Tom Cleverley's EFL Trophy comment has left Plymouth Argyle fans raging - He "should be sacked" for it | OneFootball

Supporters left baffled by Cleverley’s post-match comments as Argyle slump to the bottom of the League One

Plymouth Argyle’s dismal season took another turn for the worse on Saturday as they slumped to a fifth consecutive defeat.

The 3-1 loss to Huddersfield Town left Argyle rooted to the bottom of League One on just 13 points, five adrift of safety, and deep in danger of back-to-back relegations after dropping out of the Championship last term.

Huddersfield ended their own losing run in style, with goals from Bojan Radulovic, Dion Charles and Cameron Ashia sealing the points before Lorent Tolaj grabbed a late consolation for the Pilgrims.

For the travelling 1,200-strong Green Army, it was another long afternoon with little to cheer - and post-match comments from boss Tom Cleverley only poured salt into the wound.

Tom Cleverley’s EFL Trophy comment that has sparked fury from Plymouth Argyle fans

Facing the cameras after the defeat, Cleverley tried to strike an optimistic tone, and as they head to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night to take on the Gas in the EFL Trophy, where they sit top of the league phase in their group - but his comments have seemingly backfired.

“We will work harder than ever and really knuckle down,” Cleverley said.

“And like I said, a competition we’re top of the league in and can take a bit of positivity from that.”

The “competition” in question is the Vertu Motors EFL Trophy, where Argyle currently sit top of their Southern Group B - ahead of Bristol Rovers, Cheltenham Town and Tottenham Hotspur under-21's.

Given the club’s precarious league position, many supporters saw the remark as wildly out of touch, with one claiming that the current Argyle boss is "clueless".

Another Pilgrims fan was hoping that Cleverley's words were not real given that they sit at the foot of the League One table, but they were very much said by the ex-Man United man.

This Plymouth fan meanwhile has sarcastically told the club to get the open top bus parade ready for the fact they are top of what is seen as a minor competition, whilst they are struggling at the wrong end of the League One standings.

And understandably, based on recent performances, many are calling for Cleverley to be relieved of his managerial duties, but his Vertu Trophy comments are a sackable offence in itself for one fan.

It is clear that many Plymouth fans feel strongly about Cleverley's words, with one supporter dubbing them 'disgusting'.

Argyle have picked up just one league win in nearly two months and scored only twice in their last five outings.

For a side staring down the barrel of consecutive relegations, a consoling nod to group-stage form in a secondary cup competition wasn’t what fans wanted to hear.

Pressure builds as Tom Cleverley clings to sparse Plymouth Argyle positives

For a Plymouth Argyle fanbase already on edge thanks to their league position, Cleverley's comment was less a rallying cry than the final straw.

The former Watford manager isn't giving up though, and has vowed to fight on whilst he is still manager of the Devon outfit.

“It hurts a hell of a lot to say your football team’s at the bottom of the league,” Cleverley admitted after the game.

“That really hurts my pride... but something that is in my nature is fighting, and until told otherwise I will grit my teeth, I will work hard."

The 35-year-old, who took over in the summer after Miron Muslic’s resignation, has faced a relentless run of injuries and a paper-thin squad.

Recruitment has been heavily criticised, with Lorent Tolaj the only experienced forward signed in the window. Yet the young manager has repeatedly refused to lean on excuses, insisting his focus is on solutions.

Still, patience is wearing thin. The Pilgrims' September revival - five wins from six in all competitions - now feels like a distant memory. The mood among supporters has soured, with boos greeting the final whistle at Huddersfield.

For all Cleverley’s insistence on hard work and mentality, results remain damning. Argyle have conceded 32 goals in 14 league matches and collected just one point from their last five.