Muslic praises Argyle defence after beating Baggies

Plymouth Argyle boss Miron Muslic says his side's 'defensive structure' was the key to their 2-1 home win over promotion-chasing West Bromwich Albion.

Argyle had some luck with both substitute Ryan Hardie's two late strikes - the first of them an extremely controversial penalty - but Argyle also did well to limit an Albion side who had scored five goals the week before to such few chances.

The Championship's bottom club this week broke their transfer record to sign Ukraine international defender Maksym Talovierov, who made his debut alongside fellow new Bosnian loan signing Nikola Katic in a new-look five-man back line.

Argyle's total of 63 Championship goals conceded in 30 games this season is still comfortably the worst in the EFL - but they are much improved from the side who suffered five separate league defeats by four goals or more under previous boss Wayne Rooney prior to Christmas.

"I spoke about having to change the mentality in the locker room," Muslic told BBC Radio Devon. "You can't change 15 players. It's about signing the right players.

"I was very pleased with our defensive structure. We need to stabilise the team and I think we did that.

"I am very proud and very happy for the lads. Not being able to win a game in three months does something to your mind, to your heart, to your legs. Everything becomes heavy. More difficult.

"I said last week against Sunderland was proof of life and this was another step forward. We didn't deserve to lose this game. We kept pushing and we got our rewards. It takes a lot of guts to come back from 1-0 down when you are in our position, but we did it.

"I was very pleased with Ryan Hardie. He scored two good goals. He wasn't pleased before the game because he wanted to play, and that's good. But he showed bravery to take the penalty and then he got the winner."