'Buzzing' Lee is Looking Up

LEE Cox believes he has the mentality to help the Pilgrims attain manager John Sheridan’s minimum aim of a place in the 2014-15 Sky Bet League 2 play-offs.

Midfielder Lee, 23, is rejoining Argyle on a two-year deal following a successful loan spell at Home Park from Swindon Town in the 2012-13 season, and, having kept in touch with his former – and, now, new – team-mates, he knows that John has already publicly set his sights on a top-seven finish next season.

He said: “I saw those comments and I thought ‘yes’. It’s a good target to set yourself. You have got to go for it. You have got to be strong mentally and dig out the results when you need to. So, it’s good to see that’s the mentality going into the start of the season.

“Seeing how well Argyle did last year compared to the year when I was here, they are a team pushing for that promotion, and I’ve had two promotions – one with Swindon in the second half of the [2011-12] season and one at Inverness. I understand what that mentality is to get promotion and, the player I am, I always want to win so, hopefully, things go right next year.”

Lee did not take much time to finalise his move back to the Westcountry after agreeing to part company with League 1 Swindon at the end of last season. His previous Argyle spell of ten matches – cut short by a shoulder injury – saw the Pilgrims win five times and draw twice.

He said: “Although it was a relegation battle, I enjoyed every minute of it. There were some tough games, but I got here, got playing, and we got some good results. It ended with the injury but I went away saying ‘I had a wicked time there – I’d love to go back and play for them.’

“I loved the place and heard about an interest in coming back, so straight away, I said ‘Yes’. A lot of the time last year, I wanted to come back. It didn’t happen, but I stayed patient and eventually got here.”

One of a handful of first-team appearances Lee made last season was in a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at the County Ground against Argyle.

He said: “It was good seeing all the lads back. They played very well against us. It brought memories back of what a time I had the season before. I’ve always kept my eye on how the team is doing and I wanted to come back.”

He admitted the lure of the Pilgrims was partly down to the manager, a fellow central midfielder who made an impression during Lee’s previous Home Park spell.

“During the time I was here just little inputs of what he does in training helped me out,” he said, “so, seeing what he can give the players and his understanding, I’ve no doubt he will help me with my career.”