Organised Argyle take the sting out of Hornets

PILGRIMS GO TOE-TO-TOE WITH PROMOTION CONTENDERS

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

STEVEN Schumacher took a lot of encouragement from Plymouth Argyle’s hard-fought 0-0 draw at Watford in their first Championship away match of the campaign.

Schumacher was pleased with the organisation shown by his side without possession, the effort his players put in and the attacking threat they posed at times against a Watford side who had won 4-0 at home to Queens Park Rangers in their season-opening game.

So Schumacher was determined that Argyle had to be solid and work hard to nullify the attacking threats of Watford, which by and large they were able to do.

He said: “I thought it was a really good game as 0-0s go. It was entertaining, the two teams gave absolutely everything to get three points.

“We knew coming into this game it was going to be a hard one, especially with the way Watford started the season last week they were going to come here full of confidence.

“So we had to get our organisation right behind the ball. I thought we did that, and also posed a threat when we counter-attacked and when we had spells of possession as well. So, yeah, it was hard fought but a good, entertaining game and a good point.”

Schumacher continued: “We felt in the game [against QPR] they had too much space in the middle of the park and we wanted to try and condense that if we could, and try and nullify their threats.

“[Imran] Louza is a really good player. All of the front three are dangerous so we had to be organised and concentrate. When they did make opportunities, we managed to get blocks in and the goalkeeper [Conor Hazard] did well.

“The whole team worked so hard to get that deserved clean sheet so really pleased. You are not going to come into the Championship and coast through the games.