Tom Cleverley lifts the lid on Plymouth Argyle’s surprising January transfer decision | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley has explained the League One club's decision not to sign a striker in the winter transfer window.

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley has opened up on the League One side's surprising decision not to acquire a new striker in the winter transfer window.

The Pilgrims sit just six points clear of the third-tier relegation zone ahead of Saturday's meeting with second-place Lincoln City.

Argyle were beaten 2-1 by Stockport County last time out, while four sides below Cleverley's men boast games in hand on them, adding to their relegation worries.

Plymouth used the transfer window to sign players such as former Rotherham United defender Wes Harding, but opted against the acquisition of a number nine.

Tom Cleverley praises Bim Pepple and Owen Oseni as he defends Plymouth Argyle transfer call

The Pilgrims have been able to count on the prolific services of Lorent Tolaj, who has notched 12 goals and four assists in 24 League One appearances this season.

However, fellow strikers Bim Pepple and Owen Oseni have scored just eight third-tier goals between them this term, leading to questions over Argyle's strength in depth in attack.

Despite that, the Devon outfit chose not to sign another striker, with Cleverley telling BBC Sport: "I think the form of Bim and the form of Owen pre-injury has proved that they're the strikers for the here and now.

"We brought them to the club to develop and to be sort of fringe players and future number nines, starting number nines. But they've both proved they're capable of doing the job now, and their form, along with I do see Caleb Watts being able to play that sort of hybrid nine or 10 role in a 4-4-2, then there's your four (with Tolaj).

"The squad size and the finances mean that, of course, in every area of the pitch, you're trying to bring in the highest quality you possibly can, but for a number nine, finance is a big issue when you're going to improve on what we've got as a really successful strikeforce at the minute."

Tom Cleverley will likely be proven right by Plymouth Argyle transfer call

Cleverley is right to outline that Pepple has been in good form in recent weeks, as the 23-year-old has scored three goals in his last five games across all competitions.

However, his overall return of six goals in 25 appearances across all competitions makes less inspiring reading.

Oseni has been similarly inconsistent, scoring just four goals in 18 League One outings this season, albeit he has recently returned from injury, as alluded to by the Argyle boss.

Cleverley's decision not to sign a new forward should turn out to be the right call, though, as Tolaj's performances this season suggest that he is capable of spearheading his side away from trouble, while Pepple and Oseni are still relatively young players who are still developing.

Plymouth had enjoyed a seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions before last weekend's defeat at Stockport, proving they can avoid relegation.

Furthermore, with the League One table being tighter than usual this season, a comfortable top-half finish could be on the cards for the Pilgrims, especially with Tolaj's form on their side.