PLYMOUTH Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley admitted his side must improve significantly after suffering a painful 3-1 defeat to Stockport County in their opening League One game of the season.

Cleverley saw his side punished for a below-par display at Home Park as Stockport took control of the contest, leaving the Argyle boss disappointed by the intensity, duels and defensive errors that had been hallmarks of his team’s impressive finish to last season.

“It’s a really painful defeat,” said Cleverley. “Everyone’s hurting inside that dressing room. We’ve had a lot of optimism around the place for a long time and that wasn’t the start to the league campaign that we all planned.”

Argyle had gone into the new campaign with genuine optimism after retaining much of the squad which won 14 of its final 22 matches last season, a run which lifted the Pilgrims from the relegation zone to within touching distance of the League One play-off places.

However, Cleverley felt his players fell short of the standards required against a strong Stockport outfit.

“Focusing on ourselves, first and foremost, I thought the intensity, the duels, the things that have made us really consistent were down,” he said. “I thought the goals are really disappointing ones to concede at key moments, really disappointing.

“The flow of the game, the control of the game was certainly with them, but sometimes that’s fine and you get through those periods, but they had the control of the game, we were a little bit late with the press.

“When we got it into areas to regain, we didn’t then commit to the duels, we lost second balls, conceded soft goals, and I think it’s a performance that, focusing on ourselves, there’s a lot to do.”

Cleverley also admitted Argyle missed opportunities of their own, with new striker Will Evans unable to capitalise on a golden chance to reduce the deficit in the first half.

The former Mansfield Town forward – brought in to replace Lorent Tolaj following his move to Championship side Bristol City – rose to meet a pinpoint cross from Malachi Boateng but headed over the bar when he had a clear sight of goal.

Cleverley backed Evans, however, and insisted the striker’s arrival was part of a process which would take time.

“Tolly was a quality player. The season before we lost Ryan Hardie. It’s part and parcel of the level we work at that if someone does really well, you usually see them move on,” he said.

“We are not dwelling on Tolly at all. I loved Will’s performance on Monday, a little bit less intense today. Maybe it’s the getting up to speed, getting used to his surroundings.”

Cleverley also pointed to missed chances from Evans and fellow forward Xavier Amechi as evidencxe that Argyle could have made more of the opportunities they created.

“We know we have to be more clinical in the opportunities – Will, Xav – we missed a few of our own opportunities today,” he said.

Despite the setback, the Argyle boss refused to abandon the approach which has helped transform the club’s fortunes since the turn of the year.

“A lot to work on but absolutely not moving away from the direction that has brought us 16 wins in the last 26 games since January 1,” he added.