From the seventh minute to the 97th at the AESSEAL New York Stadium, Argyle tried to find their way back after going 1-0 down at Rotherham United.
The Pilgrims never managed it. A strike from Joe Rafferty, early in the encounter, ended up being the game’s only goal. The rest of the match was extremely open, with Argyle having plenty of opportunities to get level, all the while being open, and allowing the Millers the chance to draw further clear. Remarkably, one goal was all there was.
Argyle’s injury woes continued during the game. Julio Pleguezuelo was withdrawn at half-time because of a calf injury, while Tegan Finn limped off with a hamstring issue early in the second period. That is added to Mathias Ross, Conor Hazard and Bradley Ibrahim missing the game because of ailments picked up in the week, and a litany of others on the sidelines too.
This list of injured personnel, on top of a busy fixtures list of late, has perhaps taken its toll.
“I don't think I can be angry,” said Tom Cleverley after the game. “They're a group of players that are as thin as a squad of players gets. They're giving everything to the very last minute. Today we just looked like a team who is probably 10-20% down on energy, and the same in terms of quality.
“When you come away and you have 19 shots at their goal, we've got the quality in our group to turn up one or two of those into goals, today it just wasn't there.
“I felt like we showed good personality to go and get the equaliser, leaving ourselves a little bit open in the process. But that's the kind of team we are. That's probably why we've not had too many draws this season, because we take a lot of risk.
“Every time we seem to get on the verge of really being part of that play-off conversation, we just can't take that final hurdle.
“Pleggy felt something in his calf. He's really struggled with his body the whole season. We'll give him all the support we can. He's chasing his problems around his body at the minute. And Tegan, hamstring.
“It'll be a three-pronged attack on the issue, because it'll be from myself, training loads and how that transfers into our games. Then the medical team, we'll have a good look at that. And then the players themselves also have to have the responsibility to be in the best condition to perform.
“We just looked like a group where the last two demanding weeks maybe caught up with us a little bit. That was in all phases, not just the pressing, but I think the sharpness around their box. Normally you see our lads a lot more laser-focused and sharp to take those chances. We looked lacking a bit of energy today.”
