Argyle must go back to basics in attempt to arrest poor form

WHEN things in football go as badly wrong as they are for Plymouth Argyle at the moment there is never one quick fix that will solve the situation.

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Tom Cleverley has plenty of work to do to improve Plymouth Argyle

(ALAN STANFORD/PPAUK)

If only it was that easy! There are multiple issues Tom Cleverley’s Pilgrims are having to deal with, such as the players clearly being short of confidence after their struggles this season, a lack of experience and leadership in the squad, and a seemingly never-ending injury list.

It is now four successive defeats for Argyle, with the first three coming in League One, including the Devon derby debacle against Exeter City at St James Park, and then the latest one when they lost 2-0 away to Wycombe Wanderers in the Emirates FA Cup first round on Saturday.

The increasing frustration - and anger - among the Green Army was very evident after the game against Wycombe, both towards Cleverley and the players.

When confidence and form is low, there are no easy answers, but in my view the top priority for Argyle now has to be on improving their defending as a team and their goals-against record.

It was a huge issue for the Pilgrims under Wayne Rooney last season, and it is has become the same for his former Manchester United and England teammate too.