Flexible Friends

The Pilgrims’ take their promotion credentials to Meadow Lane on Sunday, when Sky TV’s audience will join Notts County fans in being able to witness the talents of the division’s in-form side.

Key to Argyle’s early-season success has been the adaptability of the players in manager Derek Adams’ tightly-knit 18-man squad.

“The likes of Gregg Wylde, Jake Jervis, Graham Carey and Craig Tanner can play anywhere across the front area: left, right or central,” said the manager. “That’s important in a team. Ryan Brunt played on the left-hand side against Mansfield, as well. 

“We have got that flexibility in the squad – we have got Carl McHugh who can play in midfield or at centre-half – that’s important.

“It’s not a luxury; it’s a must, because of the squad we’ve got. You need players who have got good game-knowledge. They understand positions in the team and we can change formation; we have done that a few times this season.

“You have got to take in the right players and we have been able to do that over the summer. We have taken players in who have complimented players who were here last season.”

Such has been the impact of the players that have propelled the Pilgrims to the top of the division that fans are already making positive noises about the club needing to extend their current one-year deals. 

Derek is relaxed. “We’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “We’re only in October and we’ve only started 11 games of the season. It’s too early to talk about anything like that. The clocks have not gone backwards yet and some players have only just come into the squad.”