Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has identified positives in his team’s performance despite a 2-0 defeat to Watford in the Carabao Cup.
However, supporters of the Devon club are not so upbeat after watching their side make a miserable start to the current campaign. Argyle remain without a victory against Championship opposition this season, following two consecutive league draws after an opening-day defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
The Pilgrims, who were outplayed for much of the match, were spared a heavier loss thanks to a standout performance from debutant goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw.
“There were some positives in there, we moved the ball nicely at times and played some good stuff at times,” Rooney told BBC Radio Devon. “But I think we could have been more aggressive both in possession and out of possession.
“I felt we turned down really good opportunities to put the ball in the box and try and cause problems and try and get more shots at goal.”
Rooney made nine changes to the side that battled to a 1-1 draw with nine men against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, including debuts for striker Michael Obafemi and goalkeeper Grimshaw.
The latter had a mixed evening, allowing Watford’s first goal to slip through his legs but redeeming himself with several crucial saves before the Hornets sealed the win in the second half.
Even the first half saw Grimshaw produce a remarkable diving save to deny Tom Ince, who was left unmarked and connected with a volley from Rajovic’s header across the box. His quick reactions kept Argyle in the game as he thwarted the dangerous effort from just eight yards out.
The pressure mounted early in the second half, with the stopper making another crucial save to keep out Ken Sema’s header, which seemed destined for the bottom corner. The former Blackpool man continued to shine, pulling off his finest save of the night when he denied Rajovic from close range after a pinpoint cross from James Morris.
Despite his heroics, Grimshaw was powerless to stop Watford’s second goal. Rajovic, holding off Szucs, managed to turn and fire home after a Porteous header was flicked into the air by Julio Pleguezuelo, sealing the win for the home side.
“Unfortunately for goalkeepers, you make a mistake and it normally ends up in a goal,”added Rooney. “But I felt his reaction after that was fantastic, he made some great saves.
“He was composed with the ball at his feet, so I was pleased with his overall performance. Obviously mistakes happen for goalkeepers at times, but overall I think he had a good game.”
He might have played well, but supporters didn’t seem to agree with Rooney’s assessment that there were positives to take from the game. They’re winless in the league, having drawn with QPR and Hull City after their opening-day thumping at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
Given that Watford could have had many more goals, fans have been super critical of Rooney. They flocked to social media platform X after the game to express their displeasure at the former England striker’s reign.
Well I think we all know what we need to do this week. And the consequences of not doing it.
— voodoo (@Voodoov21) August 27, 2024
Back to the real stuff on Saturday, never going to win this crap draw in the first place. Still big gaps need filling. Onto getting 3 points on Saturday.
— Carl Barnard 💚 (@CarlBarnard15) August 27, 2024
A poor first half followed by an abysmal second half, thank god it was the cup. Please release Ogbeta, never seen a player out of position so much and constantly gives the ball away. Dreading Schueys return to HP on Saturday
— Vince Rennie (@VinceRennie) August 27, 2024
@SimonHallett get your wallet out. We need at least 4 championship quality players before the deadline
— Vince Rennie (@VinceRennie) August 27, 2024
Hopefully this has shown that there are half a dozen players who really aren’t what we need. 2 days to go, we need quality, not cheap gambles.
— Darren (@StansburyDarren) August 27, 2024
Rooney is taking us down… 📉 pic.twitter.com/miCRWTlyZ0
— Barrels (@Uncle_Barrels) August 27, 2024
That was pretty depressing to watch, no fight and seemed to be going from left to right, right to left all night long
— G PEZ (@george_perrett) August 27, 2024
Really embarrassing no fight no heart they looked like they didn’t want to be there we got some dead wood 😞
— Denis Gash (@DenisGash2) August 27, 2024
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