Plan Like You Mean It

ARGYLE Manager Derek Adams is already planning for next season both on and off the pitch.

The Pilgrims finished seventh in their first season back in Sky Bet League One. Adams believes the focus is on next season and bringing in new recruits to strengthen the squad, rather than reflecting on what was a positive season for the Pilgrims.

Adams said: “When that season closes a new season opens for me. I have got to sit down with the players which I did on Monday. We have had long meetings that day. With players we have offered a contract to, players we haven’t and players who are still under contract. We have got to move forward with trying to recruit players for next year.

"I like to try and get them in before we come back for pre season. It is not always that easy. I like to do it so they can get into our regime quite early. A number of players will tell you it is different from other clubs and it is important they understand that at the start of the season.

"Financially It can cause us problems. Players want to come here and play, but that calibre of player might be out of our price range. We know that it is about trying to get the best player to fit our style of play, our budget and they have a wee bit of hunger about them as well.

"We have got a recruitment list in place. We have looked at all the out of contract players in the summer and have whittled them down and we will try and get the best ones for this club.”

Adams noticed the step up in quality from League Two to League One this season and believes it will only get tougher with the new sides entering the division next season

“Sunderland, Burton and Barnsley are coming down and they are three teams we haven’t faced before,” said Adams. “The three teams coming up -Accrington, Luton and Wycombe - we have. I spoke to all three managers last week to congratulate them and said I looked forward to seeing them next season.

"It was less frantic this year. There was a lot of good football players in this division and technically it was a lot better. That is a good experience and we have seen the crowds increase so they have enjoyed the football too this season."