'Substance over style' working for Argyle - Cleverley
Tom Cleverley has seen Plymouth Argyle take nine points from their last five matches
- Published
Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley says he is going for "substance over style" following a fourth 1-0 win in six games.
The victory over Rotherham United was the fifth time in that six-game period that there had been just one goal in a Pilgrims match as Cleverley tries to drag his side away from the League One relegation zone.
And three points gained saw Argyle move up to 21st in League One, only inside the drop zone on goal difference.
The change in style followed a seven-game winless run that saw Argyle lose six matches in a row and drop to the bottom of the third tier.
"We took a decision about six weeks ago to make sure that we're all on the same page on how we're going to be successful, and that decision will be substance over style for the coming weeks with the group that we've got and the players at our disposal," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon.
"I think substance over style is important, I think that's four 1-0 wins in our last six and the guys are doing all the fundamentals and basics to a really high level.
"It's not the prettiest on the eye at times, but they really are fighting for one another, fighting for the shirt, putting their bodies on the line."
The condensed nature of the League One table means there are just three points separating Argyle and Wycombe, who are 12th, with the play-off places a further seven points away.
Cleverley says that gap being cut to one win is important for his side psychologically.
"I do like the fact that that's taken us three points from the top half. No-one sits comfortably being the wrong side of the line, but now we're three points from the top half and we're looking forward," he added.
"But the biggest thing is the fundamentals and the ability to be able to keep clean sheets as it will always give you a chance to put a run of results together.
"I want to play attractive football as much as you want to see and watch attractive football, but right now this is our best way of being effective and we are starting to be."
