Local media react as Tottenham loanee Oliver Irow rated 4/10 in Plymouth defeat

Tottenham Hotspur's Oliver Irow made his 12th loan appearance for Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday.

Having joined Argyle on a season-long loan deal in the summer, Irow has made a strong early impression at Home Park.

The 20-year-old winger has started eight of his 10 League One games this season, scoring three goals as well as bagging one in the Carabao Cup.

As such, he's been quick to carve out an important role under Pilgrims boss Tom Cleverley.

His latest chance to impress came on Tuesday night, as Plymouth travelled to Stevenage for a League One clash.

Unfortunately, it was a night to forget for both Argyle and Irow, as the Devonshire-based side slipped to successive defeats.

How did Plymouth media describe Oliver Irow's Stevenage display?

After losing 2-0 at home to Huddersfield Town last Saturday, Plymouth were looking for a big response in Hertfordshire.

However, goals from Michael Mellon, Josh Magennis and Phoenix Patterson secured a 3-0 win for Stevenage.

It was a result that moved Stevenage up to ninth in the table, whilst Plymouth currently sit fifth, one point inside the play-off places.

Irow played 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half-time, and local Plymouth news outlet The Herald weren't taken by his display.

"Back in the starting line-up after a substitute appearance against Huddersfield," they began in his 4/10 rating.

"The Tottenham Hotspur loanee clearly did not do enough to impress Tom Cleverley as he was replaced in the wide left attacking role by Caleb Watts at the start of the second half."

So, just how poor was Irow in this one, and do his underlying numbers absolve him from some of the criticism he's faced off the back of it?

Irow's numbers suggest Plymouth substitution was harsh

Football isn't played on paper, but in the world of football now, data and numbers have never held a greater value.

Irow's numbers at Plymouth so far this season have been largely very impressive, but Tuesday night wasn't his best outing for Argyle.

Despite that, his numbers in the first half against Stevenage suggest Cleverley may have got the decision to withdraw him wrong.

Per Sofascore, Irow delivered two accurate crosses, played two key passes, completed 80 per cent of his pass attempts successfully and had one shot.

He also made five sprints, carried the ball seven times, was accurate with two of his three long balls and won his only aerial duel.

Sofascore graded him at a 6.9 out of 10 in that first half, and given Argyle were two goals down at the break, keeping him on the pitch surely would've been the wiser call.

It will be fascinating to see whether Cleverley starts Irow again when Plymouth travel to Cambridge this Saturday.