Malachi Boateng has called on Plymouth Argyle to put their opening-day defeat firmly behind them, insisting the responsibility lies squarely with the players to raise their level.

"It's on us to try and be better," the midfielder told BBC Radio Devon, in comments that set the tone for what Argyle need from the week ahead.

Boateng was one of the most consistent figures in the Plymouth dressing room last season, starting every league fixture. That kind of durability gives his words weight. When a player who never missed a game tells his teammates they must respond, it is not a message easily brushed aside.

A poor start to put right

Argyle went into the new League One campaign with ambition and expectation, but the opening day handed them an immediate reality check. A loss at that stage of the season is not terminal, but it does set a tone the club will want to correct as quickly as possible.

Manager Tom Cleverley had already spoken publicly about the need to hit the ground running, while striker Ryan Evans has voiced confidence that goals will come. Boateng's message adds another voice to the same chorus: progress requires a response, and that response must come now.

The pattern of that opening defeat will concern the coaching staff. Whether the issues were structural or simply a product of opening-day nerves, the third tier does not allow time to dwell. Points are dropped and gaps open up within the first few weeks for sides who fail to course-correct promptly.

What Boateng's role means for Plymouth

Boateng's status as an ever-present last season makes him one of the first names on the teamsheet and one of the most influential voices in the group. Central midfielders who play every game tend to set the tempo and the culture of a side. His public acknowledgement that Argyle must do better is, in itself, a form of accountability that supporters will respect.

Plymouth are not a side short of quality or experience at this level. The squad assembled for this League One campaign carries genuine expectation, and the coaching staff have been clear about their ambitions. One defeat does not define a season, but the response to it very often does.

The weeks ahead

Home Park will expect to see a sharper, more purposeful Argyle when the next fixture arrives. The early weeks of a League One campaign are where momentum is built or lost, and clubs who recover quickly from a stumble tend to be far better placed when the run-in comes around.

Boateng's words were brief, but they carried a clear message: no excuses, just improvement. For a player who was there every single week last season, that kind of honesty is exactly what Argyle need to hear right now.

Frequently asked

Why did Plymouth Argyle lose on the opening day?
The specific reasons for Plymouth's opening-day defeat have not been detailed publicly, but players including Malachi Boateng have acknowledged the performance was below the level required and have called on the squad to respond quickly.
Who is Malachi Boateng at Plymouth Argyle?
Malachi Boateng is a Plymouth Argyle midfielder who started every league match for the club last season, making him one of the most consistent and important players in the squad.
How are Plymouth Argyle expected to do in League One this season?
Plymouth Argyle are regarded as one of the stronger sides in League One this season. Manager Tom Cleverley has spoken about hitting the ground running, though the club suffered a setback with a defeat on the opening day.