A Good Reid

WITH Reuben Reid having been at Home Park for the best part of a year and a half, it is easy to forget that, while he will always be a Pilgrim, he is not an Argyle player.

Such is the affection in which the 25-year-old Bristolian is held by the Green Army that he became the first loan player to win the Player of the Year Award, which he received before Saturday’s home 1-1 Sky Bet League 2 draw with Hartlepool United.

After next weekend’s Dockyard Derby finale at Portsmouth, the 20-goal striker will return to his parent club, Yeovil, and an uncertain future, with his Huish Park contract up in the summer.

Manager John Sheridan and team-mate Jason Banton, scorer against Pools, both paid tribute to Reuben, who is the first Pilgrim for 21 seasons to score 20 goals in a campaign.

John said: “He has had a good season, obviously, with 20 goals – and he possibly should have even had more. You always need someone who is going to score 20 a season and, usually when I have had strikers, they have done that.

“Reuben is his own man; he still does things that I think he should do a lot better for him to step up, if he wants to. He has still got lots of things in his game I think he needs to improve on – that is just me being honest, and I have told Reuben that – but 20 goals is really good for him.

“I have had a lot of harsh words with Reuben, and I think I have given him a kick up the backside, and I think he has responded well.”

Jason said: “Goals always lift players. Whether you are a defender, forward or a midfielder, scoring a goal is the greatest feeling and always leads to confidence, as you can see with Reuben this season.

“I’m happy for Rubes. He has scored a lot of goals and got us to where we are, really. I do hope he stays on next season.

“That’s down to the player and the club. It’s got to be right for the player and the club, but hopefully that’s the outcome next season.”