Pay It Forward

MATT Lecointe has spoken of his desire to repay John Sheridan after the Argyle manager handed him a new one-year deal.

Forward Matt, 19, missed the whole of last season after suffering a knee-ligament injury in a pre-season friendly but his reputation and glimpses seen on the training-ground in the last few weeks of the 2013-14 campaign persuaded John to offer him a new contract.

“It’s nice to know that the manager has got confidence in you to give you another one-year deal, so I’m hoping I can repay him and score some goals,” said Matt, who made 30 appearances for his hometown club in the two seasons before his injury.

“Everything feels fine. There have been no setbacks. I just hope that continues.”

Only one of his previous appearances has come during John’s stewardship, and Matt is looking forward to working again with a manager who has already targeted the play-offs as a minimum aim for 2014-15.

“It’s all looking really positive for next season,” said Matt. “You have always got to look to improve, whatever you do, whatever job you’re in. If we can get promotion next season, it will be dream come true for the club.

“He is very demanding, and that’s what you need if you are going to improve, especially as a young player: if you have got someone who’s not telling you what you need to do, how are you going to get better?

“My aim is just to try to play as much football for Plymouth Argyle; to score as many goals as I can. But my first target is just to get through pre-season, stay fit. After that, I’ll reassess things.”

When he does return to pre-season, Matt will be sharing a dressing-room with fellow young Plymothian, midfielder River Allen, who signed his first pro contract the day before Matt inked his own deal.

“I’ve been playing for Argyle since I was eight years old and I think River is about the same,” he said. “There’s nothing better; it is what you’ve always wanted to do. He deserves it and I’m happy for him.”