Hustling Hamza

ARGYLE midfielder Hamza Bencherif is “fighting to get into the team”, says Pilgrims’ manager John Sheridan.

John also thinks that the 25-year-old French-born Algerian international – who is on a short-term  contract at Home Park which expires in January – is playing catch-up after missing out on a properly planned pre-season training routine.

After a scoring debut in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy first-round success at Cheltenham in early September, Hamza made a further five starts. Since then, his role has been confined to bit-parts.

“I think you can see he hasn’t done a pre-season,” said John. “I know he trained with one or two clubs before he came to us, but I think you can identify players when they haven’t done one. It’s a big part of getting your game right and for being as fit as possible throughout the season. He’s playing a bit of catch-up.

“To be fair, he’s a good lad and works very hard in training. I still think he’s a little bit behind the rest of the lads, but he trains properly and wants to do well, and he’s fighting to get in the team.

“He’s played a few games and hasn’t done anything wrong, but I can’t pick everyone. I just go with whatever team and whatever formation will get us a result.”