ARGYLE head coach Paul Mariner is thriving in the cauldron of a relegation battle.

Despite the pressure of our situation, the Captain of the Good Ship Pilgrim is enjoying the ride.

"This is what I do and what I love," he said. "This is my life. I love coming to work in the morning. I can't wait to come through the car park and go to training, and meeting everybody in the offices.

"I've got six or seven weeks of really hard work and then I'll have my holidays, which I'm looking forward to. I'll spend some time in the States and then around Europe looking for players.

"I wouldn't want to do anything else. I'm surrounded by goods people. The staff are fantastic and I have a wonderful Board, who are sympathetic to what's going on.

"I work with a great bunch of players, who can't wait to come to work and get on the training ground.

"We all know we're in trouble but I was down the Barbican last night, and everybody was saying nice things, so I'm very happy."