Argyle Squad

	Ashley Barnes 24 Age: 18. Position: Striker Spent time out on loan to two Conference clubs last season – firstly Oxford United and later Salisbury City. That will have given Barnes an indication of the physical demands of first team football, albeit at a lower level than the Championship. Will have to start off the season by trying to impress Paul Sturrock with his performances for the reserves.
	Chris Clark 6 Age: 27 Position: Full-back/Midfield Scored on his debut for Argyle, in only the fourth minute of the 2-1 defeat away to Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round in January. But, after that dream start, Clark has not established himself in the Pilgrims’ starting line-up since a £200,000 transfer from Scottish club Aberdeen. Can play either full-back position, or anywhere across the midfield. Wikipedia entry
	Gary Sawyer 18 Age: 23 Position: Left-back It says much about the transition at Home Park over the past 12 months that there are only three players who have made more than Sawyer’s 61 appearances for Argyle. Sawyer made his first team debut in August 2006 and, despite the occasional blip, has developed well since then. But he faces a tough task to get the better of Jim Paterson in the battle for the Pilgrims’ left-back slot. Wikipedia entry
	Jamie Mackie 25 Striker Age: 22 Position: Midfield/Striker Argyle do not appear to have many genuine match winners in their current squad, but Mackie could fit the bill. It is asking a lot from someone who, this time last year was preparing to play for Exeter City in the Conference. But his energy and enthusiasm, whether playing as a striker or wide on the left or right of midfield, and a knack for scoring goals, have marked him out as one to watch this term. Wikipedia entry
	Jermaine Easter 36 Age: 26 Position: Striker Took time to settle at Argyle after his move from League Two club Wycombe Wanderers last October. But Easter showed signs towards the end of the 2007/08 season that he was coming to terms with the demands of the Championship. Gives his all whenever he is on the pitch and his finishing has improved, although there is still work to be done on that. Wikipedia entry
	Jim Paterson 10 Age: 28 Position: Left-back/Midfield. Paterson, like so many of Paul Sturrock’s signings, has the ability to play another position as well. He could be an option on the left-side of midfield, especially in away games when the Pilgrims need a solid defensive base. Wikipedia entry
	Krisztian Timar 5 Age: 28 Position: Centre-back The popular Hungarian international signed a new three-year contract with Argyle during pre-season. Timar is one of the leading candidates to become the club’s new captain, after the departure of Paul Wotton at the end of last season. Has bravely overcome the serious head injury he suffered in the 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers on the final day of the 2007/08 Championship campaign. Wikipedia entry
	Karl Duguid 2 Age: 30 Position: Right-back/Midfield. The ColchesterUnited captain was signed by Argyle for an ‘undisclosed’ transfer fee in June. Was bought by manager Paul Sturrock to play at right-back after the departure of Paul Connolly to Derby County. But after the later arrival of David McNamee, the versatile Duguid will probably compete for a midfield role..
	Luke Summerfield 20 Age: 20 Position: Midfield This coud be a make or break season for Summerfield and his career at Argyle. He signed a one-year contract in the summer and now needs to start playing consistently in the first team. One factor in his favour is his ability at corners and free-kicks, where his delivery is usually superb. Wikipedia entry
	Marcel Seip 19 Age: 26 Position: Centre-back The Dutch defender was taken off the transfer list at the start of pre-season training. Seip had fallen foul of Paul Sturrock after refusing to be a substitute for the 2-1 home defeat by Charlton Athletic in April. But after issuing an apology, Seip has returned to the fold and Argyle supporters will be hoping he can continue to be one of the best centre-backs in the Championship. Wikipedia entry
	Matthias Doumbe 13 Age: 28 Position: Centre-back After four years at Home Park and only limited first team opportunities last season, it was thought Doumbe would leave Argyle this summer. Instead, the French defender accepted the offer of a new two-year contract from Paul Sturrock. Having done so, Doumbe will be determined to become a first team regular again, as he has been for much of his Argyle career. Wikipedia entry Club profile
	Simon Walton 4 Age: 20 Position: Midfielder Signed for Argyle from Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday for a club record transfer fee, which could rise to as much as £750,000. The Pilgrims are pinning a lot of their hopes for the future on Walton by giving him a four-year contract but Paul Sturrock is convinced they have made an excellent acquisition. Walton will play the midfield holding role vacated by the departures of Lilian Nalis and Paul Wotton.
	Jason Puncheon 7 Age: 22 Position: Midfield Argyle will be hoping Puncheon is the replacement on the right-side of midfield for David Norris, who was sold to Ipswich Town in January. Puncheon was Paul Sturrock’s first summer signing, costing £250,000 from League Two club Barnet. Has shown in pre-season he has a lot of ability on the ball, but consistency could be a problem as he makes the step up to the Championship.
