Striker Rory Fallon ready to fight for first team place with Plymouth Argyle
STRIKER Rory Fallon faces a race against time to force his way into the first team plans of Plymouth Argyle manager Peter Reid.
Fallon made a belated start to pre-season training with the Pilgrims at UCP Marjon yesterday.
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Rory Fallon
That was nearly a month after the rest of his Home Park team-mates, after he played for New Zealand at the World Cup earlier this summer.
It was while the 28-year-old was at the tournament in South Africa that Reid was confirmed as Argyle's new manager.
Fallon was reunited with the rest of the Pilgrims' squad yesterday, after their training camp in the Netherlands last week.
Now he has a fortnight to try to impress Reid and make sure he is in the starting line-up for the Sky-televised League One season-opener way to Southampton on August 7.
Fallon said: "It's going to be tough, but I have been through tougher, I believe.
"Hopefully, I will have a great two weeks' training and see what happens."
Fallon started his preparations for the forthcoming League One campaign last week.
He went out running every morning and also did boxing with Plymouth-based trainer Dave Smith.
That was done with the approval of Reid.
Fallon said: "I like to do my own stuff sometimes, and have a good think when I'm training. Now I'm ready to go."
The New Zealand international admitted it was unusual for him to start a pre-season so late.
He said: "It feels kind of surreal, being in a situation like the World Cup, coming back and training on my own and then going into a team environment again.
"It's quite strange, but it's another challenge I'm looking forward to.
"I had a few knocks during the World Cup. My groin was hurting a bit, and I got a massive dead leg as well, but I'm feeling good now."
Argyle sold striker Jamie Mackie to Queens Park Rangers for £500,000 at the end of last season.
But they have replaced him with Northern Ireland international Rory Patterson, who arrived from Glentoran for a fee thought to be £40,000.
Fallon and Patterson are an option to start the season as Argyle's strikeforce, but they face competition from George Donnelly, Joe Mason and Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Steve MacLean is still part of the squad for now, but is not expected to be at the club for much longer.
Fallon added: "I want to be as fit as I can, be as strong as I can and be mentally prepared for a new season.
"Every player wants to do well, and I'm no exception. I'm just going to give 100 per cent, like I always do, and see what happens."
Fallon believes the appointment of Reid, after a seven-week recruitment process, was a good one.
The New Zealand international met up with Reid before the Pilgrims' pre-season tour to the Netherlands.
Fallon said: "I heard about the new manager when I was in South Africa. I think it's a brilliant move for the club.
"It shows the club want to kick on and, hopefully, he can do well."
Fallon, who started all three matches for New Zealand at the World Cup, is under contract to Argyle until next summer.
There has already been interest in taking him away from Home Park, with Fallon revealing one foreign club wanted to sign him but that he had turned them down.
He would not, however, be against a move should it suit all concerned.
Fallon was a £300,000 signing from Swansea City in January 2008, when Ian Holloway was the Pilgrims' boss.
"One club has come in for me, but I don't feel the Lord wants me to go," he said.
"I will wait on what the Lord says. I don't feel I have got a clear message to leave yet, so I'm staying."
Fallon continued: "I'm instructed by the Lord, and I keep telling people this.
"They probably think I'm mad, but I know full well that when (former Argyle manager) Paul Sturrock came in and wanted me to go to Southend I had a dream and the Lord told me to stay at Plymouth.
"I have had no instructions since so I stay at Plymouth."
For now, Fallon is focused on getting ready for the start of the season, rather than the possibility of moving to another club at some stage.
"All I'm thinking about is training well," he said. "I will take it one day at a time.
Argyle might, however, choose to cash in on Fallon, while he has a high profile, should they receive a good offer for him.
He said: "I don't want to kill the club and leave on a Bosman (transfer) because I know they paid money for me.
"I don't think that would be fair.
"Both parties would have to be happy but, for me, I would have to get a clear sign from the Lord."
45 Comments
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by Vic., Hartley
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 11:58AM
“Rory has brought something back from the World Cup. He was the player who committed the most fouls for the tournament!”
by Joel, plymouth
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 9:12AM
“hmmmm
his arms and legs seem to have become whiskers ?!?!
Oh well, you get the idea.”
by Joel, Plymouth
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 9:11AM
“Leigh, Plymouth
Very well put.
More understanding people = happy world.
I'll draw a happy little man for you a a present...
l /
: o ) ------------
l \”
by Leigh, Plymouth
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 10:59PM
“Ron, you're way off base mate. Connaught have sought additional funding, this is a standard thing business do when running through an awkward patch, it is a shrewd business move to ensure that the company doesn't go into administration at a further future date.
Sir Roy has an enviable business accumen and those of you who seek to deride him on a regular basis are starting to sound petty and jealous of the guys millions!
Seperately, I applaud Rory for his strength of feeling towards his faith. Not my cup of tea but we are all quick to shout about our beliefs whether they be football, women, gypsies or even on the odd occasion "funny coloured people". Why we can't all be a little more accepting is beyond me, it really is.”
by Ron, PLYMOUTH
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 10:51PM
“getting away from all the hype about players- guess what!
Sir Roy Gardner is chairman of connaught!
Guess what Connaught are about to go bust
Guess what! bet he pulls the plug on the greens in the very near future! this man is only interested in profit!”
by disco_mart, Ealing
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 10:49PM
“we all know he is inconsistent but he is now in a League where he has scored a few goals and has just been playing at the highest level (WC) which should have given him some confidence/motivation for more.
I have a feeling this is his season... and for those who don't know, he was/is being chased by one Chinese and one Turkish Club.”
by Jan, Plymouth
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 8:25PM
“Lord, this bloke didn't look like a monkey by and chance, did he?”
by David, Plymouth
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 7:42PM
“The Lord, Mayflower Heaven - Keep up mate, the seats have gone from the Mayflower so that chav is going to need a megaphone to berate the dugout from the Lyndhurst.”
by The Lord, Mayflower Heaven
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 7:02PM
“Rory has to go just to shut the foul mouthed Rory hater chav in his 40s that sits behind the dug out effing and blinding in front of young children.
The guy is a total nut and should be thrown out - but no - so Rory if the stewards won't remove the chav yer going to have to go to shut him up - unless someone feels like sorting him out
;)”
by Keith, West Sussex
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 5:41PM
“JL, the consequences of your actions from your choice can't be blamed on anyone else. That can't be a threat.
When you meet God eye to eye, your problem may be more that he will love you unconditionally, and you've looked in the wrong place.
Anyhow, we probably agree, that Rory should be employed for his talent, and I hope that that works this season.”