Grimshaw relishing competition in net

When Dan Grimshaw was signed by Argyle, following the departure of Michael Cooper, it was made clear that despite the obvious talent of the Greens’ new goalkeeper, he was not to be the automatic number one choice between the posts.  

Grimshaw joined up with Argyle in London, when they were in the capital to meet Queens Park Rangers, but signed too late to be registered for the encounter. Watching from the stands, Grimshaw would have seen Conor Hazard have a blinder, helping the Pilgrims to a valuable point at Loftus Road.  

Hazard continued in good form but, after the home game against Stoke City, picked up an ankle injury which is expected to keep him out for three months or so. Cue Grimshaw, who made his league debut in last Saturday’s 3-2 win over Sunderland.  

Argyle have also signed Marko Marosi to bolster the goalkeeping department, and Grimshaw says that the competition between the glovemen Is a healthy one.  

Grimshaw told a press conference on Thursday: “I came in, didn't get registered in time for the QPR game, but then watched Conor play really well and help the team get a point, and then he played really well in the Stoke game.  

“That's part of football. Obviously, I want to play and want to be in the team, but I also don't wish anything bad or for my team-mates not to play well. I want them to do well, and it was good to see him doing well.  

“I'm sure he'll get back in training as soon as possible, and then he'll be pushing me, that's how we'll work together. He's a really good guy. Unfortunately for him, he's got the injury at the moment. Hopefully he has a good recovery, and we'll see him back soon. 

“I think goalkeepers, we all want to play, but we also get on together and support each other.  

“Now Marko’s come here, he’s an experienced goalkeeper, played a lot of games. He's not just going to come here and just sit there and accept that I'm going to play. 

“You don't want that. You want a nice, healthy competition between us all, and everyone supporting each other in the right way.”

This weekend, Grimshaw will travel with his Argyle team-mates to West Bromwich Albion, looking to take the form from the win against Sunderland to The Hawthorns, a ground Grimshaw is keen to experience.  

He also spoke of his first reactions to the Green Army, who will travel in numbers of approximately 2,000 when they head to the West Midlands.  

He said: “These are the games; it's why I wanted to get back to the Championship and play against sides like this. It's a good challenge and we can hopefully go and do what we did again on Saturday. 

“That’s one of the grounds I've not played at. I've been on the bench there, but I've not actually played there. We know the atmosphere will be good, It’s a big ground, a big club. It'll be a good test for us again, and we look to try and get three points.  

“[The atmosphere against Sunderland] was very good. I heard before I experienced it that it was good but, it was even better than probably you can expect. Obviously, the game, the way it was, that adds to it as well, but the atmosphere was really good. 

“[The Green Army] are very good. I saw them at the QPR game, the away fans. I know how far the travel is and to see how they were that day. Then I had my first experience of Home Park, and the fans were excellent.”