Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley has publicly challenged attacker Caleb Watts to score at least 10 goals in League One this season, saying the 24-year-old has the quality to reach that benchmark if he can stay fit.

Watts finds the net at Doncaster

Watts opened his account for the campaign in Saturday's 3-2 victory at Doncaster Rovers, a result that gave Plymouth further momentum in the early weeks of the third-tier season. It was a significant moment for the midfielder, who has been eased back from injury and started on the bench in four of Argyle's five League One fixtures so far.

Speaking to BBC Radio Devon after the win, Cleverley was full of praise for the former Exeter City man: "He's intense, he's aggressive, and he showed good game understanding and real good quality in the final action."

The Plymouth head coach did not stop there. "His numbers are off the chart for an attacking midfielder, to be honest," Cleverley added. "He should definitely be targeting double figures this year. If he stays fit I'm sure he'll get there."

Building on last season

Watts joined Argyle from Devon rivals Exeter City last summer and registered seven goals in 33 appearances during his first campaign at Home Park. Cleverley's target of 10 or more would represent a meaningful step forward, and the manager's confidence appears rooted in the player's underlying metrics rather than simply the Saturday strike.

The injury caveat is the key variable. Watts has had to work his way back to match sharpness, and his contribution from the bench during the opening weeks suggests Cleverley has been managing his workload carefully. A run of starts, should his fitness allow it, will be crucial if he is to challenge that double-figure tally in a division where competition for attacking positions is fierce.

What it means for Plymouth's season

For a Plymouth side still finding its early-season rhythm, the emergence of Watts as a goal threat alongside his pressing and positional intelligence could prove important. Cleverley has spoken previously about the balance of his squad, and having a midfielder who can consistently contribute attacking returns would offer an additional dimension to the Pilgrims' play.

Argyle's win at Doncaster was their second in League One this campaign, and the positive signs from Watts's cameo will only add to the sense that the squad is beginning to click. Whether the 24-year-old can sustain a run of form and fitness across the full season remains to be seen, but the manager's expectations are now firmly on record.

A tally of 10 goals from midfield would put Watts among the more productive players in the division and, according to Cleverley, is well within his capabilities. The next few weeks, with Watts presumably pushing for a regular starting berth, should give a clearer indication of whether that target is realistic.

Frequently asked

How many goals has Caleb Watts scored for Plymouth Argyle this season?
Watts scored his first goal of the season in Plymouth's 3-2 League One win at Doncaster Rovers, having returned from injury earlier in the campaign.
Where did Caleb Watts sign from before joining Plymouth Argyle?
Watts joined Plymouth Argyle from Devon rivals Exeter City last summer, going on to score seven goals in 33 appearances during his first season at Home Park.
What goal target has Tom Cleverley set for Caleb Watts?
Plymouth manager Tom Cleverley has said Watts should be targeting double figures, at least 10 goals, for the season, adding that he is confident the midfielder can reach that mark if he stays fit.