Tom Cleverley says he won’t be “stubborn” over systems at Plymouth Argyle, but the head coach still sees a back four as the team’s clearest route forward.
The Pilgrims have lost five of their opening six League One matches and were beaten 4–0 at Cardiff City last weekend, prompting questions about shape and approach.
‘I’m an adaptor’ — but back four remains the direction
Cleverley has started the campaign in a 4-2-3-1, yet insists he will switch if performance demands it. With versatile options such as Ayman Benarous, Joe Edwards, Bali Mumba and Matty Sorinola, Argyle could flip to wing-backs and a back three when needed.
“I would say that I’m an adaptor. To be able to change is one of my strengths. I played a back three at my previous club (Watford). I know all the details that comes with that, so it’s something I have coached before.
“I see the direction of the team being a back four but I’m not stubborn when it comes to systems. If you watched a lot of teams, one player being five yards here or five yards there is the difference between a 3-4-3 or a 4-2-3-1.
“We try and create a little bit of a three at times when we have the ball. It’s something I think I’m good at, knowing when something needs to change and I’m not scared to do that.”
League One
The 4–0 defeat in South Wales stung, but Cleverley framed it through process rather than panic. He argued the scoreline reflected Argyle drifting from their non-negotiables after early setbacks and a congested run, Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, that has contributed to mental and physical fatigue.
Tomorrow’s home game against Stockport County will be Argyle’s 10th match in 36 days, and with no midweek fixture to follow, he is “craving” time on the grass to reset habits.
Stockport test and a process-first reset
Argyle sit 21st ahead of the visit of Dave Challinor’s side, who are eighth after losing just one of their first six and were play-off semi-finalists last season. Cleverley has done his homework, watching County’s 2–0 opening-weekend win over Bolton Wanderers. He praised their balance and experience, highlighting veteran midfielder Oliver Norwood, and expects a high-level contest if Argyle deliver their “processes” across all phases.
Writer’s View
Cleverley’s stance feels sensible: keep the back-four framework that suits Argyle’s personnel, but be pragmatic within it. The Pilgrims’ issue at Cardiff looked less about formation and more about behaviours when the tide turned, distances, decision speed and rest-defence.
A calmer, process-led response should play to Cleverley’s strengths as a coach. Stockport will stress-test that plan with their control and nous, yet a sharper Argyle press and cleaner build-up (with the option to morph into a three) could tilt the margins at Home Park. After a bruising start, performance foundations first; the results tend to follow.
