PETER Reid promised "we'll get it right" after witnessing his Argyle side slide to a 3-1 defeat at Devon neighbours Torquay United on Tuesday.
An early Craig Noone goal promised good things for the Pilgrims, but Lloyd Macklin equalised before the interval, Elliot Benyon netted the go-ahead goal early in the second half, and Nicky Wroe's last-minute penalty emphasised the home side's dominance.
"I thought the better team won," said Peter. "I thought Torquay were better; I thought they were hungrier and wanted it more than us.
"We started off well, passed the ball well, and got a really good goal. But, after that, our passing went and our shape went and, to be fair, [Torquay] looked a lot stronger and fitter than us.
"It's a friendly and I made so many changes that you are not going to get any continuity, but we worked on shape and the shape completely went.
"Whether that's tiredness or [the players] not understanding it, we'll get it right on the training-ground."
Among the changes made by Peter during the game were the introductions of two 22-year-old trialists: Bermudian goalkeeper Freddy Hall, and striker Manuel Mencé, latterly of Martinique First Division side RC Riviere-Pilote.
Less than a fortnight into his management of the Pilgrims, Peter admitted that the defeat, unpalatable as it was, may have long-term benefits.
"I'm learning," he said. "I'm learning about the players. Sometimes you learn an awful lot in defeat, and I certainly did this evening. It's been invaluable for me.
"I'm not pleased with the result and the performance, but I am pleased I have got something out of it.
"There's plenty of time to go before the first game of the season. One of the good things about today is that it is today, and it is not the first game of the season.
"We have got plenty of things to work on.
"I was very disappointed with certain aspects of our play.
"There's no excuse. It was just basics. I don't think we passed the ball. I want to play a passing game but, if we can't do it, I've got to change it.
"I might have to go a bit earlier up to the front man and get support up there, because we lost the ball too many times in midfield areas and [Torquay] were at us and it wasn't great.
"Even though it's a friendly, I don't like getting beaten in games."
