LOWE TO HIGH FOR PILGRIM SCOTT
TWELVE months ago, Scott Wootton wanted to leave Plymouth – but now he’s anchoring a resurgent Pilgrims defence and eyeing a League One return.
After enduring a nightmare debut season at Home Park, suffering a thigh injury just a month into his stay and playing only once after returning to fitness in January, the 28-year-old was left totally disillusioned under Derek Adams’ regime.
But then came a ray of hope, with Ryan Lowe becoming Adams’ permanent replacement in the summer after he was sacked with Plymouth facing relegation.
The former Bury boss extended an olive branch and Wootton eagerly grabbed it, cementing a place in the Argyle back three as they look to bounce back to the third tier at first time of asking.
“It’s been chalk and cheese really,” said the Birkenhead native. “I didn’t enjoy it last year, especially the latter half. When you’re not playing, it’s a long way away from your home and it’s incredibly frustrating.
“I wouldn’t say I didn’t love football, but I wasn’t enjoying coming in every day. This year – credit to the new manager and all of the staff – he’s just brought a new attitude to training and the club.
“It feels like a completely different club, to be honest, and it’s one that I know the lads are really enjoying. We’re in a decent position and just need to kick on now.”
And Wootton puts the shift solely down to the impact of Lowe.
“He put a bit of faith in me and it’s going well. I owe him a lot,” said the former Leeds and MK Dons man.
“I came back this season and tried to be as fit as I could to show the new manager what I could do. I like to think I’ve paid that trust back with how I’ve been this season.
“We’ve all been given a new lease of life. The atmosphere wasn’t great at times last season and it’s been great that they’ve come in and given everyone that freshness.
“The manager is not long from being a player himself and his man-management skills are very good.”
That uplift in mood down in Devon is plain for all to see, with the Pilgrims winning eight of their last 11 league games prior to the weekend’s trip to Carlisle to see them shoot up into the play-offs.
And now with the January window in full swing, rumours are swirling regarding the types of players clubs need to push them on.
For Argyle, there is talk of a new striker, but Wootton believes that the solution could lie closer to home, with 19-year-old Luke Jephcott returning from a loan spell at Truro to bag a brace in the 3-1 win at Scunthorpe last weekend.
Prospect
“I remember seeing him last year when he started a few games for us on the right wing and did really well,” he added.
“He came back in pre-season and struggled a little bit – I’m sure he’d be the first one to say that. Fair play, he’s been on loan to Truro and done a good job.
“He’s been scoring goals, getting assists and playing regularly. You could see after a month, two months, that he had just changed. He looked more ready for men’s football, looked fitter, sharper, and scored goals in training. “I wouldn’t have expected him to come straight into the team and score two goals – I don’t think anyone did – but it’s fantastic for him and great for the club to bring a young player through. “Whether that will change the manager’s mind in the market, I’m not too sure, but he’s certainly done himself no harm in getting into the firstteam plans.”