Meet Matt

MATT Parsons’ move to Home Park has been a long time coming, and Argyle’s new signing cannot wait to make up for lost time.

There had been hopes that defender Matt, who signed for the Pilgrims on Friday morning from Crystal Palace, might join Argyle in the close-season.

However, an unexpected and untimely illness meant a spell on the sidelines for the London-born left-back, delaying more than just a change of clubs.

“I just wanted to get out and play some games,” said Matt, 22, “and when I knew Plymouth were interested, I was on it straight away. I was working hard all pre-season; then all the work I did just went to pot because I was ill.

“I had a little complaint in my kidneys and was in hospital for five days, and couldn’t play football for two months. I was on medication after that, so I haven’t really had much game-time from then until now.”

However, Argyle manager John Sheridan’s interest did not wane and, on Friday, Matt became the second Palace player in the current transfer window to make the permanent switch to Home Park, following former Selhurst Park team-mate Jason Banton west.

“He’s been here before and knows the area,” said Matt. “He told me about the manager, the players, everyone at the club, and I came to watch the game last Saturday and was impressed. I never knew how good the stadium was – it’s really nice.”

Although primarily a defender, Matt is not averse to subscribing to manager John Sheridan’s attacking philosophy.

“I do defend – I’m not forgetting about that – but I like to get forward as much as I can," he said. “I think that’s the strongest part of my game, my energy.”

Matt has gone straight into the squad to face Rochdale at Spotland on Saturday in the Pilgrims’ Sky Bet League 2 match – a division he knows well – but is aware there is no easy route into the starting line-up while teenager Ben Purrington is in such good form.

He said: “I had two loan spells in League 2, one at Barnet and one at Wycombe, so I know what to expect.

“I know the young kid has been doing well at left-back so my aim is to force my way into the team and start playing well. Hopefully, we can make the play-offs; we’re not too far away.

“It seems like a club that’s on the up.”