Two of Argyle’s newest players were notably involved in the Pilgrims’ 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town in the Vertu Trophy.
On Mathias Ross’s debut, he played his part in keeping a clean sheet. Cheltenham did not offer a huge threat, but Ross looked accomplished in not only his first start for Argyle, but his first start for anyone since November.
At the other end, Lorent Tolaj scored his first Argyle goal, putting the Pilgrims in front in the fifth minute, and then bagged his second in the 45th.
Following a defeat against Cardiff City three days earlier, Head Coach Tom Cleverley is hoping that the win against Cheltenham can be used as a catalyst for future matches.
“We wanted to use it as an opportunity to get some form, get some rhythm,” Cleverley told Argyle TV after the game. “I thought we did that in large parts of the game, where we looked in real control. The last bit we need to work on is our final third and productivity around the box. We are creating a lot of moments and openings, but we’ve not got that killer instinct – Tolly (Lorent Tolaj) aside.
“I thought he took his goals beautifully. He gives us that, and that’s what we brought him to the club to do.
“His performances have been strong. As a striker, you’ve always got in the back of your mind that you want to get off the mark. It was only a matter of time. I see on the training pitch his quality.
“He’s a real all-rounder, but if you had to pick out two strengths, it would be his movement and his finishing, and that’s two things I value in a number nine.
“It’s the first two of many goals he will score for this football club, and we’re pleased with how he has settled in.
“[Mathias was] very assured. He’s a leader, he talks really well, which is something we’re not blessed with. To have him and Joe [Edwards] on the pitch at the same time really made a difference to the organisation of the team.
“I thought he was dominant aerially, and comfortable on the ball. As far as a debut goes, I thought it was really clean and efficient. The minutes in his legs will do him the world of good as well.
“I’m pleased with how professionally the lads approached the game, and a clean sheet to go with that.
“We’re yet to put the complete performance in, but you’ve got to give our lads credit sometimes. I thought the mindset and approach, the areas we had to improve on from the weekend, we did this evening. The players did that really well and efficiently tonight.
“The icing on the cake would have been to win by three, four, five – but I would have taken [2-0] before this evening.”
