Furious reaction from fans is justified - Cleverley

HEAD COACH OFFERS NO EXCUSES AFTER DERBY DEBACLE AT EXETER

- By CHRIS ERRINGTON

Dejection for Tom Cleverley after Plymouth Argyle's defeat at Exeter City

(PHIL MINGO/PPAUK)

TOM Cleverley described the angry reaction of the Green Army towards him and his Plymouth Argyle players after the 2-0 Devon derby defeat by Exeter City at St James Park as a 'deserved' one.

The Pilgrims are 21st in the League One table with 13 points from the same number of games this season after losing for the eighth time already. It was a dismal all-round display from Argyle against Exeter, who made a fast start to the match and once they took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from Reece Cole they were always in control.

Akeel Higgins extended City's lead in the 58th minute and the Pilgrims showed no signs of coming back from that. Predictably, and justifiably, those of the travelling Green Army who stayed until the bitter end greeted Cleverley and his players with loud boos and jeers when they went across towards them after the final whistle to acknowledge their support.

Asked how he felt about that reaction, Cleverley said: "Deserved. It hurts. We are all human beings, we want to be accepted by our supporters. There is me, there is a staff and 15 brand new players to this club, we want the acceptance of our support. We don't deserve it at the minute.