Conor in for the Comp

CONOR Grant is relishing the competition for places that exists within the Argyle squad, even if it means he has to work harder to retain his spot in the starting 11.

There are a number of quality options in the Pilgrims’ midfield that Conor finds himself a part of. This season alone, Jose Baxter, Antoni Sarcevic, Danny Mayor, Joe Edwards and Adam Randell have all experienced minutes in the engine room.

For the former Everton man, though, competition is nothing to shy away from, and it can only breed success as the Greens look to play their way up and out of Sky Bet League Two.

“I think that competition for places is really good, especially if you want a successful squad,” said Conor. “We want to be doing really well and winning a lot of games. We’re going to need a good and competitive squad, so that when players come in, they will be ready to perform.”

Such riches in the midfield area have meant that Conor has had to be patient in his pursuit of a league start, which came in the Greens’ 2-2 draw with Salford City on Tuesday night, following a good display in the Carabao Cup victory over Leyton Orient a week previous.

“I try to show up with a good attitude and be ready when called upon,” said Conor. “I got the call for Leyton Orient, which was my first 90 minutes since late November [against Stevenage in the FA Cup], so it was really good to get it under my belt and I’m really happy with Tuesday [against Salford].”

The Pilgrims endured a frustrating evening against the Ammies, dominating much of the game without earning the ultimate reward for their endeavour. Conor believes it will not take long for that to change.

“When we were dominating, we should have got a goal or two to settle it down, and then maybe you go on and it’s comfortable,” he said. “Obviously, with them going ahead twice, we showed good character to come back. In the end, a point is not a bad result, because you don’t want to lose two on the bounce, but in the future we need to be a bit more clinical in front of goal.

“I think we’re playing well, and maybe we haven’t quite got the killer instinct in the final third, but you can see it coming together, piece-by-piece.”

The next piece for Conor and the Pilgrims will be the visit of Walsall to Home Park in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday.