Dewsnip working hard to build Argyle’s future
WORK on strengthening the Plymouth Argyle squad is a never-ending process, according to director of football Neil Dewsnip.
He is ‘very pleased so far’ with the success of the Pilgrims’ summer recruitment, but added it was ‘a little early to start patting one another on the back’.
Dewsnip believes Argyle’s partnership with data analytics company MRKT Insights is getting more efficient and yielding positive results.
He also explained that discussions were taking place between him and manager Ryan Lowe over planning for the January transfer window.
Lowe carried out a major overhaul of his squad in the summer after Argyle’s desperate struggles over the final two months of last season.
It led to him making 10 new signings, with an initial focus on bringing in five defenders after the Pilgrims conceded 80 goals in League One during 2020/21.
Argyle’s goals against record has been much improved in the first two months of this term, as have been the results.
They are third in the league table with 20 points from 11 games, but Dewsnip is not ready to describe the summer recruitment work as a complete success just yet.
Dewsnip said: “We are only 11 games in so it’s a little early to start patting one another on the back but, yes, very pleased so far.
“Very pleased with the process. There was a lot of hard work which involves so many people - myself, Ryan and Steven (Schumacher, Argyle’s assistant manager) are very much at the hub of that.
“Andrew Parkinson, the CEO, and Zak Newton (Argyle’s club secretary) were involved in their own individual roles, but there is this link we have a data analytics company, MRKT Insights.
“We are developing a better and more efficient method of identification and, ultimately, recruitment so that bodes well for the future. You would like to think we can improve as time goes by with that process.
“We have had an ongoing relationship with MRKT Insights. It’s getting more efficient and, so far, bearing fruit this season.”
Former Everton youth coach Dewsnip continued: “We had done pretty much most of our business very early in the (summer) transfer window so we didn’t necessarily need to get tied up like many clubs did on the last day, and the last minute of the last hour.
“Now, listen, we were still involved but the vast majority of our work had been done and that pleased us immensely.”
Argyle were reportedly in talks with Portsmouth over a deal to bring striker Ellis Harrison on transfer deadline day but that did not materialise in the end.
It was 10 days later when the Pilgrims
did add another forward to their squad with the free agent signing of Kieran Agard, who was released by MK Dons at the end of last season.
Dewsnip has many responsibilities in his role of director of football, but working on the recruitment side is one of the main ones.
Planning for the January transfer window is already under way and Lowe has admitted he will have some funds within his budget to work with.
Dewsnip said: “It’s just a neverending process. We have target players so we have ongoing discussions, myself and Ryan non-stop quite frankly.
“Ryan is very keen, as we all are, to continue to improve the squad and, ultimately, the starting 11 so if there are possibilities out there, and we obviously have one or two key positions that we feel we could strengthen further yet, then that’s where we are looking particularly.
“It’s a little bit too soon to get too excited but we are onto those issues as we speak.”
Meanwhile, Kieran Agard looks the most likely replacement for striker Luke Jephcott when Argyle play Burton Albion at Home Park on Saturday.
Jephcott is on international duty with Wales under-21s, who have European Championship qualifiers away to Moldova on Friday and the Netherlands next Tuesday.
So Lowe needs a new strike partner for 10-goal top scorer and while the versatile Jordon Garrick is an option, the experienced Agard is expected to get the call.