Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley has confirmed his side are looking to bring another striker in, despite confirming the signings of both Owen Oseni and Bim Pepple, according to Plymouth Live.
Argyle have been busy in the transfer window so far, signing eight players, but have also lost 11 after their relegation from the Championship.
New manager Cleverley took the job at Home Park after former manager Miron Muslic controversially left the club to pursue an opportunity at German club Schalke.
Out of the eight players who have been brought in, two are strikers, with Pepple joining from Luton Town and Oseni joining from Scottish side St. Mirren.
Strikers Ryan Hardie and Mustapa Bundu have both departed the club after scoring 20 goals between them last season. Hardie, who scored 10 Championship goals last season, has left the club to join newly promoted Championship side Wrexham, whilst Bundu has also opted for a move to Germany, joining Hannover 96.
Ben Waine has also departed the club upon the expiry of his contract, joining Port Vale, whilst Michael Obafemi has returned to his parent club, Burnley.
High Praise But Youthful Inexperience?
Cleverley was full of praise for the new additions, however, with the pair being both just 22 years old, it sounds like the club wants a more experienced striker to lead the line.
“Owen is a technically good, pacy striker. He has got some real good qualities you can see to work with. He has got an attitude to want to improve, and that’s key to anyone fulfilling their potential. He wants to listen, wants to learn.
“Bim has got a great attitude. You can tell he’s really happy to be here, which are the kind of players that we want, and he has got a work ethic, so I’m looking forward to going on a journey with him.
“Those guys (Oseni and Pepple), I’m sure, will have as good a chance, opportunity, platform to get the number nine starting spot as anyone else, but I think they will also know that they have development in them. They have got potential we need to fulfil.”
Plymouth Argyle Working Hard in the Market
Speaking to Plymouth Live, Clevereley confirmed a new number nine is a priority:
“Yes, I’m sure we will get someone in who maybe is a little bit more developed or in a position to have the expectation of being this club’s number nine, and we are working hard to do that.
“There should be pressure on us to win this year, and when you are the number nine in a team that has to win, that takes big shoulders. The character of the player, whoever it may be, takes part in our decision-making. I can’t tell you we are really far down the line, but the wheels are in motion and we are hopeful to have that player in sooner rather than later.”
Writer’s View
With just under a month left of the window, more signings may be on the horizon for the Pilgrims, who are looking to bounce back to the Championship at the first time of asking. However, with so many crucial players leaving, they need to make sure they get this window right in terms of player recruitment.
So far, they have brought in a mixture of youthful talents and players with experience, meaning it might be an interesting, hopefully good season for Argyle.
