Tom Cleverley has set an uncompromising standard ahead of Plymouth Argyle's League One trip to Blackpool, insisting his side need to be "as perfect as possible" if they are to come away with anything from Bloomfield Road.

No room for error

Speaking in a preview interview with Radio Devon, the Plymouth head coach made clear that margins are tight enough in the third tier that any drop in concentration or quality will be punished. It is the kind of language that suggests Cleverley is taking nothing for granted about the condition of his squad, or about the hosts.

The call for near-perfection is notable given the context. Plymouth have had their recent preparations complicated by injury, with Hartridge's ankle problem a fresh blow to a squad already nursing a handful of concerns. Curtis has only recently returned to fitness after meniscus surgery, and Cleverley will be weighing up how much to ask of him in an away fixture that demands physicality and intensity from the first whistle.

What Blackpool will bring

Blackpool are a side that have, by their manager's own admission, been going through a difficult spell. Ian Evatt acknowledged after recent results that his players' struggles had been self-inflicted, which is rarely the sort of thing a coach says lightly. But third-tier clubs have a habit of rediscovering form at convenient moments, and a home fixture against a Plymouth side in the top six of the division represents exactly the kind of occasion Blackpool will point to as a must-improve performance.

Peacock-Farrell, speaking to club media earlier this month, described Blackpool as a high-energy team, and that much at least appears consistent with how Evatt has set them up regardless of results. Energy and pressing can cause problems for any visiting side, and Cleverley's insistence on precision suggests he is fully aware of what awaits.

Plymouth's position in the picture

Cleverley has already hailed his side's move into the top six, and the ambition within the camp is evident. Targets have been set publicly: the head coach told Watts he expects ten goals from him this season, a figure that speaks to a broader culture of accountability at the club. Loan moves have been made, with Finn and Roberts heading to Torquay to get minutes, which indicates Cleverley has a clear picture of his first-choice group.

Whether that group is settled enough to travel to Blackpool and impose themselves is the question the match will answer. Away days in League One are rarely comfortable, and Bloomfield Road in mid-September, under whatever atmospheric conditions the Lancashire coast decides to provide, will be no exception.

Cleverley's message

The phrase "as perfect as possible" is a coach's way of managing expectations without lowering them. It acknowledges that perfection is unrealistic but signals that the standard demanded is as close to it as players can manage. For a Plymouth side that has genuine aspirations this season, translating that dressing-room instruction into points on the road is the next step.

The match takes place on 17 September, and will be followed closely by supporters of both clubs who have reason to believe their team can finish in the better half of the table when the dust settles. For Plymouth, three points away from home would do considerably more than a polished performance that ends in nothing.

Frequently asked

When do Plymouth Argyle play Blackpool?
Plymouth Argyle are due to travel to Blackpool on 17 September 2026 in a League One fixture at Bloomfield Road.
What did Tom Cleverley say ahead of the Blackpool game?
Speaking on Radio Devon, Cleverley said Plymouth Argyle need to be "as perfect as possible" when they face Blackpool away from home in League One.
Are Plymouth Argyle in the League One top six?
Yes. Tom Cleverley has confirmed Plymouth have moved into the top six of League One, though the division remains competitive and points on the road will be crucial to staying there.