Reuben Back On Strike

JOHN Sheridan expects Reuben Reid to be among Sky Bet League 2’s leading hitman again this season.

Reuben, who is 26 later this month, netted 20 goals for the Pilgrims while on loan from Yeovil Town last season, a feat which put him alongside the division’s top scorers.

The Bristolian has since signed a new two-year deal at Home Park, where he started his professional career as a callow teenager and where the Argyle manager is prepared to keep driving his new permanent acquisition.

“I can be hard on Reuben and he respects that,” said John. “I think that’s why he scored 20 goals last season. I expect him to do so next season. I’m happy that he stayed.

“He works very hard on his game, which I’m happy about. He’s been at a few clubs and had a few managers, and he knows himself well. He knows the club and the people working here, and we want to help him and improve him and I think he respects that. To score 20 goals is great for any striker.”

Reuben will have plenty of back-up: Lewi Alessandra scored 12 times last season; Marvin Morgan and Matt Lecointe are fit after injury ruined much of their last campaign; Deane Smalley has arrived from Oxford; and Jason Banton and Tyler Harvey are in the mix, too.

“I’m quite comfortable with what we’ve got,” said John. “Marvin’s one that people have probably forgotten because he didn’t play much [last season]. I expect him to become stronger and I expect him to be trying to force his way into the side.

“Obviously, I’ve got Lewi, as well, who played well last season; Jason, I expect to be stronger because he didn’t have a pre-season with me and I expect him to be a big player for us; and I know what I can get out of Deane Smalley – he can play in a few positions and he can score goals.

“I’ve got young Matt Lecointe who’s worked his socks off to get to the fitness he has – he was doing really well in training at the end of the season – and there’s Tyler, although I still believe that his best position is in midfield.”