooney and his assistant Pete Shuttleworth.  

“I think they're both quite bubbly in themselves,” said Houghton. “You might not see it from a media point of view, but they are enthusiastic day-to-day and like to keep the place a happy place.  

“I spent two-and-a-half years with [Schumacher], and he got me to a point where I was probably playing some of the best football of my career.  

“I'm looking forward to seeing him, but that's going to be after the game because [priority] number one is our game against them. They're our rivals now, so hopefully it's all going to be handshakes after the game and happy chats because we've beaten them.  

“I'm sure there'll be some people that are still hurt in the fact that he left us midway through the season. I hope he gets a good reception, because the club are at this point now because of him.  

“We had a good team, and I think, fundamentally, a lot of it did come down to Schuey, and that got us to winning the league with 101 points. I'm sure there'll be a few boos as well, which I'm sure he'll take because I'm sure he'll expect it. 

“At the end of the day, that chapter is closed. This is the first time he's come back and I'm sure he's probably going to be nervous to come back into it, but that chapter is closed now.

"We're fully on board with this gaffer and looking to get that first league win.

“I think, for any football fan, [Rooney’s] pedigree speaks for itself.  

“It’s an inspiration, as a player, to look up to him and take on his knowledge. Although he was a striker, he eventually dropped into midfield later in his career and his football IQ is top.  

“He and Pete coming in have done really well so far. The players have taken to them, not just from a footballing point of view, just how they are as people. It's been a really refreshing start to the season. They've come in and got the place in a nice atmosphere, which is one of the most important things coming down here. 

“As long as they start off well from a from a people point of view, which they have, I think then that kind of gets the ball rolling.”