Cleverley lauds 'top-class' Tolaj after Argyle win

Lorent Tolaj struck twice from inside the box for Plymouth against Cheltenham

Plymouth Argyle boss Tom Cleverley has predicted new striker Lorent Tolaj's goals in the Vertu Trophy are the "first of many" for the club.

Tolaj netted twice in Argyle's 2-0 home win over League Two side Cheltenham Town on Tuesday, opening his account on his fourth appearance since the 23-year-old's arrival from League One club Port Vale for a "significant undisclosed fee".

"It was only a matter of time," Cleverley told BBC Radio Devon of the former Switzerland youth international, who scored once in Vale's first four games of the season after 14 goals and eight assists in 37 appearances in League Two last term.

"I can see on the training pitch that he's a top-class finisher. He's got great movement - he's an all-rounder.

"One thing you can guarantee is he's going to score goals for this football club. He's got a real hammer of a left foot and he can finish on his right.

"It's the first of many but it's always nice to get off the mark for a striker."

Ross 'looked older than his years' - Cleverley

Cleverley also praised new faces Mathias Ross and Joe Hatch for their performances in the win.

Ex-Denmark Under-21 centre-back Ross, who signed a three-year deal on 21 August, was starting for the first time since an appearance in the Czech top flight in November 2024 while he was on loan to Sparta Prague from Galatasaray.

The 24-year-old helped Plymouth keep just their second clean sheet in nine matches in all competitions under new manager Cleverley.

"He was super-assured," said Cleverley. "He looked older than his years with the way he talks and organises.

"He dominated aerially and didn't give the ball away. It was a good place to start for Mathias, having not had a pre-season with the club.

"I'm sure there will be stronger challenges, with all respect to Cheltenham, but he couldn't have done any better."

Meanwhile, academy product Hatch, 18, made his third cup start of the season in attack after signing his first senior contract in June.

"Hatchy's seemed at home ever since he's joined the first team," said Cleverley.

"He wasn't fazed at all and was effective and powerful. He's just missing the goal. He gets himself in positions.

"He's not as natural a finisher as Tolaj, so that's going to take work, but he's really young.

"He couldn't have made a more assured start to his life in the first team. I've been really pleased with him and his attitude."

The fourth-bottom Pilgrims are aiming to improve on a poor record of one win and five defeats in League One this season when they host eighth-placed Stockport County on Saturday (15:00 BST).