As you will know, one of my main roles at Argyle is to commentate on matches. I have done it for the past four seasons on Argyle TV, and for six years before that on BBC Radio Devon.
It’s an incredible job and I know it’s a cliché, but I do feel very fortunate to be able to do it.
Everyone has an opinion on a commentator, just like everyone does with players or managers. Some of you will think I do a good job, some will think I’m terrible and some won’t really care either way, it’s just what it is.
What I do hope people appreciate however, is that to be even anywhere close to good, you have to do your homework. Stats and facts, yes, but some knowledge about the players you are commentating on is crucial. Knowing whether someone has a long throw, is left or right footed, which position they play and clubs they have played for are all the standard ones, but vitally important.
Naturally, that comes quite easily for me with the Argyle players; I am around them a lot and have seen them play for years but every time you get a chance to spend time with them, you can pick up little bits about their personality that might come in handy during a commentary.
So, instead of talking through how the session went on Tuesday, I will share some of my findings on every professional player and some of the coaches, on this tour. Some of these may never make an appearance in a commentary, but you never know when the right time to unleash it might occur.
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Xavier Amaechi – is as silky with a table tennis bat in his hand as he is with a ball at his feet. He is a seriously good player.
Malachi Boateng – You’ll never, and I mean never, see him moan on the pitch. Off it, yes (especially when we ask him to do media) but on it he is the ultimate team player.
Seb Campbell – Along with Joe Mwaro is always out in front on the long running sessions. A very, very fit lad.
Ronan Curtis – Will literally have a conversation with anyone. Put him on the coaches table, with the young lads, with us, or the Fineline sponsors on the trip, Ronan will spend a good hour chatting your ear off.
Joe Edwards – is THE biggest England fan I know!
Tegan Finn – I don’t think I have seen a football player strike a ball so well, so consistently. A ‘wand’ some might say.
Wes Harding – the most vocal on the pitch. You can see why he’s been made vice-captain.
Alex Hartridge – the boy can sing. His rendition of the Marvin Gaye classic, Ain't No Mountain High Enough was very decent.
Bradley Ibrahim – it is easy to forget how much of last season he missed and just how good he was beforehand. He looks impressive.
Freddie Issaka – up there with Xavier Amaechi and Harvey White on most minutes spent on the table tennis table.
Jack Mackenzie – his flag knowledge is exceptional. I’ve not seen him get one wrong yet.
Owen Oseni – a great learner. Give him a task and he’ll do it and get better at it. Doesn’t matter if it’s table tennis, pool or football, he puts the work in.
Bim Pepple – quite literally the most competitive person I’ve met. And I’ve met a few.
Julio Pleguezuelo – big in Argentina. He had an interview with an Argentinian journalist whilst we’ve been out here and reminded me of the time he spoke on ESPN Argentina.
Caleb Roberts – along with Ronan Curtis and Joe Edwards, part of a competitive card school.
Mathias Ross – once stuck a penalty in the top corner in a shootout. Maybe one to look out for next season….
Matty Sorinola – the quiet leader. Not one for shouting and bawling, but just quietly goes about his work talking to players and always encouraging.
Jimmy Storer – became a goalkeeper because the ‘keeper of his side decided mid game that he wanted to play outfield.' A good job too because he is massive.
Lorent Tolaj – a Ludo obsessive. He, Wes Harding, Matty Sorinola, Brendan Wiredu and Malachi Boateng play for hours a day, but Tolly is obsessed.
Caleb Watts – needs his afternoon naps. The afternoon is sacred, and we cannot disturb him.
Harvey White – name a sport and he’ll love it, and know a lot about it.
Brendan Wiredu – he’ll do anything for you. And this is something I noticed last season too. He’s one of the best people to ask to do some media because he’ll just do it. Do not change Bren.
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Tom Cleverley – has an obscene knowledge of British rap and grime artists.
Damon Lathrope – learned to be left footed post-retirement. Incredible story, ask him if you see him.
Matt Bevans – will challenge anyone at Teqball.
Kevin Nancekivell – is incredibly interested in modern history. WW2 in particular.
Mike Stowell – a demon on the bike. He did four of the bike sessions back-to-back on Monday.
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So, there you go, just a few observations from the three days we’ve spent out here so far.
You may find them interesting, you may not, but they are just the little character traits that might make a line or two in a commentary over the next ten months.
And as I said earlier, I may never use them, but it’s always good to have them. As a commentator, you can never be armed with too many facts and pieces of information.
The trick is knowing which bits to use and when.
