Plymouth director of football Neil Dewsnip was disappointed to not take all three points from managerless Argyle’s thrilling 3-3 Championship draw with 10th-placed Watford at a rain-drenched Home Park.
Finn Azaz, 13-goal top-scorer Morgan Whittaker and Ryan Hardie scored for Argyle to give them a first-half lead.
Ryan Andrews levelled in the second half to add to first-half goals from Edo Kayembe and Ismael Kone.
Dewsnip – in charge of first-team affairs until a new boss is appointed – said: “Watford keeper Ben Hamer made two incredible saves at the end of the game. Credit to the keeper, they are two top-class saves to stop us winning the game.
“There was just one thing missing today. We want to win. We seem to be having the same conversation, don’t we? Birmingham, Cardiff and now Watford.
“The players are playing some attractive football and we want to do that.
“We want them to score two, three goals every game but we also need to find a way of stopping letting so many in and then we can win a few more games.
“It was an exciting game of football and two very attack-minded teams.
“It was quite open, a little too open at times for my liking but I am sure the fans have enjoyed every second.
“I thought we probably did enough, particularly towards the end, to win the game.
“I thought all the goals were different but all quality finishes.
“Let’s not forget, we are not all about entertaining. Of course, entertainment is important but we want to win so the lads are again disappointed they have not won the game.
“I thought momentum was with us towards the end of the game.
“The players who have come on to the pitch have added to that momentum, credit to them, and we are disappointed – not dissimilar to when we played at Cardiff – that we have not won.”
Watford boss Valerien Ismael wants more from his defence, saying: “Attacking-wise we played well but defensively, especially in the first half, we were not stable enough.
“We knew that the transition from Plymouth are dangerous and we had to be more aggressive. We took a step back.
“The second half was better, especially the first 30 minutes. We played well and stayed calm and passed the ball and deserved to score the goal.
“At the end, both teams wanted to win the game but at the same time not wanting to lose it. It was a little bit chaotic but very entertaining for the fans.
“Especially when we come back to 2-2, at that point we need to stay calm, more composure and to stay in the game.
“It is always a learning process for us and in the second half it was better, especially with the ball into the final third.
“We are scoring goals and we are playing well.
“The Bristol game gives us the wrong picture from this period, because we have played Blackburn away, Plymouth away – strong teams at home – and we played a great game against Stoke but the red card changed the game.
“You can blame us for the Bristol game, it was a bad day but the mentality of the players to come back today against a strong side at home was good.
“We have a got a good feeling we can be better and the January and February period will give us more energy, belief and consistency.”
Ancelotti urges Kroos to reverse retirement decision after Champions League glory
Toni Kroos is set to leave Real Madrid as a six-time Champions League winner but Carlo Ancelotti wants the Los Blancos midfielder to reverse his retirement decision.
The Germany midfielder appears to have played the final club game of his career, signing off with European glory after a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in Saturday's final.
Kroos delivered a perfect corner-kick assist for Dani Carvajal's 74th-minute opener at Wembley Stadium before Vinicius Junior sealed Madrid's 15th crown in UEFA's top club competition.
The 34-year-old Kroos will head to Euro 2024 with Germany this month before calling time on his glittering career, though Ancelotti hopes he will change his mind.
"I'm really grateful to Kroos," Ancelotti said. "He finished at the very top, there is no way to finish higher than this.
"He had the boldness to finish it [his career] and he is a legend at this club.
"All the fans are grateful to him for his attitude, his professionalism. I've told him we are waiting for him to change his mind – we are waiting for you."
It was the sixth winning campaign for Madrid quadruple Kroos, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal and Nacho in the Champions League.
Only Paco Gento (six) has won the European Cup/Champions League as many times among players in history.
This success will be further boosted by the expected arrival of Kylian Mbappe, who is reportedly set to join Madrid after announcing his intentions to leave Paris Saint-Germain.
Ancelotti says Los Blancos will look to new arrivals, as well as the current crop of Madrid stars, to combat Kroos' retirement.
"We have lost an important player, but we have players who can replace him and we will adapt and play a slightly different way," Ancelotti said.
"We have fantastic players and the resources to remain competitive."
Kroos' Germany face Ukraine and Greece in warm-up fixtures before opening their Euro 2024 campaign against Scotland on June 14.
Alba calls for Miami battle as MLS star Messi heads to Copa America defence
Lionel Messi heads off to Copa America with Argentina after starring once again in MLS, with Jordi Alba calling on Inter Miami to battle in the forward's absence.
Former Barcelona forward Messi made MLS history on Sunday, reaching 25 goal contributions in just 12 appearances this term to shatter the previous fastest record held by Carlos Vela (16 in 2019).
Messi was on target in the 3-3 draw with St. Louis City, while Alba – who assisted Miami's first two goals – salvaged a point at Chase Stadium with a late leveller in a thrilling contest.
Yet Gerardo Martino will not have Messi to call upon for the foreseeable future, as the legendary attacker prepares for Argentina's Copa title defence.
"Knowing the player that he is for us, it's hard, but the team will continue to compete as much as possible, and that will be noticed," Alba said of Messi's absence.
"It's an important absence for us, but we hope he does well in Copa America, we hope he has a great tournament and joins us again when it's time.
"If that's after the final, well – but in the meantime, the team will continue to fight and play."
The 2024 Copa runs from June 20 to July 14, with Inter also potentially losing players to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris at the end of next month.
Martino remains aware of the availability issues that could follow for the Eastern Conference leaders, though Messi leaves with Miami's well wishes.
"In today's game, Leo was practically responsible next to Jordi for the participation of the attack," the Miami head coach said.
"He was involved creating chances, he insisted throughout the game. He finished the game well – and now will do what has corresponded to him his whole life, which is play for Argentina."
Argentina face Ecuador and Guatemala in warm-up fixtures before opening their Copa defence against Canada on June 21.
Inter Miami 3-3 St. Louis City: Alba stars as Messi makes history in MLS draw
Lionel Messi achieved an unprecedented MLS feat on Sunday but his heroics, and a star Jordi Alba performance, could not drag Inter Miami past St. Louis City in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
The Argentina and Barcelona great levelled proceedings after Chris Durkin's early opener, taking Messi to 25 goal contributions this term in just 12 MLS appearances – shattering the previous record by Carlos Vela.
Indiana Vassilev edged the visitors back ahead before Luis Suarez restored parity on the stroke of half-time at Miami's Chase Stadium.
Gerardo Martino's side fell behind again after Suarez turned into his own net but Alba, who assisted Miami's first two goals, saved the day with an 85th-minute equaliser to salvage a point.
The draw left Miami top of the Eastern Conference by two points but second-placed FC Cincinnati have two games in hand over Martino's star-studded line-up.
Meanwhile, St. Louis remain 11th in the Western Conference but just three points adrift of ninth-placed Portland Timbers having played two games fewer.
Data Debrief: Messi history in MLS
Having shattered records across historic spells with Barcelona and Argentina, Messi now has another MLS achievement on his sparkling resume.
Messi became the fastest player to 25 goal contributions in an MLS season, recording 12 goals and 13 assists to surpass the previous record established by Vela in 2019 (16 games, four more than Messi).
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