Sky Sports pundits blast Watford performance in 0-0 Plymouth Argyle draw

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Watford drew 0-0 at home to Plymouth Argyle to dent their play-off chances in the race for fifth and sixth.

Watford had just one shot in the first half, which was worth an xG value of 0.02, leaving many frustrated at their lack of intensity and tempo in the final third during the opening exchanges but they were unable to cut the gap to sixth.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	West BromWest Brom	38	13	18	7	48	34	14	57
7	Bristol CityBristol City	38	14	15	9	49	41	8	57
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	38	15	9	14	57	48	9	54
9	BlackburnBlackburn	38	15	7	16	42	40	2	52
10	WatfordWatford	38	15	7	16	47	51	-4	52
11	MillwallMillwall	38	13	12	13	37	39	-2	51
12	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	38	14	9	15	53	59	-6	51
13	NorwichNorwich	38	12	13	13	60	54	6	49

They upped the tempo at the start of the second 45, but it was not enough to break down a resolute Plymouth Argyle side. Miron Muslic’s side had carried a threat on the break all game.

Expert pundits were predicting a Watford win over Plymouth, but other members of the Sky Sports punditry team were confident that Plymouth could take the game to Watford at Vicarage Road.

• READ MORE: Championship play-off contenders 2024/25: Who will make the top six this season?

Sky Sports studio share thoughts on Watford 0-0 Plymouth Argyle

We exclusively revealed that Tom Cleverley has a target of the play-offs for next season, or he faces losing his job at Vicarage Road. That’s despite the Watford boss setting records this season and having had Watford in the top half all season.

Speaking via the Sky Sports studio, punditry duo Jamie Mackie and Curtis Davies, outlined that they were less than impressed with what they saw during the first half of the early Championship fixture.

Mackie said: “Plymouth, they have had a go from dead ball situations. It looks like, ‘right, we are going to press in that scenario, but if we can’t win the ball back early on in the press, we are going to sit and retreat back into our shape and be hard to break down.

“Watford, they haven’t really got loads in the game. I was disappointed with the tempo that they are playing at. Come on, you need to be getting after this side and trying to win at home.

“There hasn’t been enough tempo and moving the ball quick enough.”

Davies added: “Having 70% of the ball is all well and good but if we look at touches in the opposition box, then they’ve had one touch in the opposition box than Plymouth.

“It is a frustration. They need to move the ball a bit quicker when they are on it. Try and actually create chances rather than be happy taking the ball.”

A second half improvement was not enough to secure the points and the spoils were shared.

• READ MORE: How Coventry, West Brom, Bristol City, and Middlesbrough’s final eight fixtures compare in Championship play-off race

Watford’s play-off hopes hang by a thread

Despite an improved second half showing, Watford fans will be well aware that the performance levels need to improve against better opposition in the games to come.

Tom Cleverley’s men have impressed this season in the chaos of many matches, but they have struggled against the relegation-threatened teams on more than one occasion this season. They drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture with Plymouth.

Opta had given Watford a 2.98% chance of making the top six prior to the game, but that is likely to be even lower after the 3pm games this afternoon. Unfortunately for Cleverley, their attentions for the remainder of this season may be more about thinking to 2025/26 and rebuilding this summer.