Cleverley’s side were jeered by sections of the away support at Adams Park following their FA Cup defeat.
The loss dashed any hopes of a repeat of last season’s run in the competition when they beat two Premier League sides – Brentford and six-time European champions Liverpool were both toppled by the Pilgrims before they bowed out at Manchester City in the fifth round.
“[It was] a hugely disappointing performance,” Cleverley added.
“We wanted a reaction from our last three league games, we needed a reaction and I think we were nowhere near it in any aspect today. We were, to a man, well beaten.
“We competed, but physically not at the profile of our opposition.
“From a quality perspective I thought they were much better than us. We didn’t show any confidence on the ball, we didn’t show any good technique.
“I’ve really focused recently on a defensive perspective but, from a quality perspective, we were so far off the level.”
Cleverley says he is particularly worried about the resilience of his side.
Having won League One with a club-record 101 points in 2023 Argyle struggled in the Championship – they stayed up on the final day of the season in 2024 before being relegated with a game to spare in May.
The former Manchester United and England player feels those circumstances – Argyle lost 43 of their 92 games in the Championship – are still having an effect.
“We’ve not dealt with disappointment well,” he said.
“That’s the area where I’ve really seen a hangover from two years of losing a lot of football matches – when we do go behind there seems to be a bit of an acceptance of that.
“So that’s been disappointing and it’s a mentality we need to change.”
