Right Back On It

The arrival of Drew Talbot to Home Park during the January transfer window saw Mellor lose his spot at right wing back, featuring as no more than a substitute in the Pilgrims’ last four fixtures. The athletic defender returned to the first-team action in his usual position against the Cobblers, with Talbot pushed into an unfamiliar central midfield role. 

 

Without a hint of a lost step, Mellor played a big part in Argyle’s first goal, finding Bobby Reid with a cross, who laid off Anthony O’Connor to fire home and put the Greens ahead. Talbot, meanwhile, brought his usual liveliness with him to the middle of the park, busting a gut in the 86th minute to lead a counter-attack and play in Lewis Alessandra to secure the victory.

 

“Kelvin, since I’ve left him out, has trained really well,” said John.

 

“I said to him that I’ve got to find a place [in the first team] for you, try and put you in somewhere.”

 

On the subject of Talbot, John said: "He can play anywhere - he gives you a seven, seven-and-a-half or eight out of ten every week, and that’s the good thing about him.

 

“I just felt that, regarding midfield, I needed a bit more energy in there, and I think Drew gave us that. He hasn’t played that many times in [central] midfield but he gives you a lot with his energy and work ethic. 

 

“He just knows the game and is a real ‘Steady Eddy’ player.”