CHRIS WOOD

@ woodythedrum

Last season was incredibly frustrating! To fall just short of the play- offs having occupied the top six for a large part of campaign was very painful. I think we would have comfortably made it if we had been a little luckier with injuries.

The big talking point is how to build on last season. Our recruitment last summer upgraded several positions, so we’re hoping the squad can make another step up in quality. Mickel Miller will do well if we can keep him fit. This season will be different because we’ve got a spine of good academy graduates who’ll have learned a lot in 2021- 22. They’ll likely kick on this term.

Our key player will be goalkeeper Michael Cooper [ below], part of League One’s Team of the Season. He’s far too talented to stay much longer.

I won’t be happy unless Argyle can carry on its current upward trajectory. We’re building year on year without putting the club at financial risk – long may that continue.

Our most underrated player is

Jordan Houghton. He’s so calm on the ball and makes our midfield tick.

The opposition player who grinds my gears is actually a manager – Gareth Ainsworth seems like a top bloke, but Wycombe play vile anti- football and always have our number. Maddening.

Fans think our ground is in pretty good shape, and the new grandstand is top class. It’s just a shame that some idiots broke in and wrecked the pitch with a tractor this summer. The active player I’d love to have

back is Sonny Bradley at Luton, who was an absolute beast for us and has gone on to get even better.

Look out for very promising wing- back Ryan Law. He scored a worldie against Birmingham in the FA Cup. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is very positive. There was some concern whether Steven Schumacher [ above] could pick up where Ryan Lowe left off, but I think the team have performed better since he took over. If he left, he should be replaced by

Argyle legend Graham Coughlan. The one change I’d make would be to improve the training facilities, with a gym on- site for the players.

We’ll finish in the Championship!

FFT VERDICT

10TH

After Lowe left for Preston, the best appointment for Argyle proved to be the one closest to home. A top shot- stopper, a steadfast defence, an energetic midfield and excellent strikers: these are exciting times for Schumacher’s smooth- passing Pilgrims if they can repeat last year.