Return Of The Mac

IT was only just over half an hour into Argyle’s home game with Northampton Town that a substitution was made...

...although the Green Army would have been saddened to see the lively Paris Cowan-Hall replaced because of injury, they would have been cheered to see the return of a popular figure.

Alex MacDonald was a major part of Argyle’s revival during last season, putting in many quality displays for the Pilgrims in a loan spell from Burnley.

Having played against us for the Clarets the previous Tuesday in the Capital One Cup, his parent club have allowed Argyle to borrow the busy 22-year-old once more, and again, back in Green, he put in an excellent display from the bench.

“Macca came down late Thursday night,” said manager Carl Fletcher, “He had the game on Tuesday and I was half thinking about whether to play him or not. I left him on the bench because I didn’t want him to have lethargy in the game.

“He can have a real impact. I didn’t think I’d be bringing him on in the first half, but I wanted him to have a freshness when I brought him on.”

Fletch moved for Macca as the clock before last Friday’s transfer deadline day, when the deal was completed.
 
“There are lots of players we were looking at,” he said, “and you ask people and get different comments and opinions, as well as your own.

“The main thing was we knew what we’d get with Macca. You minimise the risk because you know you’re going to get 100%.

“He’s got good technical ability, and he’s either going to create goals or score goals. We’re pleased that he wanted to come down. That’s a big bonus for us.

“With Macca, you get almost four players in one. He can play in midfield, out wide, up front. He’s a great option to have.”