Middlesbrough (A) | Galloway's Preview
When Argyle play Middlesbrough this weekend, it will be the Pilgrims’ seventh game in a three-week span.
Games coming every weekend and midweek, at the level the Greens have elevated themselves to, is naturally demanded, but for defender Brendan Galloway, playing as much football as possible is the dream.
“It's been demanding, but I've enjoyed it,” Brendan told Argyle TV. “All these games coming thick and fast. As a footballer, I don't think there's anything better than playing every three or four days.
“It is challenging, but I think that's why we love the sport. That's why we want to challenge ourselves, in these games. At times we're going to be physically and mentally tired, but we've always got to do everything to get three points.”
Galloway, 27, has frequently lined up in a back three with 18-year-old loanee Ashley Phillips and Lewis Gibson, 23, in recent weeks. In fact, in a young squad, Galloway’s experience of playing in the Championship and Premier League is of great value to those around him, and he says he enjoys trying to use that to everyone’s advantage.
“I just want to help them be the best that they can be,” said Brendan. “We've got amazing defenders; real top defenders all across the squad. I think that we can all help each other. I'll give them some advice from experiences that I've had. Especially Ash, being 18, he's going to learn a lot. If I can just give him bits and bobs on his way, then, hopefully it helps him.
“I'm just trying to be the best that I can be, too; trying to give my all, and trying to lead and be an example as well, to the lads.
“Every time you put on the green shirt, it's an honour, so I want to give 100 per cent every game and I'm willing to do that.
“I do analyse the games back and see where I can improve, little things like that and then on the training pitch, try and improve as well, just so that when I'm out there, I can give the best account for myself.
“I think that some of our defending as a unit's been really good. It's tough when you concede goals, and tough when you don't keep a clean sheet, because ultimately as defenders, that's what you pride yourself on,
“When we walk off the pitch and we concede a goal, we're so angry, we're still upset. We just need to keep on working on the training pitch hard every day and hopefully improve.”
A previous loan player of Argyle’s, Finn Azaz, who learned so much in a season and a half at Home Park, is now a Middlesbrough player, and is likely to line-up against his old side on Saturday.
Galloway is an admirer of Azaz’s abilities, and is looking forward seeing his old team-mate, but knows that objective one is to stop Finn doing what we know he is capable of.
“We've had a few battles in training,” said Brendan. “He's a really good player, and a top guy as well, off the pitch. I'm looking forward to catching up with him after the game, I'm looking forward to playing against him.
“It'll be different, because I'm used to him being on my team, but now that it's there, we want to go there, be solid, keep a clean sheet. I know how good of a player he is, so I want to stop him.”
