Ryan Lowe has only been Plymouth Argyle manager since the start of June. However, he now faces what might be the most important week of his season as Plymouth Argyle prepare for the beginning of pre-season
Upon Lowe’s appointment at Home Park, significant emphasis was placed on the attacking brand of football he would bring to the Devon club. Such a mantra understandably resonated with the Green Army, who had grown tired of the negative and defensive football played under former boss Derek Adams. The fans’ support for their new manager was proven as Plymouth Argyle supporters’ forum PASOTI raised money to sponsor Lowe for the 2019/2020 season.
Argyle fans have also been impressed by Lowe’s support for the club’s youth system. Within two weeks at Home Park, Lowe had offered youth prospects Adam Randell and Tom Purrington their first professional contracts. The promotion of youth talent to the senior squad has previously proven limited at Home Park under Derek Adams, who placed greater faith in established professionals than he did in the club’s academy graduates.
However, there is plenty of recruitment work left for Lowe to do if Argyle are to achieve an immediate return to League One. The Pilgrims have lost the spine of the team following their relegation to League Two on the final day of the season, and have yet to make a signing in the transfer window. As of today, The Pilgrims have only 16 senior players, with two of the 16 being first year professionals. Starting goalkeeper Kyle Letheren and centre back Ryan Edwards have both departed the Devon club, heightening defensive frailties that existed from last season. Argyle conceded 83 goals last term as they were relegated on goal difference, proving defence as being a key area for Lowe to address.
The declining number of players is further exacerbated by the number of outgoing midfielders leaving Home Park this summer. Talisman midfielder Graham Carey left for CSKA Sofia last week, whilst Jamie Ness and David Fox have both announced their departures. All three proved pivotal in the Pilgrims’ impressive 7th place finish during the 2017/2018 League One campaign, though struggled to repeat this form last season. Midfield issues are made difficult by the confusion surrounding the situation of midfielder Ruben Lameiras, who has yet to make contact with the club regarding their contract offer. The 24-year-old has been linked with Charlton and Swansea, though Argyle need clarity before planning for a future without Lameiras.
It is therefore of a question of how long Argyle fans can wait before growing impatient about the lack of transfer activity at Home Park. Whilst The Pilgrims have stalled in the transfer market, their League Two rivals have added to their ranks. Salford City have already made four important signings, a mixture of promising National League prospects and established Football League professionals. With the Plymouth Argyle squad due to report back to training next Thursday, Argyle may find themselves at a disadvantage to their League Two counterparts as a result of their depleted squad. Despite rumours of signings arriving from Bury and Liverpool nothing has yet to come into fruition, potentially raising issues with forming the squad.
The Pilgrims’ pre-season routine has also raised eyebrows due to the opposition that Argyle have planned to face before the start of the 2019/2020 campaign. The Pilgrims have continued their tradition of facing local opposition, arranging fixtures against lowly opposition such as Truro City and Plymouth Parkway. Although a boost for local sides, Argyle are unlikely to benefit from easier games against lesser opposition. Following the cancellation of the club’s pre-season tour in Holland, Argyle will not face opposition of a similar opposition until the start of the season in six weeks time. It won’t be until the Carabao Cup match against Leyton Orient that Lowe will gain an idea of how his side will fare in the upcoming season.
Clearly then, there is much left for Ryan Lowe to do before Plymouth Argyle can seriously be considered promotion challengers this season. Realistically, signings need to be made this week before fans grow concerned. There is only so long that the allure of a new manager and a new grandstand can protect Lowe from backlash regarding his slow start at Home Park. Furthermore, more pre-season fixtures need to be arranged. Discussions with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have begun, though the extent to which this would be a beneficial fixture is debatable.
The issues facing Lowe and Argyle are resolvable, though the manager is working to a deadline. Football is a fickle sport, and a lack of transfer activity will inevitably cause concern amongst the fans as this week proves vital for The Pilgrims 2019/2020 campaign.
