Clean Slate

PRE-SEASON has begun and Argyle manager Ryan Lowe has already stated that every player in his squad will be given the chance to stake their claim for a place in the team.

It was a pleasing start for Ryan, who was very complimentary of the fitness and quality of players already in the Green building, and any new faces will have to fight as hard as the rest to feature in his plans.

Recruitment will obviously be a key factor over the coming weeks, as we prepare for the curtain-raiser in Sky Bet League Two at Crewe Alexandra in early August, and the only expectation Ryan is putting on himself, and the players, is to be successful.

“I had a good meeting with the boys, told them what I expect from them and what I want from them,” said Ryan. “They’ve all got a clean slate and they’re all footballers for a reason. They have to impress me with their attitude, commitment and desire, and the way you are around the place.

“In football, you have to work hard and, if they show me that, they’ve got every chance. The lads have come back in good shape and they’re relishing the opportunity of working with other players.

“When I signed the contract to be the manager of Argyle, right away there was an email out to them [the players] with a pre-season programmed and what I want from them. By looking at them, they’ve certainly stuck to that.

“They had a tough day [Thursday], we had a classroom session to say what we want and the expectations of pre-season. The lads will have plenty of recovery time, they’ll work hard, get days off and rest.

“I’m happy with the players we’ve got and some of them are above League Two; they’ve proved that with where they’ve played and how they’ve played. Everyone has a clean slate and, just because we’re signing players, it doesn’t mean they will play every week.

“It’s a squad game and whoever is playing the best will get picked. We’re actually in a better position than I thought we would be because, when I took over the job last season [at Bury], the recruitment was done. I’m pleased with where we’re at, there is no panic and no worry.

“I’m not one to say what my expectations are because you can get shot down but what I would say is that I’m here to be successful. There are 24 teams looking to do the same thing and we will respect everyone, do our homework and I’m sure we can get a squad together capable of getting us to where we want to be."