	Romain Larrieu 1 Age: 31 Position: Goalkeeper Had a massive boost before the start of pre-season training when he was given the all clear by doctors after his second round of treatment for testicular cancer. Larrieu can now concentrate fully on his bid to become Argyle’s first choice goalkeeper After two years disrupted by his fight against cancer, the French shot-stopper will be aiming for a return to top form. Wikipedia entry Club profile
	Rory Fallon 14 Age: 26 Posistion: Striker Seemed on his way out of Home Park when Paul Sturrock took over as Argyle manager for the second time last November. Sturrock was far from impressed with what he perceived as Fallon’s laid-back attitude. But the striker responded to Sturrock’s criticism with some much-improved performances, which he needs to build on this season. Wikipedia entry Club profile
	Steven MacLean 9 Age: 25 Position: Striker Argyle really need MacLean to come good this season after he failed to impress following his £500,000 transfer from Cardiff City in January. MacLean has shown he is capable of dropping deep and linking up play with the midfield. But Paul Sturrock will want to see him get into more goal scoring positions this season. Wikipedia entry Club profile
	Yoann Folly 8 Age: 23 Position: Midfield Has much to prove after a disappointing start to his Argyle career. Folly arrived from Sheffield Wednesday in a £200,000 transfer in January, but made only one start for his new club. Asthma was blamed for his lacklustre performances. Paul Sturrock will be expecting more from the French midfielder this season, or his chances of first team football will be slim. Wikipedia entry
	Paul Gallagher 11 Age: 24 Position: Striker Signed from Blackburn Rovers on a season-long loan only hours before making his debut in a 0-0 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor. Gallagher came to Home Park after a recommendation from Blackburn team-mate Matt Derbyshire, who was borrowed by the Pilgrims during the 2005/06 season. Has had two previous loan spells with Stoke City and one with Preston North End.
	Chris Barker 15 Age: 28 Position: Left-back Was signed by Argyle on the morning of their Championship season-opener, a 2-2 draw against Wolves at Home Park on August 9. Barker had fallen out of favour at Queens Park Rangers and came to the Pilgrims for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut against Wolves, although only after he had a ring hacksawed off one of his fingers to comply to with new Football League rules about not wearing jewellery in games.
	David McNamee 16 Age: 27 Position: Right-back It was not the best of pre-seasons for Argyle but at least the form of McNamee was a bright spot for them. Coventry City boss Chris Coleman decided not to offer the right-back a contract after two injury-plagued seasons at the Ricoh Arena. Paul Sturrock was swift to make his move for the former Scotland international and McNamee has really caught the eye in the Pilgrims’ warm-up matches.
	Craig Noone 17 Age: 20 Position: Midfield Was working as a tiler in Merseyside before making a dream move into the Championship with Argyle in August. The pacy winger was signed from non-league Southport for an initial £110,000, after playing only one game for the Conference North club. Noone made his debut for Argyle as a substitute in the 0-0 draw away to Burnley
	Graham Stack 21 Age: 26 Position: Goalkeeper The events surrounding the departure of Luke McCormick from Argyle have been well publicised and, needless to say, were extremely sad for all concerned. Argyle, unexpectedly, had to find another goalkeeper to compete with Romain Larrieu. And in Stack they seem to have made an excellent addition to the squad. He has looked very sharp in pre-season, with his punching of the ball particularly impressive.
	Craig Cathart 22 Age: 19 Position: Defender Northern Ireland under-21 international Cathcart, a 6ft 2in central defender, joined the Pilgrims on a six-month loan deal from Manchester United the day before the season opener against Wolves. The Belfast-born youngster spent the first half of last season playing in the Belgian top flight, making 13 appearances for United’s feeder club, Royal Antwerp, and will add to the competition for places in the centre of Argyle’s defence.
	Nicolas Marin 23 Age: 28 Position: Midfield Arrived on a season-long loan from French top flight club FC Lorient on the eve of the transfer deadline. Marin is an out-and-out winger who Argyle manager Paul Sturrock hopes will provide a regular supply of quality crosses for his strikers. He has previously played all of his football in France - with Auzerre, St Etienne and Sedan before moving to Lorient in 2007.
	Yala Bolaise 26 Age: 19 Position: Midfield A raw talent with explosive pace who still needs a lot of work before he is ready to challenge for a first team spot. Signed from Maltese club Floriana in the summer after initially being recommended by an Argyle supporter. Bolasie, born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but raised in London, is regarded by Paul Sturrock as one for the future.
	Lloyd Saxton 27 Age:18 Position: Goalkeeper Has stepped up from the club’s apprentice ranks as one of three new first-year professionals. Saxton does have some senior experience, though, having played in pre-season friendlies in 2007 and 2008. Will be Argyle’s third-choice ‘keeper behind Larrieu and Stack but will hope to get some run-outs for the reserves.
	Shane White 28 Age: 18 Position: Right-back/Centre-back Was captain of Argyle under-18s last season as they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup. White can play at right-back or in central defence and put in some decent performances in pre-season. Not ready for the hustle and bustle of playing in the Championship yet, but he definitely has the potential to do so.
	Damien McCrory 29 Age: 18 Position: Midfield The Republic of Ireland youth international impressed Paul Sturrock at Argyle’s pre-season training camp in Austria. McCrory scored the equaliser for the Pilgrims in their 1-1 draw against German Bundesliga 2 club Greuther Furth. He could be in line for some involvement in Argyle’s Carling Cup first round tie at Luton Town should Sturrock decide not to go with a full-strength side.
	Dan Smith 30 Age: 19 Position: Midfield Played twice as a substitute for Argyle in the Championship last season. Has the pace and trickery to be a threat on the left-side of midfield, but needs to show more consistency. Saltash-born Smith is the only player from Cornwall in the Pilgrims’ squad.
	Emile Mpenza 31 Age: 30 Position: Striker The experienced Belgium international striker was signed as a free agent on September 2, after being released by Manchester City at the end of last season. Mpenza had been set to sign for Greek club Skoda Xanthi before taking up the offer of a one-year contract with the Pilgrims. Has played top flight football in Germany, for Schalke and Hamburg, as well as in Belgium, andappeared for his country in the finals of the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship.

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