Argyle’s new signing is welcomed with a pasty!
WHETHER it was an initiation, or a welcome to the Westcountry, only he will know, but new Plymouth Argyle signing Niall Ennis had his first experience of a Cornish pasty after signing for the Pilgrims this week.
The 21-year-old left his hometown club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, for an undisclosed fee this week to link up with Ryan Lowe’s side after spending teh first half of the campaign with League One rivals Burton Albion.
That loan spell perhaps did not go to plan for the former England youth international, who failed to score in ten appearances for the Brewers.
Perhaps, then, a bit of local cuisine can help hiom rediscover his touch in front of goal.
“It was surprisingly nice!” Ennis said after experiencing a pasty from Argyle’s main sponsors, Ginsters. “I have never had one before, so I didn’t know what to compare it to, but it was nice!”
On a more serious note, this is the first time Ennis has bene so far from home and the move is without doubt an opportunity for him to kick-start a career that has shown plenty of early promise.
He spent last season in League One at Doncaster Rovers, scoring six goals in 29 league appearances, whom he joined in preference of a switch to Argyle, then in League Two. Now, working under a former goal poacher in Lowe, Ennis sees this as the perfect time to move and a great opportunity to get his career moving in the right direction.
“It’s exciting and I am looking forward to the new journey,” he said. I heard about [Argyle] wanting me last season, and I’ve heard about the gaffer – I’ve heard he’s a good young up-and-coming manager.
“He’s done a lot for the two clubs he’s been at including Plymouth and he just seemed like a good gaffer for me to improve under.
“He (Lowe|) has got a few young players in the team and you can see the quality in the team. I feel that what I can bring to the team can help them get higher in the league because what I saw (on Saturday against Crewe) was good, it was promising. Hopefully I can give them my best ability.
“People have told me it’s a good club with good facilities and the stadium is good. Obviously the fans can’t come in, but I have heard the fans are really good and come in numbers.”
With just over half of the season to go, Argyle find themselves sitting 15th, nine points adrift of the play-offs and six points above the relegation zone. The only way is up for Ennis, though, who has not ruled out a late push for a top six spot.
“I want to improve as a player. I see the potential in the club with some of the players that are here and I just want to help us push up the league and see if we can push for a play-off spot.
“I feel, especially in this climate, there are so many teams in a similar position in the league and I think a good run of form can get you into a good position.”