The ability to beat a bit of adversity is the factor that Tom Cleverley has highlighted following Argyle’s 3-2 win against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
The Greens headed to South Yorkshire on the back of a 2-0 loss at Leicester City four days previously, a game in which, on another day, Argyle could have taken a point or more.
Then, at Doncaster, having led via a goal from Will Evans, the Pilgrims were pegged back when Alfie May converted a penalty, and when Rovers had a spell on top with the game at 1-1, they did look the more likely to go on to win the game.
However, Cleverley used his bench well. Bradley Ibrahim and Owen Oseni shook things up in an attacking sense and, later, Mathias Ross and Alex Hartridge were deployed to protect a lead. However, Caleb Watts had the most notable impact, causing chaos immediately, setting a goal up for Bim Pepple, and then scoring a goal himself. Argyle let in a late one to make the scoreline look closer than it really was
“After the third goal for us, it could have been 4- or 5-1 - and probably should have been,” said Cleverley. “We're disappointed to concede a soft goal towards the end, but I'm thrilled with the result.
“The mentality to suffer Tuesday's setback, which was a big opportunity missed, and then to come back from an in-game setback, ultimately with the substitutes winning us the game today and their impact, is really pleasing, because the mentality of the players was strong.
“What Doncaster do really well is load the top line. They've always got numbers to play up to the top line to switch the play and try and isolate your full-back or for crossing moments.
“To regain the authority in the game after [the equaliser] was really pleasing, especially away from home.
“The substitutes were the reason. That's the mentality to show when you're a substitute, and that's how you end up ultimately in the team. I thought Caleb Watts was [very good] in the duels, his intensity, his understanding of what the game needs. And then he is the best that we've got in the box in terms of sniffing a goal out. For want of a better word, he's horrible in the box! He would throw anyone to the ground to get out of his way to score a goal.
“He was excellent. Bradley brought us some good energy and control. Owen looked a constant threat and [Owen and Bim] like playing with each other, which is always a positive. And then even Alex Hartridge had a part to play in the third goal.
“I think [attacking changes at 1-1] shows my mentality, what I think about draws. Some people may have viewed this as a positive away point today. It's just not in my nature. I went to win the game with the substitutes; ultimately, they have to go out there and deliver it - and they did.
“We played the squad with the highest value budget, the early favourites, in the week and a tough place to go. If we knew how the game was going to go and realised we lost that game, we'd be frustrated, which we are and I think we showed a little bit of that today. But to beat Bradford [at home] and Doncaster away.
“The fixture list has been tough. Three away games, playing four teams who were all expected to be top six and then a Doncaster team who's taken 30 points from their last 20.
“We won't now take our foot off the gas. I have to drive that Barnsley will come to us next week wanting to respond from a poor result today.”
--
You can watch Tom Cleverley’s Doncaster Rovers reaction on Argyle TV, in full, here.
