Attacking Appeal

LATEST Pilgrim Joe Edwards cannot wait to sample new Argyle manager Ryan Lowe’s exciting brand of football.

Midfielder Joe, 28, signed for Argyle on Thursday, and then immediately joined his team-mates for the traditionally tough first day of pre-season training.

That opening preparation for the new campaign is the initial step in putting out a team aiming to replicate Ryan’s success last season, when in charge of a Bury side that scored plenty of goals with an attractive attacking style that won promotion from Sky Bet League Two.

“It appeals to a lot of people – that’s the part of football everyone enjoys,” said Joe, who comes to Home Park after three seasons with Walsall.

“Getting fans off their seat – that’s the main thing. You would expect this manager to do so; he did it with Bury last season and was very successful there. If we can create that same success here, the way they played, it will be fantastic.”

A Westcountryman who began his career at Bristol City and captained Yeovil Town during the Glovers’ halcyon Championship years, Joe is aware of the size of the club, and size of the task, that he is joining.

He said: “That was the main focus for me coming here; the type of club and the size of the club – it deserves to be higher than it is.

“We are where we are at the moment but we are where we are for a reason. I have come here to try and change that. I have had success – promotions with Yeovil and that [Championship] season still stays long in the memory over everything else.

“If you can create those type of memories with a good club and a good bunch of lads, it will be fantastic. I truly believe we’ll have a good season.

“I met the manager and the assistant [Steven Schumacher] a couple of days ago and they were fantastic. They show you about the club – you see the size of it and the potential that’s here, it is a really exciting time to join.

“The manager showed the interest and I was delighted to jump on board. You see the project he wants to build here – when you meet him, he’s very enthusiastic and he gives you that energy that you want to come here to play and get started quickly as possible. It has been fantastic.”

At just shy of 300 senior games, and with plenty of mileage in the tank, Joe brings a wealth of experience to Home Park, as well as an attitude that you sense is going to serve him well in the Green shirt of Argyle.

“I’m 28, so I’m at a great age to be a voice in the changing room,” he said. “At each club I’ve been at, I’ve always taken on the captain’s role at some point and I believe I can help players along the way. whether they’re younger, inexperienced or whatever, it’s nice to help.

“I played the majority of my time in the last couple of years in midfield, almost anywhere across the midfield, as well, which is sometimes in my favour, but sometimes not.

“You get a lot of game-time. I’ve had plenty opportunity over my career to play different positions, which I quite enjoy, and that helps a manager to have a player who can fill in different roles.

“I pride myself on being fit. I don’t like missing any training sessions or games. I like to keep that consistent basis.

“If I can put that on to the pitch and the fans can see I’m putting a shift in and working hard, that’s enough for me.”

You cannot help but feel that will do for the Green Army, too.