Time running out for Watford and Argyle after Championship stalemate

The Guardian

29-03-2025

A goalless draw in their final game before the clocks go forward means time is running out quicker than ever for both these teams. Rock-bottom Plymouth Argyle started brightly, weathered a storm and then nearly snatched an unlikely win at the end when substitute Muhamed Tijani shot just wide in the closing minutes.
Certainly their loyal fans were the happier, but the point still leaves the gap to survival looking impossibly wide with just seven games remaining. Likewise Watford's playoff hopes are disappearing after their stuttering 2025 form continued where it left off for the international break.
Neither side could conjure a clearcut opening until the 28th minute when Ryan Hardie turned sharply to find that in one move he had left the entire Watford defence behind him. His shot was firm and accurate and would have crept inside a post had Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik not pushed it to safety with a strong left hand.
Argyle's top scorer is still finding his way back to full fitness after a four-match injury lay-off and his ability to take better advantage of such chances is central to any hopes the Pilgrims still have of making it through to a third season in the Championship.
While they have undoubtedly improved since the departure of Wayne Rooney on New Year's Eve, his replacement Miron Muslic still has not been able to improve the leakiest defence in the Championship, 27 goals conceded in 15 previous games in 2025 compounding their status.
But for once their three giant central pillars looked firm and Watford lacked the imagination to pick a path around them. When the Hornets did find a gap with a pass, they failed to pick out a teammate and, save for one offside effort by Ryan Andrews, Conor Hazard had a worry-free opening 45 minutes.
If Rocco Vata's low drive on the half-time whistle had crept inside rather than flashing past the outside of the Argyle goal it would have saved Watford from the boos that greeted the break.
The same player handed Argyle another escape two minutes after the restart when one touch too many allowed two defenders time to block his shot when it eventually arrived.
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A sharp cross from Giorgi Chakvetadze failed to get the touch it needed and Plymouth continued to ride their luck when Vata's deflected shot hit the crossbar.
By this stage Kwadwo Baah's not inconsiderable presence had been added to the mix but when put through one on one it was guile he needed rather than blasting the ball straight at Hazard.
On a different day, perhaps Vakoun Bayo would have bundled the ball in at the far post or done better than find the side netting with two further gilt-edged chances.