After defeats to Huddersfield Town and Stevenage, Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has set out altering a few things to try to improve Argyle’s fortunes.
Step one had an immediate effect. The Greens won 3-2 at Cambridge United last Saturday, thanks in part to a shift in formation, going from a 4-4-2 system to line up in a 3-4-3.
Following this, Cleverley has altered preparations slightly to freshen up ahead of this Saturday’s home game against Reading, with players in for training in different days to the norm.
“You're always conscious when you've been at a club 16, 17 months that you keep it fresh,” Cleverley told Argyle TV.
“I felt like the change of shape did that. This week, we've changed schedule just to freshen things up a little bit, and keep the players on their toes. It keeps everyone engaged and motivated. We do feel freshened up.
“[It’s good to] keep everyone on their toes, and that includes opposition. We were very predictable in the way we were going to play and the shape we were going to play. That's not a bad thing because that brings consistency. I'm not all of a sudden going to be changing shape in-game or from game to game.
“I think it's important that you keep consistency and the players know the 4-4-2, the principles, and their roles inside out. What I did think was important was that we had a plan B and that we have the personnel to play outside centre-backs in a three. The personnel to play as wing-backs. We've got tens in the building and with Michael [Baidoo] coming back also fits this kind of profile.
“I think it's a very, very solid plan B for us to have. And now we become a little bit less predictable when oppositions are preparing for us.”
Reading, managed by Leam Richardson, are in sixth place. They are one point and one place behind Argyle, having played a game fewer, and are the top goalscorers in the division, with 25 in their 12 fixtures. Cleverley is expecting a stern test.
“They’ve been under their manager for a year now,” he said. “There's a lot of consistency with that. They've changed a few players in the summer, like ourselves. They have a way, a style of play, which is an attractive one in my opinion. I think it's effective.
“They are dangerous on transition, so we need to manage that better than we did against Huddersfield. It'll be a tough, tough test. They have been slightly better at home than they have away this season, but they've still only lost two out of the five away games they've played.
“We have to approach the game with a real strong mentality to compete, to duel, to run, and set ourselves a platform to go and win the game.”
Cleverley also reported some good news on the fitness front.
“[It has been] a really positive week from the injury table,” he said. “Malachi [Boateng] and Mathias [Ross] will be back in the squad, so that's a huge boost for us. Malachi has been missing for a couple of months now; it is a big boost for everyone.
“Next week we'll see the return of Michael Baidoo and Owen Oseni. Plans are to have all four of those guys - some from the start, some from the bench - involved in the FA Cup game [against Alvechurch] next week.”
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You can watch Tom Cleverley's Reading preview on Argyle TV, in full, here.
