What Tom Cleverley said after Plymouth Argyle's loss to Exeter City - many Pligrims are fuming | OneFootball

Exeter City won the Devon derby against Plymouth for the first time in six years, and Argyle fans are understandably unhappy with Tom Cleverley.

Exeter City came out on top in the Devon derby for the first time in six years, as they beat Plymouth Argyle 2-0 on home soil.

Reece Cole netted early on for Exeter, before Akeel Higgins raced through on goal to double the lead for the hosts in the early stages of the second half.

For Plymouth, the loss means that they remain just outside the relegation zone before the weekend's fixtures take place, after Tom Cleverley's men have failed to win four of their last five League One matches.

Cleverley delivered an honest response following the derby defeat, and as is expected, Pilgrims fans are not happy.

Tom Cleverley responds following derby defeat

"I think we're all quite embarrassed by that performance," said Cleverley, speaking to Plymouth's media team following the loss.

"That is a strong word in the football industry - we are embarrassed by that performance. We know that they're [fans] suffering a lot of pain right now."

Following Miron Muslic's move to German giants Schalke over the summer, Cleverley was brought in to guide the Pilgrims back out of League One following his Watford dismissal.

Things have not gone as planned, however, with Argyle picking up just 13 points in their opening 13 third-tier matches, while fellow relegated sides Cardiff and Luton sit at the top of the league, and 15th respectively.

"I am sure there will be a lot of people who regret that performance. Me first, there will be a lot of accountability held for it," said Cleverley.

"We have to work harder than ever to make sure we react to that. We have to remember this, when they come to our place, we have to remember this performance," concluded the Argyle boss.

Plymouth fans are clearly unhappy with Cleverley

Following the post featuring Cleverley's interview on X, many Pilgrims took to the replies to express their dissatisfaction after the first derby defeat in six years.

A common theme within the fanbase revolves around the idea of how Argyle's non-performance was the sole cause of defeat, rather than simply being outplayed by their arch-rivals.

Following the theme of the evening, both players and management have been called out thanks to the result, which leaves Argyle dangling just outside the League One drop zone.

Plymouth need a response - and fast

When it comes to goals conceded, only Leyton Orient match the tally of Argyle's 23, and it is hard to argue that it is anything but deserved at Home Park.

The Pilgrims carry a tally of 19.2 expected goals against after their opening 13 matches - the fourth highest in League One behind Burton, Blackpool and Rotherham - with all three battling at the wrong end of the division.

And things don't get much better at the other end of the pitch, with Plymouth's expected goals stat sitting at 15.6, with 17 goals scored. The simple fact of the matter is that Argyle are not creating in the final third - despite their 53.3% average possession - and are handing the opposition goals.

The feeling was that Cleverley lost his job at Watford somewhat unfairly over the summer, and Plymouth provided an opportunity for the ex-Manchester United midfielder to bounce back immediately.

However, what has followed could not be further away from a managerial bounce-back. Cleverley needs results to save his own coaching reputation, while Argyle are in desperate need of points to drag them away from the drop zone.

Following what was deemed an "embarrassing" derby defeat, the Pilgrims now turn their attention to a pivotal away clash against Mansfield on Tuesday evening. Anything less than three points could prove fatal for Cleverley, while Plymouth could be left in the bottom three.