Tom Cleverley believes that his Plymouth Argyle side can still make the playoffs if they can reach their points target by the end of the season.
Wins for Stockport County and Luton Town in midweek have knocked the Pilgrims further back in their quest to finish inside the top six, and enter the final four games of the season four points behind Stevenage who occupy the final of four playoff places.
Cleverley Still Optimistic
Starting with an away game against relegation-threatened AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, Argyle manager Tom Cleverley is still hopeful that his side can get themselves over the line and have no regrets.
Speaking to Plymouth Live about what it would take to give the Devon side a shot at Wembley, the former Watford man said:
“Would I sign for nine points now? (to finish in the top six). No. I would sign for 10.
“All we have got to do is our job. We have got 12 points to play for, we have got to approach every single game to win it.
“If we are sat here in three weeks’ time and we have not done our job we can have no complaints. If we won all four and didn’t get in, I think there would be a little bit of hard luck and we would be regretting the slow start (to the season).
“I absolutely have 100 per cent belief we can do it and that first of all starts with focusing on a huge game this weekend.”
Following their match at Plough Lane, Argyle face their biggest test against fourth-placed Bradford City at Home Park, before rounding the season off against Port Vale and Northampton Town.
Can Argyle Bridge The Gap?
With 12 points left on the board, Plymouth have a massive ask to try and overcome the three sides over them in Stevenage, Luton Town and Huddersfield Town.
However, this could be a pivotal week in their chances of reaching the playoffs, with Stevenage playing runaway leaders Lincoln City, who have the chance to secure the title with victory over Boro.
Huddersfield’s limited chance could dwindle further as they face Bolton Wanderers, meaning that by the end of play tomorrow, Argyle could be just one point behind sixth going into midweek against Bradford City.
The Bantams have struggled in their away matches as of late, which could once again spell joy for their attacking players in Lorent Tolaj and Bim Pepple.
Their biggest test could be against Port Vale, with Jon Brady’s side still capable of mounting an unlikely comeback if results go in their favour.
So while they need some favours from elsewhere to get back into the fight, it is more than reasonable to see Plymouth finish inside the top six, and with momentum behind them, they could be favourites to clinch an extremely unlikely promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
