Plymouth Argyle told to sign "ugly centre half" as Katic and Talovierov void is felt | OneFootball

Plymouth urged to sign new striker and centre half at frustrating loss to Barnsley at Home Park on Saturday

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

After being on the receiving end of a 3-1 loss at home to Barnsley on Saturday, questions regarding team selection have arisen with FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge urging the signing of a striker and centre half

Newly relegated to League One, Plymouth Argyle fell to a frustrating loss to Barnsley at Home Park on the opening day of the season, with new boss Tom Cleverley facing questions about his side's defensive stability.

Cleverley told BBC Sport, "It's a lack of conviction in our defensive work really... I think Barnsley will be very thankful for the gifts they received today."

FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge said, "Really disappointing result against Barnsley on Saturday. Seeing the teamsheet an hour before kick-off and to see no striker in the side was worrying."

With Plymouth looking to bounce back instantly on their trip to Bolton this coming weekend, Cleverley has little time to right his team's wrongs ahead of that clash.

3 Main concerns for Argyle following Barnsley defeat

According to FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit Luke Hodge, concerns arose at both ends of the pitch even prior to kick-off.

Cleverley opted to set his side up without a recognised number 9 as Caleb Watts filled the void for the home side with his natural position being as an attacking midfielder.

Despite this surprising tactical decision, FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit, Hodge, recognised Watts as the Pilgrims' star man on the day, popping up with a goal and was overall "very positive", according to Hodge. However, he still stresses the importance of getting a striker through the door.

Argyle's main concern on the weekend was their defensive third.

Hodge said, "As the game went on it was so obvious that the most important area we have to address is try and get in a commanding centre half. Someone who is strong with a bit of height, you know an ugly centre half to play in this league because they were poor."

Hodge went on to say that, "They were at sixes and sevens, they never commanded the box, defensively we were poor as a back five, the goalkeeper and the back four. Decision making was poor and we really miss that player like Katic."

2 Katic exit leaves problems for Plymouth defence

After having the luxury of a defender with the physical attributes of Nikola Katic last season, Cleverley certainly has a job on his hands to scout a like-for-like change that can slot into the defence.

Hodge went on to say about Argyle's main areas of concern: "Before the game I would've said a striker, but having seen it I would definitely say a centre-half is as important, if not more than a striker, at the moment."

Hodge went on to say, "We need someone who's going to put their head where most people wouldn't put their feet. Hoping to address that, I believe we are in for a centre half so that's extremely important, as is getting a striker through the door as well."

1 Watts performance can encourage Argyle fans

Despite the result being the main point of concern for the Pilgrims alongside a somewhat shaky defensive performance, in the final third there were signs of promise.

Watts, who spent last season at Exeter before making the move to Plymouth, has been recognised throughout this career as a creative number 10. However, Cleverley may be seeming to prefer Watts in a role further forward with Watts finding the back of the net twice in the match only for his first early strike to be ruled out.

FLW's Plymouth Argyle fan pundit, Hodge said, "Caleb Watts played up top, and he was easily our man of the match. He (Watts) scored and was superb, so for an attacking midfielder to do a job up there, fair play to him, that was very positive."

Cleverley said via BBC Sport, "I thought Caleb Watts was our shining star today. I thought he was excellent in that role. I thought our number 9 did excellent today."

With Watts being one to watch in these early stages of the season, and the apprehension of getting a striker through the door, according to FLW's Plymouth Argyle terrace talk pundit, Hodge, the frontline could be an area for Argyle fans to be hopeful about in the coming weeks.