In the latest round of Sky Bet Championship fixtures, Plymouth Argyle welcome Hertfordshire based outfit, Watford to Home Park on Friday Night. The game comes off the back of a week hiatus due to International Fixtures, with both sides having their share of players called up to represent their respective countries.
Argyle had 6 players away on international duty, with the likes of Freddie Issaka for Wales Under-19s and Darko Gyabi for England Under-21s. Furthermore, winger Mustapha Bundu was away playing for Sierra Leone, whilst defenders Victor Palsson, Kornel Szucs and Brendan Galloway were away playing for their respective countries. Watford, on the other hand, had their share of international representatives, with Vakoun Bayo representing Ivory Coast, Edo Kayembe for DR Congo, Mamadou Doumbia for Mali, all in AFCON Games. In Europe, Giorgi Chakvetadze was away playing for Georgia, Ryan Porteous for Scotland, Ebosele for Republic of Ireland, Ken Sema for Sweden.
Now turning to the return of Championship football, Argyle Head Coach, Wayne Rooney, has expressed his frustrations towards the scheduling of this fixture, due to the players away on international duty returning to Devon all at different times. In Rooney’s preview, found on pafc.co.uk, he commented on how the game being rescheduled for a Friday Night for Sky Sports has impacted both sides. Rooney said: “It’s not ideal, but if we were playing in Watford, it would have been more of an issue. We know we’re getting players back [on Thursday], I imagine they are as well and having to travel. For both teams, it is not ideal, but we’ll prepare the best way we can for it.” Rooney has found sympathy for both his side and the Hornet’s, recalling his playing days and the balance of club football and international football, and describing how difficult it can be, due to the travelling and rest between games.
For Watford, their players on international duty are coming from all over the globe, even as far as South America, so the travelling and match availability will be quite tight for those players. Watford boss, Tom Cleverley has touched on the subject and echoed what Rooney has said.
by Jack Coleman
Unreal piece, hopefully more of this to come! – Mike Baker