Search for
Search for
Search forSeip glad to stay on
Friday, November 21, 2008, 10:00
The Pilgrims' centre-back has agreed in principle to extend his stay with the Devon club by signing a contract extension which ties him to Argyle until the summer of 2011. The Dutchman, who arrived at Home Park as an out-of-work free agent in the summer of 2006, has proved himself to be one of the most accomplished central defenders in the Championship in his two years in English football.
Seip met the media yesterday to give his verdict on his updated contract. The 26-year-old said: "I'm happy with it. I like it here and I'm happy just to sign for another two years.
"It gives me a little bit more security now. I like the city, my girlfriend is from here, I love it here." When he was asked if he could envisage himself remaining at Home Park beyond the 2010-11 season, he replied: "You never know. I stayed with my former club for five years. I'm not the sort of player who moves on after one year."
The former Heerenveen player would have been a free agent once again next summer, after the expiry of his previous Argyle contract, if he had not signed his fresh deal. He knows how the game works, however, and he is aware that this week's developments are no guarantee that he will still be at Home Park two and a half years from now.
"If another club want you, it doesn't matter if you have two years or no years left on your contract, they will come in for you anyway," the straight-talking Seip added. "If I keep playing well, I'm not worried that they might hold off. If they really want me, they might pay some money – and it would be good for Argyle to get some money."
Seip has been in the Pilgrims' starting line-up for every game they have played in the Championship so far this season. Argyle are going into tomorrow's televised home game against Cardiff City in ninth position in the table, and have so far successfully defied the critics who tipped them to struggle at the bottom end of the table this term.
"Every year is going to be the same for Argyle, because we're not the richest club in the division," the Dutchman added, "but we're doing well. We're only three points away from the play- offs. We have done better in each of the last three seasons, going higher up the
table each time, so let's hope we can go on a good run again and make another push."
Seip has played alongside some very good central defenders – Mat Doumbe, Krisztian Timar and Russell Anderson – in his two and a bit years with the Pilgrims. His latest rearguard partner is a youngster who has been making light of his inexperience and has adapted to the hurly-burly of Championship football with great alacrity.
Craig Cathcart will not cease being a teenager until next February, but the on-loan Manchester United centre-back has shown commendable maturity in the dozen games he has so far played for Argyle. Seip said: "He has a nice future ahead of him. He is only 19, and yet he is consistent."
Seip and Cathcart will be doing their best to keep Cardiff off the scoresheet at Home Park tomorrow. The Welsh outfit are three points and three places better off than the Pilgrims.
The Dutchman is well aware that it will be another tough tussle for the Devon side. He declared: "Every game in this division is difficult. If we're not on top of our game, we're not going to win. We know we have to do better in our home games. We've been picking up so many points away, but we've been struggling at home."
Tomorrow's match (12.45pm kick-off) is being screened by Sky Sports. Argyle have tried to counter the likely effect of live television coverage on the Home Park attendance by reducing admission prices. Adults can watch the game for £15, compared to the usual price of £24, while over-65s and under-23s will be charged £10 and under- 18s will pay only £5. These prices will be available on the day of the game, and not just in advance.
Meanwhile, Plymouth striker Jermaine Easter was recalled yesterday from his loan stay at Millwall – and was promptly sent out to another League One club, Colchester United, until the end of the year.
The Welsh international was in the second month of his spell with Millwall, for whom he scored once in six first-team appearances. He was no longer required at The Den because the Lions are not now afflicted by the shortage of strikers which prompted them to recruit him, but he is needed in Essex.
Colchester have failed to score in their last two games, both of which were lost. Manager Paul Lambert has turned to a player he knows well to try to provide a change of fortune.
Lambert was in charge of Wycombe Wanderers when Easter was a regular scorer for the Buckinghamshire club, prior to his move to Argyle for a fee of £210,000 in January this year. "I've worked with Paul Lambert before, and I've done well for him," Easter told United's website yesterday.
"I know what he's all about, and he knows how to get the best out of me. I want to play, and that's why I've come here." The 26-year-old is set to feature in Colchester's squad for tomorrow's League One trip to Peterborough United.
Personal Injury Specialists. No Win No Fee, As Seen On TV.
Pet Insurance- 5% Online Discount
UK Pet Insurance. Buy instantly online. From just £4.85 per month.
Budget conservatories sale is on now. Extend your home from just £1295 with a budget conservatory.
Comment on this story