Tom Cleverley has said that Plymouth Argyle will be patient if necessary in order to secure the right transfers over the summer transfer window.
The Pilgrims are gearing up for a second season in League One after falling short on the playoffs despite winning their final-day game against already relegated Northampton Town.
However, a strong final half to the season has given strong cause for optimism at Home Park, and the former Watford man has already begun planning for the coming months.
Cleverley Ready To Go
With no playoff matches to contest over the coming days and weeks, Argyle may already have an edge over the sides that will remain in League One when it comes to squad planning for the summer.
Speaking with Plymouth Live about his plans for the transfer window, Cleverley has revealed what areas he is trying to recruit in across their upcoming business.
“What we are recruiting towards will be very consistent – style of play, system. In terms of identifying what we need, who those people are, reaching out to their agents, that’s all wheels in motion.
“So we are as proactive as we can be. I think we are in a much stronger position than we were last year. The head coach is the head coach, the style of play is the style of play, the system is the system.
“I understand a lot more about how to be effective at this level and what that needs. We don’t have as many trying to get out the door so we are in a really strong position.”
Tolaj Future Key To Chances
Considering their end-of-season form, Plymouth Argyle will certainly fancy themselves at a shot at the League One title in 12 months’ time, considering the vulnerabilities of the sides coming down from the Championship.
With a strong unit that is likely to stick around in Devon rather than be poached elsewhere, the familiarity and cohesion they have will edge the massive rebuilds that face sides like Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.
It seems that the opening salvo of their incoming business will stick to that theme, with Tom Cleverley stating that he would like to sign three loanees in Alex Mitchell, Wes Harding and Owen Dale on a permanent basis.
While their summer business will look to strengthen what they have right now, the underlying question of their short-term aims is whether they can retain Lorent Tolaj amid the melee going on from Championship clubs for the Swiss international’s signature.
Cleverley should fancy his chances at locking down his star talisman with the upwards momentum the club have right now, and with Bim Pepple alongside him, their quality up top could be the decisive factor in a shot at promotion.
