Plymouth Argyle head coach Tom Cleverley has praised the attitude of full-back Matthew Sorinola, saying the 25-year-old's response to being left out of the starting line-up has given him a genuine chance of featuring from the first whistle in the club's League One opener against Stockport County on Saturday.

Off the bench, but far from out of the picture

Sorinola came on as a substitute during Argyle's 2-0 Carabao Cup first-round victory over Exeter City on Monday, featuring in the final quarter of the match. It was a relatively brief outing, but the former Union St Gilloise and Milton Keynes Dons defender made an impression that clearly registered with his manager.

Cleverley was open about what he saw. "It should be a given, but I do love when someone is determined to get in the team rather than sulks that they're not in the team," the Argyle boss told BBC Radio Devon. "I thought the way he trained, the way he came on made a really positive impact."

For Sorinola, who joined Argyle in January 2024, Saturday's third-tier fixture at Home Park represents a fresh opportunity. Cleverley described the full-back's mindset as a model for the wider squad: "It was a determination to say, 'I want to start, I want to be one of the first names on the teamsheet'. That's how you respond and he's given himself every chance of potentially starting on Saturday."

A lesson for the whole dressing room

What makes Cleverley's comments particularly noteworthy is the wider message he is sending. The Argyle head coach is not simply assessing one player; he is signalling the culture he expects at the club. Competition for places, a willingness to fight back from disappointment, a positive training-ground demeanour: these are the qualities he wants to see normalised across the squad.

That kind of environment can be valuable early in a season, when squads are finding their shape and hierarchies are not yet settled. A player who accepts a substitute role with good grace, trains hard and then performs when called upon makes the manager's decisions easier and, crucially, makes the overall group stronger.

Sorinola's route to Argyle took him through Belgian football with Union St Gilloise and League Two with Milton Keynes Dons, a path that has given him experience across different levels and styles of play. At 25, he is entering what many regard as the prime years for a full-back, old enough to read the game but still physically at his best.

Eyes on Stockport

Plymouth's League One season begins with a home fixture against Stockport County on Saturday, giving supporters their first look at how Cleverley has set the side up for the third tier this campaign. The cup win over Exeter City provided a morale boost and some useful minutes for fringe players, but the league is where the real picture will start to emerge.

Whether Sorinola starts or again comes off the bench, his manager's public backing is a clear signal: the door is open, and the Argyle head coach values application as much as ability. For a player looking to establish himself as a regular, that is about as encouraging a message as a squad member can receive heading into the opening weekend.

Frequently asked

Who is Matthew Sorinola?
Matthew Sorinola is a 25-year-old full-back who joined Plymouth Argyle in January 2024. He previously played for Union St Gilloise in Belgium and Milton Keynes Dons in League Two.
When is Plymouth Argyle's first League One game of the season?
Plymouth Argyle open their League One campaign at home against Stockport County on Saturday, 16 August 2026.
Who is Plymouth Argyle's manager?
Tom Cleverley is the Plymouth Argyle head coach, having taken charge of the club ahead of the 2026-27 season.