Spot On Thomas

NATHAN Thomas is two from two from the spot during Argyle’s pre-season thus far – but is not expecting to be the penalty taker when the season gets underway.

Nineteen-year-old Nathan scored from twelve yards against Tavistock and Weymouth, and says that he is hoping that the goals can give him confidence ahead of the upcoming Sky Bet League 2  campaign.

Of the penalties, Nathan said: “They are freebies, aren’t they?! I don’t think I’ll be on them in the season, though. I think Rubes has his name on them.

“I kind of told him I hadn’t scored yet, and I thought it might be good to kick off my year, to score a couple in pre-season and that take that into the season.”

The former Sunderland winger, who joined Argyle at Christmas last year, says that he is enjoying the build-up to the season, and has so far played more minutes for the Pilgrims than any of his team mates in the two games thus far.

This included a lengthy stint playing as an out-and-out centre-forward alongside Marvin Morgan for the first period at Weymouth on Saturday.

“I’m enjoying pre-season, to be honest,” said Nathan. “The games have been good. It was hard to get up to pace last year, joining halfway through the year. Then you’ve got to get to know everybody, get to know the style of play, and try to stamp your authority on it.

“Now, I can start afresh; get a full pre-season behind and kick on into the season.

“I prefer playing the games to get my fitness, rather than the running sessions. It’s about getting the pace in your legs ahead of the coming season.

“It was bit different playing centre-forward. I used to play there when I was younger. I moved out wide when I was about seventeen. I wasn’t expecting to play up top (against Weymouth). It’s changing your game around and it’s a bit weird, but it’s good to be able to play a couple of positions.

“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’m a centre forward, but I enjoyed it. I think I did alright. I got in behind a few times.”

The next step on Argyle’s build-up to August 9 is a short trip to Plainmoor to meet Torquay United on Tuesday night. Nathan is looking forward to lining up against our Devonian neighbours, now a Skrill Premier outfit, as the oppositions get progressively tougher.

He said: “Every game we play, the opposition are getting better. Weymouth were a lot better than Tavistock, and hopefully Torquay will be better again. It will be a good test, to see how the team is shaping up against better opposition. I think we look really strong; a lot stronger than last season.

“There’s no such a friendly. No such thing in football. You play every game to win, and with them being really close as well, it’s a derby game. You don’t have friendlies in derbies.”