Rooney lauds staff after another Home Park late show

Argyle’s latest late show saw Andre Gray score an injury-time equaliser to salvage a 2-2 draw against Watford at Home Park.

Wayne Rooney’s men have made a habit of scoring goals after the fourth official’s board has gone up, with Gray’s strike the latest to earn the Pilgrims something for scoring time after time – after time.

Gray had already scored one peach of an equaliser to make it 1-1, after Vakoun Bayo had put Watford in front after nine minutes. It looked like Watford would hold on to victory after Ryan Porteous’s goal had regained the lead for them, only for former Hornet Gray to break their hearts.

“It was a strange game,” said Rooney, after the match. “I thought in the first 10 minutes, we really struggled to get into the game. They caused us big problems and got the goal.

“I thought, after we scored, we made it difficult for them. We got into a good shape, made it very difficult for them, and then conceded a really sloppy goal from a free kick, maybe a lack of concentration; a really bad goal from our point of view.

“Then I thought there was a real mentality shift from half-time.

"I thought we came out for the second half, had a real control, made it really difficult for Watford to press us. We were getting into some dangerous areas, kept pushing and deserved the equaliser in the end.

“[Scoring late goals] is a credit to my staff. We put a lot of work in, fitness wise, with the players, trying to have the players in the best condition. That might be something which we need come the end of the season.

“I felt Watford looked a little bit tired in the last 15 minutes. We kept pushing, kept going and that helped us get a goal. I think the fans can feel it. You can sense it in the fans, pulling the ball into the net for us. We keep pushing, and you get your rewards.

“[Andre’s] second goal was a fantastic finish, and the emotion of scoring late on, of course, is great, but I think his first goal was such a special goal. It's a good pass from Gibbo (Lewis Gibson) and then taking a ball coming over your shoulder, the concentration you need, the technique you need.

“I think he shows his experience. A young player would probably try and hit it as hard as he could, and you end up pulling it. He really focused on his technique and getting that right. It's such a great goal for him to score.

“I'm really pleased for him to play through the 90 minutes. I was close to taking him off with 10 minutes to go as well!”

Argyle went with a three-man defence for the first time this season, implementing Bali Mumba and Matty Sorinola as wing-backs outside of Gibson, Julio Pleguezuelo and Kornel Szucs, and playing with Morgan Whittaker as a number 10 behind the strike force of Gray and Michael Obafemi.

Rooney explained his rationale behind his change of shape, saying: “During the international break, it gave me a bit of time to reflect on where we're at. Looking at it, I just felt, with the personnel we've got fit at the minute, with Bali and Matty, we've got wing backs.  

"Gibbo came back in, Pleggy’s done really well. Kornel’s done well. The back three suited us and it allowed me to get two forwards on the pitch.

“I think we need to create more chances. I think it was evident that we put more crosses in the box and I think having two forwards in there, with a number 10 and the opposite wing-back coming in, it was something we really tried to focus on.

“We've only had a day, to be honest, to work on it, but it's something which if we stick to, I'm sure we'll get better at.”