The Right Place

HAVING filled a variety of roles during his career, Drew Talbot believes that his most comfortable and his favourite role is the right wing-back position.

Adaptable Drew linked up with Argyle manager John Sheridan for the second time in his career last month, coming to Home Park on loan from Chesterfield, and has started all three Pilgrims’ games since his arrival. 

Though not all in the same position: he was a right midfielder at Hartlepool; at left wing-back in his home debut against Accrington; and switched to the right wing-back role for Argyle’s 2-0 Sky Bet League 2 win away to Wycombe on Tuesday. 

“I enjoyed it, and fingers crossed that I can stay in the team,” said the footballing Swiss Army knife, who has high hopes of keeping his favoured role on the right-hand side. “Right wing-back is the perfect position for me. I’m more comfortable where I played the other day or at right back, I think. The older I’ve got, I’ve had to settle down in a positon.

“I can play either side. I was a bit rusty at left wing-back. People don’t think that it’s much different, but it really is.” 

For Drew to keep the right wing-back position against Cambridge United at Home Park this Saturday, it would mean having to fend off the claims of Kelvin Mellor, who had started all Argyle’s 29 league matches before Tuesday night’s trip to Buckinghamshire. 

Drew believes that the competition for a starting slot will bring the best out of both players. He said: “I’ve played in teams where players expect to play because they haven’t got much competition but I think competition brings out the best in players. One foot wrong and you could be out of the team.”

Whether John Sheridan plays Drew at right wing-back, left wing-back, midfield or even up front – where he began his career at Sheffield Wednesday under Paul Sturrock – the Argyle manager knows what he will get.

“I’m going to give all I’ve got and if it’s not good enough, it’s not good enough - but you’ll get 100% effort,” he said.