Argyle may only have scored one goal from their last two games – a 3-0 loss against Northampton, and a 1-0 win at Leyton Orient - but Tom Cleverley is encouraged by the amount of chances being created now by his team.
Cleverley was buoyed by the opportunities Argyle had – even if many were not taken – in Tuesday’s Vertu Trophy win at Orient. And he could also be bolstered by the return to the squad of Xavier Amaechi, missing since the end of August with a hamstring injury, and the re-emergence of Julio Pleguezuelo, who safely came through 45 minutes in the Trophy game.
A major downside, going into Saturday’s home game against Bradford City, is that leading goalscorer Lorent Tolaj, the only Pilgrim to score since the end of September, is going to be missing for three games with suspension.
“The numbers don't lie,” Cleverley said, speaking to Argyle TV. “He's been our talisman; he's our matchwinner - and now it's time for someone else, or some others, to step up and really take that responsibility.
“I think the pleasing thing about Tuesday and the first half against Northampton is we're creating chances. Not just number of chances, but quality of chances. It's only a matter of time before they start hitting the back of the net.
“I thought we backed up our Port Vale performance with a great start to the game against Northampton. Now, if the first goal goes in, I think it's a different story. Or if their centre-half gets sent off, it's a different story.
“I was really pleased with the first half. Now, what we've not managed to do is deal with a setback, this season. If you take the last five games, I think there's been some very consistent periods of play, barring the second half at Huddersfield and the second half against Northampton. They've been fairly damaging halves of football, but the consistent things with those two games are they are the only periods of play we've had to be behind.
“We've just not got over that mental hurdle. So, we've helped the players with that. They've really rolled their sleeves up. The supporters will help us. We are preparing the team to start fast and take the first goal on Saturday.
“I feel like four players have rediscovered their form. Brendan Wiredu back in midfield; Jamie Paterson, for me, his best performance of the season [at Orient]; Xavier Amaechi, he's had a great week's training, although he didn't play [on Tuesday], but he'll be in the squad on Saturday. And Pleggy is now available to start, if that's how we decide to use him.”
Bradford arrive at Home Park third in the league, with form that is difficult to describe. Factually, the Bantams have lost just two league games all season; they also have just one win in their last nine in all competitions, with plenty of league draws and a couple of Trophy losses skewing the figures a little.
All that said, the vasty experienced Bradford side are sure to be a tough prospect, and Cleverley is well aware of the threats they will pose.
“You'd describe them as competitive,” said Cleverley. “They're intense, they've got very good experience in their team, good physical attributes in their team, and it's been a great start to life in League One for them.
“They're a team that's not obsessed with having the football, they're happy to let you have it and then from there they're the best counter-attack team in the league. They’ve done a fantastic job to transition into the division so well. [They are a] well-respected team, and we have to be on our best form to make sure that we take points from the game.”
