The signings barometer: How close are Plymouth clubs to completing their squads?
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
PLYMOUTH Argyle had a bare minimum 11 players on their books following the decisions for their retained list.
In addition James Bittner, Tyler Harvey, Lewis Alessandra and Anthony O'Connor were offered new contracts with the club.
Bittner signed a new deal, while Alessandra opted for a move to League One side Rochdale.
The remaining two are still yet to give their decision with the deadline just a few days away.
Since then new boss Derek Adams has made defender Gary Sawyer his first signing.
That leaves Argyle with 13 players and very short in certain positions.
With Luke McCormick sure to be The Pilgrims number one 'keeper next season, and Bittner as back-up, there shouldn't be any need for Adams to add another.
Defensively Argyle look fairly solid and with the addition of Sawyer, a cover at right-back for Kelvin Mellor might be the only position that needs filling.
The same can't be said in midfield with Lee Cox the only recognised player in that position.
Adams will need at least another two central-midfielders, possibly three, with O'Connor a possibility.
Wingers are currently non-existent at the club so that is sure to be a position hot on Adams hit list.
John Sheridan often played two wing-backs in addition to three central-midfielders, but the former Argyle boss was often criticised for lack of creativity in the middle of the park, something which Adams will have to address.
In attack Argyle have Reuben Reid, Ryan Brunt and Deane Smalley.
Adams will need to replace the rather large void left by Alessandra.
Whatever has been said of Sheridan, it cannot be argued that he got the best out of Reid, and only time will tell if Adams will be able to do the same.
If the side are to win promotion this season then you could argue that at least another two strikers are needed, with Brunt and Smalley not the most reliable when it comes to hitting the back of the net.
IT HAS been announced that forward Louis Rooney and midfielder Callum Hall have signed professional contracts with Argyle after finishing their apprenticeships.
PLYMOUTH ALBION
ALBION have – so far – lost a total of 14 players after they were relegated from the Championship last season.
But the scale of the rebuilding job at Brickfields is the reason the club have been able to confirm just half of their squad for next season.
As pre-season training looms for the now National One side, head coach Graham Dawe has 15 players in his squad.
Of those, just five are from last season's squad, having re-signed with the club.
They are Cameron Setter, Dan Pullinger, James Penman, Herbie Stupple and Marc Koteczky.
The rest are 'new' signings including Cornwall rugby stars Christian Judge, Jon Dawe and Matt Shepherd who played in Dawe's team which won the County Championship crown at Twickenham last month.
These players – and possibly some others as well – are scheduled to be present for pre-season at Brickfields next Wednesday.
Dawe has conceded that he does not expect to have his full squad present and correct for Wednesday's date with pre-season pain – nor does he expect it to be as large as last season's Championship set up.
Some of last season's squad have yet to commit to either Albion or any other club.
Much could depend on whether these players opt to re-join Albion for the coming season, or look to pastures new.
Dawe said: "Last season, we had nearly 40 players, but it won't be that for next season.
"We know we're not going to be a big squad, so we needed to find people who gel together."
Some of the new faces will be graduating to Albion from National Two or Three rugby.
Dawe said: "There's a big jump between National Two and Three and National One.
"It's all about (the players') desire and attitude to improve to a higher level.
"We have got to be ambitious, we've got to be pro-active and slightly gung-ho.
"You have got to believe in what you are doing and you have got to respect the opposition will be doing the same thing.
"But you've got to believe it more than they do."
PLYMOUTH RAIDERS
PLYMOUTH Raiders team boss Jay Marriott is one player away from completing his line-up for the new season.
Head coach Marriott says he is on the verge of agreeing a deal with a big man, which could be signed as early as next week.
It's quick work considering Raiders won't return in earnest until the very end of the summer – and puts the city's other professional clubs in the shade.
Marriott has already secured six senior players – Josh Wilcher, Bennie Lewis, Daryl Corletto, BJ Anthony, Auryn MacMillan and Dante Williams – and will rely on two younger faces to fill out their roster for the 2015-16 campaign.
Marriott said that while they plan to have seven professional players on the roster, the squad will be backed up by youngsters Jason Carr and Jose Malo.
Corletto, MacMillan, Lewis and Wilcher are all Australian, while Anthony is from New Zealand.
Williams is the only American player signed up for next season's roster, while point guard Wilcher is the sole member of last season's squad to have re-signed with the Raiders.
Raiders are looking for a British or European addition to their squad, having filled their quota of non-European players.
Marriott said: "It's all going well – we're nearly done in terms of the team.
"At the moment, we're trying to add the last piece of the jigsaw to bolster our front court.
"In terms of the six players we have already got, I am happy.
"I hope we can complete the deal with the seventh player early next week."
He added: "I think it's been made very clear about how I coach and what I want and these guys have made their decision before they come here that they want to be part of that."
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Fri Jun 26, 2015 10:18 pm
