Tom Cleverley issues 'We have to win' target for Argyle

The Pilgrims suffered a setback to their chances of a top six finish when they could not hold on to win at Bradford City on Tuesday night as they drew 1-1 while results elsewhere did not go in their favour.

Going into their penultimate match of the league campaign, Argyle are four points behind sixth-placed Stevenage, whose away game against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow will kick-off before theirs at 12.30pm.

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Luton Town, who are one point above the Pilgrims in seventh spot, are at home to Barnsley in another 3pm kick-off.

Cleverley admitted the draw against Bradford, which came after a 72nd minute equaliser for the fourth-placed Bantams, had been disappointing.

He said: "From a place where it's difficult to take the lead and difficult to have so much control in the game, we ended up with only getting a point.

"With other teams winning there was an air of disappointment in the dressing room after. Now it's important we clean that, we refocus on our own job and that's all we can control this weekend.

"Of course we will know how Stevenage get on at lunchtime but the preparation and the focus is what we do three o'clock Saturday."

Vale were promoted to League One last season but will return to League Two next term after their relegation fate was sealed after a 1-0 defeat away to Cardiff City on Wednesday night.

Cleverley added: "We have to win the game. That's clear. Our approach to Saturday does not change. Even if we were sat 12th, nothing to play for, we have to win.

"We have to be front foot, we have to create intensity, energy, atmosphere. Whatever happens at 12.30 we have to win the game."

Whatever happens against Vale, Argyle - who are away to bottom club Northampton on Saturday, May 2 - will end this season having picked up more points on their travels than at Home Park.

The Pilgrims have a record of 11 wins, three draws and eight defeats for 36 points from 22 away league games. That is five more points than they have managed at the Theatre of Greens, where they have won just nine times.

Cleverley said: "I don't give ourselves a pat on the back about the away form. I see 'Right, how do we get the home form back to being dominant, a fortress?'

"We shouldn't be in and around the middle of the home form league. I think how we have finished the season certainly helps, carrying the momentum into a play-off game or into next season.

"I think the turnover of players in the summer shouldn't be as big as it was (in 2025), 16, 17 players getting used to new surroundings, getting used to the pressure of having to prove themselves to a new fanbase. Those foundations will hopefully have been set and that will be an easier starting point next season.

"Game model has slightly changed. That's me adapting to what we have got. I feel we are in a good place here at Home Park now. We have created connection, energy, atmosphere and we just have to continue that."

With last one comment on Argyle's play-off hopes, Cleverley declared: "We are still believing in the fate of it, we are still believing in the timing of it. You just need to be in there come the final whistle of the 46th game."

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