Plymouth Argyle will look to strengthen their defensive set up before the end of the transfer window, Tom Cleverley has revealed.
After a dreadful opening few months in League One, the Pilgrims have finally started to resemble a team that is much better than their league position suggests. Having spent the majority of the campaign in the relegation places, a run of one defeat in seven has seen them move up to 16th.
A return to league action awaits this weekend when the Devon-based side travel to Peterborough United. This follows an excellent midweek result which saw them progress to the EFL Trophy quarter final with a last ditch 4-3 victory over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
New Signing Impresses On Debut
The clash at the Memorial Stadium gave supporters a first glimpse at new signing Ronan Curtis, who arrived from Port Vale last weekend. The 29-year-old reunited with former teammate Lorent Tolaj, who switched Vale Park for Home Park in the summer.
The winger showed his class, providing three assists in his debut outing, including Tolaj’s 49th minute strike. He also acted as playmaker for Aribim Pepple’s dramatic added time winner.
Three assists on debut. 🪄
Welcome to the Greens, Ronan Curtis! 💚 pic.twitter.com/TFmw3AESQl
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) January 13, 2026
Cleverley Outlines Plan To Strengthen Defence
With the attacking area of the pitch looking in good shape, Cleverley has now switched his attention to his backline. In truth, this has been a problem all season, with Plymouth having shipped 39 goals in the league thus far. Only Doncaster Rovers and Leyton Orient have conceded more.
A recent shift of position to left-back for Brendan Galloway means that loanee Alex Mitchell and Mathias Ross are the only two fit senior members of the squad capable of operating at centre-back. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see the coach prioritise another player to fill that void. Via Plymouth Live, the former Watford boss said:
“It’s always a moving landscape. I think we have certainly selected one position we need to strengthen in, just because of a lack of numbers.
“With Brendan playing so well at left-back, it just leaves Mathias and Mitch fit at centre-half so we are extremely short in that area of the pitch.
“I think we are clear a centre-half is a priority. If Brendan plays at left-back it leaves us no options at centre-half on the bench at the minute with Pleggy (Julio Pleguezuelo) injured.”
The 36-year-old also hopes to bring in one more player, although has admitted that it will likely be later in the window:
“Then we will probably take the last one into the last week of the window and see if there have been any more injuries, has there been anything in the team’s performance we are missing.”
Despite their recent upturn in fortunes, Plymouth still remain just three points above the drop zone. However, a win on Saturday could see them move into the top half for the first time this season.