The Pilgrims switched to a 4-3-3 formation as they battled back from a one-goal deficit to defeat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 at Home Park
19:12, 07 Mar 2026Updated 20:29, 07 Mar 2026
Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley and winning goalscorer Herbie Kane celebrate after the 2-1 League One victory over Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on 7 March 2026 – Photo: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK
Tom Cleverley thought a change of system during a first half dominated by Doncaster Rovers was behind Plymouth Argyle’s come-from-behind 2-1 League One victory at Home Park.
Argyle were second best all over the pitch from the start of the game, and their opponents were good value for the 1-0 lead they held going into added time at the end of the first half.
However, by that stage, Cleverley had switched Argyle to a 4-3-3 formation from the 4-4-2 which has served them so well over recent months.
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That involved Caleb Watts moving back to central midfield with Malachi Boateng and Joe Edwards, while Ronan Curtis and Matty Sorinola pushed on in support of striker Bim Pepple.
Crucially, to the final outcome of the match, Argyle equalised in the third minute of added time before the break when Pepple scored his 12th goal of the season.
The Pilgrims had more control in the second period and Ronan Curtis had a penalty saved by Doncaster’s Zander Clark before they grabbed what turned out to be the winning goal from Herbie Kane.
On as a second half substitute, Kane floated a free-kick from out wide on the Argyle left into the penalty area and when no-one could get a touch to the ball it ended up bouncing into the net.
Cleverley said: “They (Doncaster) were the better side first half I thought up until the change of system when we went 4-3-3. Could I have done that a bit sooner, maybe 10 minutes before?
“I was a little bit annoyed with myself because we were getting outnumbered in midfield. We needed to get another body in there so we dropped Caleb Watts back down and we got a foothold in the game.
“Second half much better, the intensity, the care on the ball. The introduction of substitutes had a really good impact.”
After changing system, and buoyed by an unexpected equaliser given the way the first half had gone, Cleverley was focused at the interval on getting his players to understand what he wanted from each of them following the tactical tweak.
Cleverley said: “I don’t think it’s necessarily always the solution is ranting and raving. It was a calmer half-time than you might expect.
“When you change system there is quite a few details you need to get in with that. 4-3-3 is not something we have done for a long time. It was important the players understood their jobs in the second half. Our mentality was strong today.
“Performances like that first half, four or five months ago would not be backed up then with a second half like that and a result like that.
“The mentality of the players is really strong at the minute, the supporters are helping, and I’m pleased we have managed to overturn a poor first half.”
Goal celebrations for Herbie Kane during Argyle’s 2-1 League One win against Doncaster Rovers at Home Park on 7 March 2026 – Photo: Dave Rowntree/PPAUK
Kane and Owen Dale, another second half substitute returning from injury, both made positive impacts coming off the bench for the Pilgrims. who had summer signing Jack MacKenzie making his first start after his fitness issues for much of the season.
Despite the comebacks of Kane and Dale, Cleverley was still without nine players against Doncaster due to injuries, with Ayman Benarous the latest addition to that list after picking up a knock in training.
Cleverley said: “It’s a challenge for sure, and the quality of those players that we have out is also a challenge, but we have 11 guys we trust plus seven more that we trust to do a job and we prepare them the best we can.
“Today was never the issue. In terms of preparing a team, Tuesday (when Argyle are away to Wigan Athletic) will be a little bit more stretched in numbers.
“You are asking Jack MacKenzie, who has played his first 90 minutes, to go again potentially Tuesday. It’s going to be a real grit your teeth week.”
Cleverley added: “I think we have got a real good team spirit at the minute. There’s some unfortunate people on that bench today. The system we play, Jamie Paterson has suffered from that.
“Owen Dale the last two starts he made we won both games and he has come out for a couple. The way they entered the pitch today, and the spirit that shows we have got, we do feel like every problem there is a solution and we just knuckle down and get on with it.”
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