Brad Reputation
WHILE Lloyd Jones admits he didn’t take much persuading to be reunited with his childhood club, former Pilgrim Sonny Bradley also provided a helpful nudge in Argyle’s direction.
Lloyd plays with Sonny at parent-club Luton Town and the Pilgrims’ former centre-back encouraged their newest one to make the move back to Devon, with tomorrow’s visit of Portsmouth in Sky Bet League One the next priority.
“I talked to him loads [about Argyle],” said Lloyd. “We knew who each other was, but we didn’t know each other personally. When it came about, I did have a word with him, and he said ‘go and smash it, play how I know you can play.’
“Sonny has been unbelievable actually. I get on really well with him, he’s the heart of the defence at the moment. If he’s not playing, then I think the results may have been different for Luton.”
Jones also asked other Argyle alumni about working with manager Derek Adams, who, according to Lloyd, has an excellent reputation among former players.
“I know of him, I know players who’ve worked with him, and they’ve all given glowing reports on the gaffer,” said Lloyd. “I was really keen to come here. I’ve been here three training days, so I’m still getting used to it, but there’s 15 games left in the season and I just want to hit the ground running.”
Lloyd rejoined Argyle on a loan until the end of the current campaign and had to watch his first game in Green from the bench, as Argyle struck late to take down Peterborough at the ABAX Stadium. The former England and Wales youth international was impressed with what he saw from his new colleagues.
“I thought we were really good,” he said. “Even when it was 11-men we looked comfortable, and it was a solid performance. The best result in football is a 1-0 away win.”
Argyle are in excellent form, having won five of their last six games, climbing from rock bottom to 16th in Sky Bet League One in the process. As a result, Lloyd knows that he might have patiently wait for his first-team opportunity.
“It’s a winning team,” said Lloyd. “It’s not me that picks the team at the end of the day, but we’re winning and getting points, getting further away from the relegation. Like I said, though, I came here to play and hopefully that’ll shine through.”