Plymouth Argyle may have found solution to big issue - One concern remains for Tom Cleverley though | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle have suffered a nightmare start to their 2025/26 League One campaign

Plymouth Argyle have suffered a nightmare start to life back in League One.

Tom Cleverley’s side have lost five of their opening six games in the division, with a victory over Blackpool the only source of positivity thus far.

Victories over QPR and Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup and EFL Trophy, respectively, have been other signs that the squad are gelling, but points on the League One board are what Argyle need more than anything.

The Pilgrims made 15 signings in a summer of extensive business, with players such as Lorent Tolaj, Aribim Pepple and Ayman Benarous now operating out of Home Park.

Naturally, a squad overhaul of such magnitude needs time to settle, but with Plymouth currently sitting 21st in League One and in the relegation zone, it is critical that results must soon be on the horizon.

Defensive woes have been a real area of concern for Cleverley, with his side shipping 13 goals in six League One matches. The former Watford boss has identified this as something that needs addressing sooner rather than later and has taken immediate action.

Mathias Ross could provide Plymouth Argyle with positive boost, Tom Cleverley must manage one key element

Mathias Ross was signed by Plymouth this summer from Sparta Prague and made his debut against Cheltenham Town in the EFL Trophy.

The 24-year-old looked to be a refreshing presence in the Argyle backline, with his towering profile matching his centre-back partner, Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, well.

Their first game together resulted in a 2-0 win for the Pilgrims, keeping just a second clean sheet of the campaign.

Calls may already be coming from Plymouth supporters to throw Ross into the starting XI for their upcoming league fixture against Stockport County, but Cleverley will be wary of one key factor.

The Danish defender arrived at Home Park with his fitness levels below the required standard after not featuring much for Sparta Prague last term.

Therefore, it is crucial that Plymouth manage the centre-half’s minutes well. English football has an intensity like no other and adapting to it can be a shock for players coming in at full strength.

Cleverly will be overly keen not to ask more of Ross than he can currently manage with this fact in mind, as the risk it brings far outweighs any potential reward.

With such poor defensive displays so far, Argyle can’t afford to lose a promising new centre-back to injury when their lack of fitness was well known.

Although the temptation may be there to rush Ross into becoming a regular starter, Cleverly and Co. must make the correct decision with the long term in mind.

Plymouth Argyle will hope Mathias Ross’ introduction can improve their league form

Although Ross impressed in the EFL Trophy, it’s points in the league that Plymouth Argyle supporters are crying out for at this moment in time.

The Pilgrims will want to avoid staying in League One’s bottom four for any longer than they currently have been and dispel any early notions of relegation to the fourth-tier.

Solidifying their backline will be a surefire way of turning defeats into draws and wins, so it’s somewhat understandable to hope that Ross’ introduction could give Cleverley’s defence a new lease of life.

However, if Argyle still can’t stop conceding after the Dane becomes a regular starter, the threat of dropping to the bottom tier of the EFL will become harrowingly realistic for the supporters at Home Park.