Why Paul Wotton is not surprised by Luke Jephcott's goal spree for Plymouth Argyle

The 20-year-old played for Pilgrims' legend Wotton when on loan to Truro City earlier this season

Paul Wotton has not been surprised by the success of striker Luke Jephcott since he returned to Plymouth Argyle from a loan spell at his Truro City.

The 20-year-old has hit the headlines by scoring five goals in as many games for the Pilgrims during January.

That has come after Jephcott spent the first half of the season with Wotton’s Truro in the Southern League.

He played games and scored goals regularly for the Cornish part-timers and has taken the confidence into his first team appearances for Argyle.

Wotton, who was Argyle’s assistant manager to Derek Adams when Jephcott made his debut in League One last season, has continued to follow his fortunes.

He told Plymouth Live: “I have seen his goals and it’s no surprise to me the finishes that he has had.

“I can’t speak highly enough of him when he was at Truro. He was brilliant. His attitude was great.

“He was pretty much the best player in every training session.

“He has always been a good finisher, even as a kid, off his left foot or his right foot, heading as well.

“If you give him a chance he will score. I’m really happy for him.”

Jephcott has been particularly impressive with the goalscoring positions he has taken up in the opposition penalty area and been able to get on the end of crosses.

Wotton said: “I would say five or six of his goals for Truro were like that as well.

“He wants to score goals and he’s a natural finisher. He finds himself in the right spot at the right time.

“Luke is unassuming. You don’t get a lot out of him but he’s good as gold.

“His workrate is brilliant as well. It has worked out really well for him and I’m glad I could help him in a little way.”

Jephcott is a good example of a young professional getting game-time at a lower level, in this the Southern League, and using it as a platform to build on when returning to his parent club.

Wotton said: “The biggest thing is that they play and keep playing pretty much every single minute.

“He wouldn’t have played that many games consecutively in his whole career.

“So it’s good to get used to playing that many games. The standard is good, he’s playing against loads of ex-professionals.

“I would say the vast majority of players have all been at professional clubs in some capacity.

“He’s also learning how to deal with physicality. He was coming up against a lot of what you would call no-nonsense centre-backs, but he handled that really well.

“He’s tough and doesn’t mind getting kicks so that was no drama.

“Whether he was low on confidence or fitness, or whatever, I don’t know but he came in and played games.

“He got himself incredibly fit and scored goals. If you are a centre-forward and scoring goals people take notice.”

Jephcott has come through the academy ranks at Argyle, including two years as an apprentice from 2016 to 2018.

Wotton said: “I have known him for a long time, since he was about 15.

“He made his debut when I was assistant manager to Derek and he played a few games in League One, so we obviously thought he could play.

“Then he went out of the team for whatever reason but he has come back and took his chance now.”

Jephcott has been used by Argyle manager Ryan Lowe as one of two forwards in his side, and that is what Wotton did at Truro as well.

Wotton said: “He played as a striker, I would say, probably 60 per cent of the time and he also played as a number 10 for me.

“I see a lot of people saying they think he’s a winger. I don’t personally.

“I think he’s a centre-forward and he can play in a one-up front on his own when he gets a bit older because his link-up play is really good. He’s a clever football player.”

He added: “I would like to think we have helped him a little bit.

“We train a lot and he takes things on board, but it’s all down to Luke. He came down with the right attitude to Truro.

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“He could easily have sulked and felt sorry for himself, but he didn’t.

“It’s all down to Luke. It’s not down to me, or Plymouth Argyle or Ryan Lowe. Luke has done it, he’s the one has done the work.

“Hopefully he gets his rewards but I’m sure he realises that it’s just a start.

“You have highs and lows in your career and at the minute he’s on a high. Long may it continue.”