Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth goalkeeper Romain Larrieu has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at Home Park until 2008. "I am really, really happy and looking forward to the next three years," the Frenchman, 28, said. "They will be big years for the club. "The last four I have spent here have been big, but the ones ahead will be really big and I'm thrilled to be part of it," he told the club website. Larrieu was signed by former boss Paul Sturrock in December 2000. The big keeper has not been an automatic first choice this season and there was some doubt whether he would stay with Argyle following the emergence of Luke McCormick. But Larrieu is relishing the battle for the number one spot and is glad to be extending his stay. He admitted: "You are always disappointed when you don't play and I was weighing up the opportunities I had. "Sometimes in your career you need a fresh start and I wanted to make sure I didn't need one. That's why I signed for Plymouth." He added: "I like Luke as a person and as a goalkeeper. And as a goakeeper you need somebody else to help you."

Todd pleased to claim silverware
Exeter captain Chris Todd was pleased to lift the Devon St Luke's Bowl trophy after beating Plymouth 2-0 on Tuesday. "Every cup is nice to win and it's a good habit to get into," the defender told the Express & Echo newspaper. "Hopefully it will lead to better things - maybe we can go on and win the Conference next season." Todd headed the Grecians' first goal, while Lee Phillips' cross was turned into his own net by Argyle captain John Routledge for the second.

Plymouth complete Buzaky signing
Plymouth Argyle have signed Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky for an undisclosed fee from FC Porto. The 23-year-old has agreed a three-year contract with the Pilgrims after a successful loan spell at Home Park. Buzsaky joined Argyle initially in January and made 15 appearances for Bobby Williamson's team. He quickly became a favourite with fans, but the deal looked like falling through with the Portuguese giants demanding £350,000 for him.

Williamson planning more signings
Plymouth boss Bobby Williamson is planning further signings, after the permanent arrival of Akos Buzsaky - but will not go over budget. "I'm going to meet with the board to talk about the budget and to decide how many players we can bring in over the summer," he told BBC Radio Devon. "I'd much rather go for quality rather than quantity. "But we need a substantial squad for next season, because of the transfer window coming into force."

Geography concerns Plymouth boss
Boss Bobby Williamson has admitted that he sometimes has problems in persuading players to sign for Plymouth because of Argyle's geographical location. "If I can get players here, I have a good chance of getting them to stay here," he told the Evening Herald. "But a lot of them have the notion that we are so far away from everybody else. "I have to convince them that we will be doing more travelling by air rather than these long bus journeys, because it does take its toll on the players."

Coughlan concern at Argyle future
Plymouth defender Graham Coughlan is disappointed to have reached a "standstill" in contract talks. Coughlan has a year left on his current deal, but told the Evening Herald: "The club don't seem to want to budge. "I am proud of having played for the club for four years, and if they put something on the table I would stay. "My wife and I are having another baby soon, and I don't want a situation at the end of next season when I am out of contract," the 30-year-old added.

Dodd linked with Plymouth switch
Ex-Southampton defender Jason Dodd may be on his way to Plymouth after being released by the club after 16 years, along with former boss Steve Wigley. Dodd, 34, had a spell at Plymouth in March, and it is thought boss Bobby Williamson would like him back. "There's no bitterness. These things happen in football but I'd like to play on," said Dodd. "I have a family so we're not going to uproot. I'd commute or get a flat. I'd like things sorted before the weekend."

Plymouth complete Djordic signing
Plymouth Argyle have boosted their squad ahead of next season by signing former Manchester United and Rangers winger Bojan Djordic. The 23-year-old left Rangers in January's transfer window after he failed to make an impact in Glasgow. Pilgrims manager Bobby Williamson said: "I am delighted that Bojan is joining us. He will add to our squad and increase competition for places." Williamson has already signed Hungarian midfielder Akos Buzsaky from FC Porto.

