Forshaw happy to be Argyle's father figure

ADAM Forshaw believes he has joined an exciting young squad at Plymouth Argyle and at the age of 32 he sees it as his responsibility to pass on his experience to his teammates.

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

The midfielder, who played in the Premier League for Leeds United, joined the Pilgrims last month on a permanent deal from Championship rivals Norwich City.

Forshaw made his Argyle debut the day after he signed, when he started the come-from-behind 3-1 win against Cardiff City at Home Park, but he had to sit out the 1-1 FA Cup fourth-round tie at Leeds United last weekend because he was cup-tied. He will now hope to return to the team when the Pilgrims are away to Swansea City in the Championship tomorrow.

"It's an exciting squad, a lot of young lads cutting their teeth in the game," said Forshaw. "There is some real talent, lads who have got desire to go higher and hopefully we can all do that together here with Plymouth.

"It keeps me young. I was mentioning to Neil (Dewsnip, Argyle's director of football) after training the way some of the young lads move, they are free and that was me once before.

"It keeps you on your toes, you have to be at it every day because the way the game is going now everyone is predominantly an athlete. It's something that drives me to continue and stay with them." Argyle signed four England youth internationals on loan during the winter transfer window, including the midfield pair of Alfie Devine and Darko Gyabi.

Forshaw said: "I know Darko from Leeds. I think it's a responsibility when you get to my age not just to come in and play football and try to perform but I have to help and mentor some of the lads around me, the likes of Alfie.