Plymouth board back Cleverley after poor start

Plymouth have lost the opening four matches of their League One campaign

Plymouth head coach Tom Cleverley has received the backing of the club's board following a poor start to their League One campaign.

The Pilgrims, relegated from the Championship last term, have lost their opening four matches and currently sit 23rd in the table.

"We know results and our current position aren't good enough, and we share supporters' frustration," a statement on the club website reads.

The board restated its desire to become a "sustainable Championship club", stressing it believes "Tom and his players are the right people to lead a rebuild".

"We were not strong enough to stay in the Championship and a squad reset was required," the statement said.

Defeat to Leyton Orient on Tuesday left Tom Cleverley's side 23rd in the table

Plymouth have made 12 signings since the start of the summer transfer window but the loss of key players to injury has left the first team depleted.

On top of that, the club has so far failed to recruit a replacement for main striker Ryan Hardie, who left to join Wrexham in the summer.

The board also revealed it has invested "an additional £12.5m" into the club's academy, Foulston Park, and other "operating costs".

It said a fan forum scheduled for September would provide a "full breakdown of where the money has come from, and what it had been spent on".

"This is not a quick fix. It is a medium to long-term process that will take time and patience," the statement added.

"Relying on short-term transfers or loans has brought benefits in recent years, but it has also left us exposed when players have been recalled or moved on at critical moments - that is why continuity and development are key.

"We hear the frustrations and are determined to put things right. Now more than ever, the team needs all our backing."

Plymouth host Steve Bruce's Blackpool, who have won one of their first four games, on Saturday (15:00 BST).