Western Morning News (Saturday)
Lowe sets Argyle targets and talks changing tactics
Lowe is starting his third season as the Pilgrims’ boss
RYAN Lowe has set his sights on a top half of the table finish with Plymouth Argyle in League One this season.
Lowe believes that is a realistic objective for the Pilgrims after adding a number of experienced players to his squad over the summer, particularly in defence.
Argyle were wildly inconsistent during the 2020/21 campaign, and eventually ended up in 18th.
That was a result of losing 11 of their last 15 games, and also conceding 80 goals over the course of the season.
Lowe has carried out a major overhaul of his squad ahead of his third season as Argyle manager.
With a contract to continue in that role until the summer of 2024, the 42-year-old has long-term aims for the club, not just for this term.
Argyle kick-off the new season away to Rotherham United at the New York Stadium today.
Lowe said: “I want to see the club keep progressing year on year. There is no hiding place for anyone, if you don’t want to see that then you shouldn’t be here.
“We have committed our long-term futures here to the football club to try and get it where it needs to be, and that’s in the Championship.
“There is no secret that’s where we want to get to, but there are no guarantees you can do that in a space of time.
“All we can do is go about our business in the right way, play the right football, keep the philosophy, keep the style, impress the fans, impress the owners and, at some stage, we will get where we want to get to.
“This league is going to be tough, but it’s one we want to try and challenge in.
“I’m not saying we are going to win the league or go and finish second, but for us to compete we need to be in that top half of the league to push on. If we can do that we will see where it takes us.”
“Our objectives are to finish as high as we possibly can in the league.”
Strengthening the defence was the top priority for Lowe this close season and he is confident he has done that.
Lowe said: “I don’t want to be disrespectful to the players who we had (last season) because there were a lot of young lads but we were inexperienced.
“We didn’t know how to deal with a bit of an upset and it just continued. It was like a snowball effect.
“Hence we have gone out and got experienced players, particularly defenders.
“So we did what we needed to do. If we can keep the back door shut a few more times than we did last season and score a few more goals up the other end then we will be a lot better.”
“I think consistency was the problem last season, we never had any of it, and probably a little bit of inexperience.
At times last season it was a chastening experience for Lowe as Argyle went through some very difficult periods, but he believes that will stand him in good stead for the future.
Lowe said: “I did learn a lot - I learned a lot about myself, my staff, the football club but, more importantly, I learned I have got a good board and a good chairman behind me.
“I learned a lot with football, but I learned I’m working with good people, and when you are working with good people it bodes well for the future in my hands.”
“This season, I won’t be afraid to make changes if I feel it can help us pick up points away from home.
“If we feel we need to play with a defensive left wing-back or a defensive right wing-back rather than an attacking one, I will make no apologies about it.
“There will be changes for those types of reasons because that is the stuff I learned last season. Tactically you have got to be astute.
“With all due respect, I’m not good enough to go to Sheffield Wednesday away and think we are going to pop them off the park. That’s just to name one.
“Sunderland is another. We have to respect the teams we play against and if we have to tactically change we will.
“We have got a fantastic group of lads and they are all here for the right things, and that’s what we want. If we can achieve those things then we will be fine.”