Boys Will Be Boys

The objectives of this tour are threefold, really. One is using Tuesday night’s game against MVV Masstricht (7pm local time, 6pm in the UK) to get ready for the season, and a second is to train on an excellent facility and getting more fitness into the legs. 

The third, and arguably the most important, objective is to gel a group of players containing more brand new players than existing ones into a cohesive unit. Travelling, training, playing and socialising together for almost an entire week should be effective in delivering a crash course of ‘getting-to-know-you’. 

“The boys have gelled really quickly,” said Gary. “Everyone seems to get on. The facilities are fantastic. Some of the boys are playing table tennis and having a good laugh, which is exactly what this is for when you come away as a group, especially with so many new players. 

“It’s worth it. We all know what pre-season is. We’ve come away to work hard. It’s really hot, but the boys will work really hard.”

MVV Maastricht, a second-tier Dutch side, will prove a worthy opponent for Argyle, it is thought, and perhaps for the first time this pre-season Argyle will go into the game not necessarily as favourites. 

“They’re a really good side,” said Gary, “so it’s going to be a massive step for us. It’s a big test for us, but the boys can’t wait to get on with it. 

“We’re a good outfit ourselves. We’ve got some really good players; some we’ve brought in, and some who were here last year. You want to test yourself in pre-season, and this is a great chance for us to do so. 

“We didn’t have a massive rest from the summer, and the games are coming thick and fast. But we’ll get this game done, get West Brom done and then everything’s geared towards the start of the season.”