Make Yourself at Home
DESPITE the rapidly changing face of Home Park, Derek Adams is looking forward to a bit of familiarity this Saturday.
The manager’s Argyle side are at home to Southend this Saturday in this season’s first 2018-19 fixture at the Theatre of Greens. The game will be the first on the pitch as a Pilgrim for some of Derek’s summer intake, as no pre-season fixture could be played at home because of ongoing building work.
Speaking of which, preparations for the Grandstand refurbishment mean that the whole Mayflower side of the ground is out of action to the Green Army this season, who will snuggle up and fill the remaining three sides of the ground.
“It’s going to be strange for some people with the grandstand now being closed,” said Derek. “It will make no difference. We haven’t had supporters on the terracing for many a year. I don’t see it affecting us in a negative way. It may be a positive as the stadium will look full.
“It will help the atmosphere. It is nice that we are getting the Grandstand because it long needed it. The football club has got stronger, lived within its means, and is now developing into a strong unit.
“The players have trained on the pitch this week I feel it is important to get a feel for your own pitch and surroundings.
“Last year we had excellent home form. We will have a full stadium, so to speak, because of the three sides. That will hopefully generate a very good atmosphere.”
At the moment, Derek and the players are still using facilities under the Grandstand, including the old dressing rooms. They will emerge from the existing tunnel for the time being, but are soon to be on the move.
Derek said: “We have to move out of the changing rooms so the development work can move forward quick. We will then come out at the Devonport end. That will be good for the home supporters to see their team coming out that end.”