Early Settle

ARGYLE’S pre-season training for the 2015-16 season has begun - and Lee Cox is already encouraged by what he has seen from his new manager and teammates.

Cox and the rest of the new-look squad rendezvoused for the first time today, with new additions Jake Jervis, Gary Sawyer, Graham Carey and Gregg Wylde all bedding in quickly, according to the midfielder.
 
“It was good to meet the new lads,” said Lee, “as well as see the lads that were here last season. It’s everything you can expect from a first day: nice and tough, lots of testing, but it’s been good.
 
“They seem like they’ve settled in already. They’re having a good laugh and they’re fit lads, so that’s good to see. I haven’t seen anything from them yet but I’m looking forward to working with them.”
 
The first day of drills at the University of St Mark and St John also signifies the first opportunity for all the players and their new boss, Derek Adams, to grow a working relationship, and Cox was encouraged by the actions of the players and manager alike. 
 
“Today he [Derek] had a good chat with everyone,” said Cox, “and had a good chat with people individually, so he’s got to know everyone dead quick.
 
“I think every player wants to cement their place, so everyone will be dying to impress the manager.”
 
The 25–year old and his peers will be purely focussed on fitness and readying themselves for the first pre-season friendly, away to Elburton Villa, next Tuesday. That being said, Lee can already sense the determination in the squad to build on last season’s successes once the new campaign gets underway against AFC Wimbledon on August 8.
 
“The games are what we’re here to do, so I can’t wait for the first game already,” said Cox.
 
“I think it’s too early to [set targets] yet. We’ve just got to get through each day of pre-season and stay fit, and then as the games come, we’ll speak a lot more about it.
 
“We were close to making the play-off final last year, so we have that same hunger again.”