Cleverley happy as Argyle adapt to tactical change

Plymouth switched to 3-4-3 and beat Cambridge 3-2, moving fourth in League One after two scoreless defeats.

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley switched his side from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3 for the trip to Cambridge United and saw immediate success, with the Pilgrims winning 3-2 at the Abbey Stadium. The change came after two consecutive defeats without scoring, and Cleverley deployed Wes Harding as a third central defender alongside Alex Mitchell and Julio Pleguezuelo, with Jack MacKenzie and Matthew Sorinola operating as wing-backs.

The tactical adjustment proved effective, with Plymouth leapfrogging Cambridge to move fourth in League One. Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon he has the personnel to operate both systems: "I'll always adapt to the strengths of the group. We've got the centre-halves to do it. We've got profiles who fit wing-backs." He stressed the 4-4-2 remains their primary formation but acknowledged the new setup makes them "unpredictable to prepare for" and provides a capable alternative when needed.

Plymouth face Reading next weekend in what Cleverley described as "a huge game, a really important game."