Plymouth boss defiant on Coughlan
Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson insists Sheffield Wednesday have not enquired about Graham Coughlan. The 30-year-old defender has been linked with the Owls, who are managed by former Pilgrims' boss Paul Sturrock. "As of now, we have not heard anything from Sheffield Wednesday regarding Graham, or any of our players," Williamson told the Plymouth Herald. "Speculation will mount, but until we receive an offer for any of our players there is nothing to talk about." Coughlan has made almost 200 appearances for the Championship club.

Hodges pins hopes on specialist
Plymouth midfielder Lee Hodges will see a specialist in London to try and cure the back problem which ended his season four months early. Hodges, 31, made just 20 appearances - eight as substitute - last term before suffering a torn disc. Argyle phyio Paul Maxwell told the Plymouth Herald: "We will get an idea on where we go next. "Lee will have to look after his back for the rest of his career, but there's no reason why he can't play on."

Argyle man Sawyer in Exeter loan
Plymouth Argyle defender Gary Sawyer is to re-join Exeter City on a season-long loan deal. Sawyer spent last season with the Grecians and will repeat the arrangement next term after signing a new 12-month deal with Plymouth. "I was hoping to come back to Exeter next season with the security of a new contract at Home Park," the 19-year-old told the Express and Echo. The clubs are talking over a similar move for midfielder Marcus Martin.

Argyle unveil Swedish friendlies
Plymouth have inked in two of their planned three pre-season friendlies for their tour of Sweden in July. Argyle will face Umea FC on 21 July and IFK Holmsund two days later, with the opposition for their opening game on 19 July still to be confirmed. Chief executive Michael Dunford told the Evening Herald: "From what I have been told, Umea and Holmsund are good Conference or Third Division standard. "We are waiting for confirmation of the other game within the next week."

Plymouth looking to copy Charlton
Plymouth chief executive Michael Dunford reckons Premiership side Charlton have the sort of set-up that they should aim to replicate. "Everybody who has any feeling for this club wants to be part of a successful Plymouth, but wants it to retain its homely feel," he told the Herald. "If I could give an example it would be Charlton. They have been successful and have still retained a very homely feel. "They would be what I would consider a blueprint for this club." But Dunford added: "But we have only just started on the journey really."

Djordjic feels at home at Argyle
Plymouth Argyle new-boy Bojan Djordjic has already settled in at Home Park. The 23-year-old former Glasgow Rangers winger told BBC Radio Devon: "The fans think they know everything about a club, but players try to learn too. "I know who owns the club, and that Argyle's gates were down to 4,000 a few years ago - and I have even learnt about Drake's Island. "It's nice to know things, it shows the people I am not here to sit and take the money." The Belgrade-born former Manchester United trainee is keen to kickstart his career after a disappointing six-month spell with Glasgow Rangers. "I need to play 40 games a season. It's no good saying I was talented but not getting games," he added. "I have given myself a chance to be at a level I can play at." Pilgrims boss Bobby Williamson said: "He can play anywhere along the middle, and that's something I'm looking for - players who are versatile. "Bojan can give us that. He's very talented. All he has not had in Britain is a stage. "He was unfortunate at Glasgow Rangers that he picked up an injury not long after joining the club which kept him out for a few weeks. "Rangers then started picking up points and the manager didn't change the side, quite correctly. "At United we all know it's difficult to break into their team. "He's got an opportunity here. All I can do is give him a stage and hope that he gets the breaks along the way to do well."

Plymouth complete Barness swoop
Plymouth Argyle have signed former Bolton full-back Anthony Barness. The 32-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Pilgrims after being released by Wanderers at the end of last season. He spent five years at Bolton and Plymouth boss Bobby Williamson is delighted to bring him to Home Park. Williamson said: "Anthony has played in the Championship but most of his career has been in the Premiership and his experience will be important for us." Barness added to BBC Radio Devon: "My career was at a plateau so I see this as a fresh start. "It was frustrating then at Bolton that whatever level of performance I put in, it never satisfied the manager. "I saw Bobby during the transfer window so the move could have happened six months earlier. I wish it had, really. "I followed Plymouth's fortunes since then in case something happened and talked again two weeks ago, then had a holiday and now sorted everything really quickly."

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