The Pilgrims were beaten 2-0 by Championship rivals Watford in the Carabao Cup second round at Vicarage Road
Wayne Rooney admitted Plymouth Argyle need to start creating more goalscoring chances after the 2-0 Carabao Cup second round defeat by Watford.
The Pilgrims’ head coach thought his side got into some good areas at times during the match at Vicarage Road but they did not put the ball into the opposition penalty area enough. Watford striker Mileta Rajovic scored a goal in each half and Rooney described it as ‘probably a fair result in the end’.
Rooney said: “Going in at half-time we were well in the game, and we were in the game until they scored the second goal to be honest. Watford come out strong at the start of the second half and we got through that, and then we started to take the ball a bit more.
“It was just in the final third we didn’t create enough chances, we didn’t make enough runs, we didn’t put the ball in the box enough, so I think that’s something for us to look at. We have to improve on that, we need to score more goals. Frustrating in the end that we didn’t do that because I felt we got into some really good areas where we could have done that.”
Argyle have won just one of their first five games this season, which was the 3-0 home victory over League Two side Cheltenham Town in the Carabao Cup first round, which set up their trip to play Watford, who in contrast have a 100 per cent record after the same number of matches.
Rooney said: “I think there was some positives in there. We moved the ball nicely at times and played some good stuff at times 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 to cause problems, and try to get more shots at goal from that point of view. Overall, I was disappointed with the result. It was probably a fair result in the end but there was some positives in there as well.”
Rooney made nine changes to his starting line-up against Watford from the 1-1 Championship draw away to Queens Park Rangers, with only Brendan Galloway and Darko Gyabi staying in the side.
He said: “Especially after our previous game, being with 10 men for so long, I think it was important we made them changes and it also gave some players minutes which they needed as well. Overall, I think it was the right team selection, when we looked at it with a game coming up on Saturday as well (at home to Stoke City).
“I felt I put a team out there who were capable of winning the game and we showed at times we caused Watford problems, I just think in that final third we weren’t clinical and ruthless enough.”
One of the changes saw goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw make his Argyle debut after joining from Blackpool last Friday. He was at fault for Watford’s first goal in the 17th minute when a close range flick from Rajovic somehow found its way past him. However, the 26-year-old went on to make a number of excellent saves which kept the Pilgrims in the contest until Watford’s Danish forward struck again in the 72nd minute.
Rooney said: “Unfortunately for goalkeepers if you make a mistake it normally ends up in a goal, but I felt his reaction after that was fantastic. He made some great saves, was good with the ball at his feet. I was pleased with his overall performance.”
On where he wants to see improvement from Argyle, Rooney added: “We had energy and desire to not concede on Saturday, and then tonight there was some really good bits of play on the ball, I think we need to put that together.
“We are doing one well and not so well on the other one. We need to put that together to get an overall performance. I think if we do that we become a very good team.”
Another of the changes to the starting line-up against Watford saw on-loan Burnley striker Michael Obafemi make his first start for Argyle following his debut as a second half substitute against QPR and he played the full game.
Rooney said: “He didn’t have much of the ball but I think he showed in glimpses what he can do. He’s a powerful, quick lad, technically he’s very good as well. I think he was another one who needed the minutes.””
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