Pre-Season Diary | Episode Two
By Parkway Media
Well… football’s back.
Like many of you, I’m sitting here writing this after a brilliant early morning watching England produce a huge result against Mexico in their own backyard. Thankfully, it was our number 10 making the headlines in the Azteca this time… and there wasn’t a handball involved.
But while England were grabbing the headlines, Parkway quietly got pre-season underway in Cornwall.
A double from Reece Thomson, coupled with a Rocky Neal penalty, eased Parkway past a spirited and hard-working Torpoint side to get Karl Curtis’ reign up and running.
So, what did we learn? Well, firstly, we learnt how to properly start a pre-season campaign after the opening game twelve months ago. It was also the first chance to see some of the new faces in yellow, while welcoming back the familiar faces who finished last season so strongly.
The new boss seems in good spirits. I know how determined Karl is to succeed in his new role, and that certainly came across in his post-match interview. He spoke with plenty of common sense about where the squad is, what still needs work and how preparations are shaping up ahead of Argyle this Saturday. If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s well worth ten minutes of your time.
The new captain… well, I say new. He captained the side for the majority of last season, but with Shane White moving on, it’s officially Rio’s armband now. Listening to him afterwards, he sounds every bit a captain. His comments about Karl, and how much the lads want to play for him, were really encouraging and certainly bodes well for what’s ahead.
On the pitch, there was plenty to like.
Rocky looks like a sharpened knife again after a frustrating season with injury. Reece ‘loads of goals’ Thomson helped himself to two to get his pre-season up and running, while there were encouraging performances from most of the new lads. Jensen Ireland quietly caught the eye as well, particularly during the first half, and it’s easy to forget there was still no Ryan Brett or Joel Sullivan, both of whom should return this weekend.
Talking of this weekend…
It’s a big one.
Plymouth Argyle return to Bolitho Park for the first time in three years, and there’s no doubt it will be a huge occasion for everyone connected with the football club. It will also be the first opportunity for Green Army supporters to see Tom Cleverley’s side in action as they begin their own pre-season campaign following their warm-weather training camp.
The weather, by the way, looks like it has followed them home. Saturday is shaping up to be another scorcher, so don’t be surprised if we see a couple of hydration breaks during the afternoon.
We’ll have more information later this week on everything supporters need to know ahead of the game, and there’ll be a small ask from us all to help the day run as smoothly as possible. The Full Time will also be staying open for England’s evening fixture, so it’s shaping up to be a proper Super Saturday in PL5.
And if all that wasn’t enough…
There’s also a small matter of a new kit reveal.
Reports understand the club are preparing to unveil both the new home and away shirts as early as tomorrow, so keep an eye on the club’s social media channels.
There’s never really a quiet week around here.
Next stop…
Super Saturday at the Theatre of Trees.
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