Player Ratings: Watford 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
Two away games in a week, this one far less cheerful. Tom Harris looks over the match ratings.
Two goals from Watford’s Mileta Rajovic knocked Argyle out of this year’s Carabao Cup in the Second Round.
The Dane’s 17th minute back heel went through the legs of Argyle debutant Daniel Grimshaw, who despite a few fantastic saves, could not stop Rajovic doubling the lead with an acrobatic effort on 73 minutes.
It was a forgettable display from Argyle who had chances to hit the back of the net, but both Callum Wright found an effort saved by Jonathon Bond (a square pass to Michael Obafemi would have been the better option), while Ryan Hardie saw a left-footed shot come off the post after rounding the keeper with eight minutes remaining.
Argyle moved from an unusual 3-4-3 formation to the more standard 4-2-3-1 halfway through the game.
Here are today’s ratings:
Daniel Grimshaw, GK - 7 Argyle Life Player of the Match. Rarely does a goalkeeper have a moment to forget but still claim man of the match. Grimshaw would have been deeply disappointed to see Rajovic’s back heel beat him, especially on his first Argyle game. However the goalkeeper made a number of terrific stops to keep the Hornets bay. His acrobatic lunge across the goal to deny Rajovic from just yards out after the break was reminiscent of a trademark Michael Cooper stop.
Matthew Sorinola, RWB/RB- 6. Would have scored higher if he had played longer, the full back looked positive down the right in the first half, reminding Pilgrims fans what a pacey asset he can be. He fed a dangerous cross which Nathaniel Ogbeta couldn’t quite reach, as well as a delicious through ball into Callum Wright for Argyle’s best chance of the first half.
Julio Pleguezeulo, RCB/RB - 6. It was a quiet display from the Spaniard who’s trying to break into the starting lineup on a regular basis. Moved to full back after 65 minutes when Sorinola was subbed off and failed to impact the game.
Kornel Szucs, CCB/RCB - 6 The Hungarian was occupied with Rajovic throughout and for large spells dealt with the target man forward. Some of his passing is really positive and gets Argyle on the front foot, playing through the lines. Might have done enough to start on Saturday.
Brendan Galloway, LCB - 6. A steady performance from Galloway who was subbed at half time. Let’s hope it was a planned sub rather than an injury enforced one; he was withdrawn with a knock against QPR just three days earlier.
Nathaniel Ogbeta, LWB - 5. Not a memorable display, had his hands tied defensively and when going forward was cut out on too many occasions by the Watford back line.
Jordan Houghton, CM - 6. A first start for Houghton who led the side as captain on the day. Kept things moving for Argyle as he always does. Picked up a yellow late in the first half and was subbed for Adam Randell with 15 minutes to play.
Darko Gyabi, CM - 6. If there was any glimmer of hope in the Argyle front line it was coming from Gyabi, particularly in the first half. The Leeds loanee consistently was finding incisive passes that got Argyle moving, while also having the belief to beat a man every now and then. He was eventually subbed off in the 85th minute after being nullified for much of the second half.
Mustapha Bundu, ACM/ALM - 5. I like Bundu, and I think he’s a good player for Argyle in the right position. Sadly, I don’t think these central roles are for him. An ineffective game for the forward. His strengths are running at defenders and taking a man on (throwback to Leicester last season) however he’s so much deeper in this system and looking to come for the ball, which is just not his game that we’ve been used to seeing. Played 75 minutes before being swapped for Cissoko.
Callum Wright, ACM/RM - 4. One of those games where nothing seemed to come off for Argyle’s number 11. From the sliced effort at the edge of the box, the low shot wide of the mark, to shooting straight at the keeper when Obafemi virtually had a tap in, it was a forgetful night for the forward who has been linked with League One Lincoln of late.
Michael Obafemi, ST/ACM - 6. It must have been such a frustrating evening for the new recruit, starting in green for the first time. He was crying out for service which never came, and was often left to deal with half chances or difficult-to-control passes. He is at his core another pressing forward, not dissimilar to Ryan Hardie. It’ll be interesting to see if and how the two combine this season.
Substitutes
Lewis Gibson, LCB - 6. A half time substitute for Brendan Galloway, as mentioned before. Sturdy display as ever from a man who looks above his years.
Ryan Hardie, ST - 6.. Didn’t have a lot to do in the 25 minutes he was on the pitch, but could have had a big impact on the result if his left-footed shot had rolled in. The Scotsman had done well to intercept a misplaced pass from Ryan Andrews, as well as round Bond, but saw his strike come back off the woodwork. On another day it would hit the back of the net and give Argyle a glimmer of hope and something to shout about for the travelling Pilgrims.
Ibrahim Cissoko, ALM - 5. Flicks and tricks are guaranteed when he enters the pitch but nothing fruitful to note from the winger on this occasion who entered the match with 15 minutes to go.
Adam Randell, CM - 6. A double sub alongside Cissoko. Kept things ticking in midfield. Coming into a game two goals down is never easy but Randell is always willing and comfortable to take the ball and move Argyle forward, whatever the scoreline.
Will Jenkins-Davies, CM - N/A. An 86th minute sub for Gyabi and some first team minutes for WJD. Might be looking to secure a loan move for more first team football in the last few days of this window.