After securing his second promotion from League Two in his managerial career with Plymouth Argyle in the 2019-20 season, Ryan Lowe is now embarking on his first full season as a manager in League One with the Pilgrims.
The circumstances in which it was secured proved to be something of an anti-climatic - the points per game method due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Argyle can take inspiration from last season's League One promotion winners; champions Coventry City, runners-up Rotherham United and play-off winners Wycombe Wanderers all displayed fine examples where good recruitment, a defined playing style and a talented management can achieve, as all three outperformed better supported and better resourced sides - most notably Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town.
Lowe has looked to revitalise his squad with a number of new signings, including midfielder Lewis McLeod from Wigan Athletic, Franck Nouble from Colchester United and Kelland Watts on loan from Newcastle United. All three started the Pilgrims' recent 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Queens Park Rangers, with Nouble scoring the winner.
Last season's loan signings Ryan Hardie and George Cooper have both returned to the club on a permanent basis from their parent clubs Blackpool and Peterborough United respectively. Midfielder George Cooper's signing from Peterborough is a particular statement of intent from the Pilgrims, as he agreed a three-year deal after Lowe paid an undisclosed fee for his services. He looks set to fill the void left by Antoni Sarcevic's return north to sign for Bolton Wanderers.
Another player making a return to Home Park is goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who starts a third spell with the Pilgrims after signing from Swindon Town. In his first spell with the Pilgrims between 2001 and 2008, McCormick was mentored by Romain Larrieu and he will be looking to provide the same level of guidance to young goalkeeping hopeful Michael Cooper, who will be looking to establish himself as first choice keeper.
At the other end of the pitch, young striker Luke Jephcott will be looking to build on a promising season which saw him score four goals in six league appearances, which helped him to earn a call-up to the Wales Under-21 side.
History has shown when Plymouth Argyle win promotion the fourth tier that they can make a big impact in their new surroundings; After winning the Division Three title in the 2001-02 season under Paul Sturrock they finished eighth in Division Two and they followed up their promotion from League Two under Derek Adams in the 2016-17 campaign with a seventh-placed finish in the 2017-18 campaign. One thing is for sure - under Ryan Lowe the Pilgrims will be looking to do more than just make up the numbers in League One.
Player to watch: Danny Mayor
A key player in both of Ryan Lowe's promotions with Bury and the Pilgrims, the Argyle boss has said that he wants the former Shakers playmaker to be more selfish after only scoring once in 40 appearances in the 2019-20 season. This is in direction contrast to the 2018-19 campaign with Bury, where he scored 12 times in 43 starts and one sub appearance. He has already opened his account by scoring against QPR in the Carabao Cup and he has also taken over the penalty takers responsibility following the departure of Antoni Sarcevic.
