Lowe hails role of Grant in Pilgrims’ progression
Adams signing is the last of that era and now the longest-serving player at Home Park
CONOR Grant is the only player out of the squad that Ryan Lowe inherited from Derek Adams when he was appointed as Plymouth Argyle in 2019 that is still at the club and the Pilgrims’ boss has said there is a good reason for that.
Lowe believes 26-year-old Grant has made great strides during his tenure at Home Park, especially in becoming the regular left wing-back.
Grant has even scored three goals in his last five games, including with a low left-foot finish from 25 yards out in the 3-0 League One victory over Bolton Wanderers last Tuesday.
While many others have come and gone from Argyle over the past couple of years, Grant has become the longest-serving senior player and was rewarded with a new two-year contract in the summer.
Lowe said: “Conor is one of the better players and the better players stay. I always say every player that I have managed since I have come to Argyle, not one of them could walk away and say they didn’t have an opportunity.
“That’s what I give, I give chances, and it’s over to them. Conor has achieved what a lot of players didn’t.
“I know players went for different reasons - better offers, they wanted to play more football. Cons is a fantastic lad and a fantastic player.
“His left foot is probably one of the best in the division, he has proven that. When I spoke to Cons about extending his contract he said ‘Look, I was one of the best players last season and deserve what I deserve’ and we certainly came to that agreement.
“Fair play to Cons, he is the only one who was here when we came in, and you want those players who can produce week in week out and can stay with us for ever and a day
“His two years (on his contract) will see him five years at Argyle. You don’t stay at one football club for five years if you are not good enough.”
Not only is Grant producing the goods for Argyle on the pitch, Lowe believes he is a good role model for 22-year-old Ryan Law, who is competing with him to play at wing-back.
Lowe said: “I spoke to Ryan Law the other day and he should be like Conor Grant. They are same size, same stature. He should watch Conor Grant, he plays with him and trains with him every day.
“If you want to be as good as Conor Grant watch him, learn from him, ask him questions because Lawsy has got pace, power and he’s aggressive now.
“He’s getting better at defending, like Cons is. Conor is now a left wingback so he has to do two jobs in creating and defending.
“I have said to Ryan Law ‘Go and watch Conor Grant because you have got to mirror what he does to be as good as him, and I’m sure he can be.”
Grant arrived at Argyle from Everton as primarily a central midfielder and it took him time to really make his mark at the club, in part because of injuries, but he has successfully done that now.
Lowe said: “Conor would never ever tackle before we came in, he never won many headers. Now he tackles, he wins headers. He’s still quite young at 26.
“We have coached him into what we want him to be. He knows the duels and one v one battles he has to come out on top in when you are playing against good teams.
“When you are playing that wingback position it’s tough but he’s doing a fantastic at both ends at the moment,” added the Pilgrims’ boss.