Plymouth Argyle fans are demanding Ben Waine steps up and earns his spot in the team after his comments in a recent interview.
Waine stated in a post-match interview on Saturday that he’s “just being patient and waiting for a chance to come along.”
This sparked criticism from fans such as Charles Austen, he said: “You can’t come out and say you’re just waiting to be selected, you should be fighting for your place in the starting eleven relentlessly until you’re the first name on the team sheet every week.”
Plymouth play their 6th game in only 18 days tomorrow against fifth place West Bromwich Albion and with Ryan Hardie available for selection after being briefly rested by Manager Ian Foster, there is no doubt over who the gaffer will select.
Waine gave his opinion on the schedule saying: “Crazy is probably the only way to describe it. From where I have come from you play 25-26 games a year. It’s 46 here. It’s carnage but it’s the best thing.
Charles strongly reacted to this, saying: “These are just excuses. You’re playing in the second highest division in arguably the toughest footballing climate in the world. If you aren’t willing to give your all to make the step up, then you don’t belong here.”
The New Zealand international has had a tough first season for the Pilgrims in the championship, securing only 3 goal contributions in 23 games in a league that demands quality.
However, Ryan Hardie, his competition to be the frontman of the Greens has outperformed what fans expected of the 26-year-old this season, netting 11 goals and 4 assists to tally up some serious number.
It remains to be seen whether Waine will up his efforts to prove himself to the Green Army but with recurring injuries to Mustapha Bundu and deserved rest for Hardie surely soon to impair their games. There will be plenty of opportunity for the 22-year-old to shine in the remaining months of the season.