The Next Generation

ARGYLE manager Ryan Lowe is learning all the time when it comes to the youth players knocking on the first-team door at Home Park.

The gaffer introduced Academy quartet Isaac Burdon, Jude Boyd, Reuben Collum and Rubin Wilson as substitutes in the pre-season draw with Tavistock on Tuesday night, handing the captain’s armband to Burdon in a special moment for the youngster.

Focus has naturally been on preparing his first-team for the new season but Ryan has been able to lean on the knowledge of people like coach Kevin Nancekivell for information on the next generation.

“We finished with a youth-team on the pitch [at Tavvy] and a fantastic opportunity for them,” said Ryan. “They know now that they will get opportunities under me, as long as they keep performing in the youth-team.

“I’ve come in blind with the youth-team, I don’t know much about them, so I speak to Kevin [Nancekivell] on a regular basis and Nance tells me a lot about them.

“It’s been nice when I throw them into the first-team to just say ‘enjoy it and do what you would normally do in the youth-team’. The attitude has been brilliant and you look at Isaac and I’ve given him the captain’s armband, so these are memories to relish.

“I’ve not seen young Jude [Boyd] before and he gave us something different. Big Reuben came on and threw a few tackles around, and the other Rubin as well. I’m happy with the kids to come on.”