Wayne Rooney called on his team to “become men very quickly” and asked Plymouth to “show more resilience” following their third straight Championship defeat.
Swansea was the destination for Plymouth.
The outcome “really disappointed” Rooney.
Man Utd legend is under increasing pressure.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Rooney was extremely irritated by the type of goals his team gave up as the Pilgrims lost 2-1 to Swansea City at Home Park. Rooney acknowledged that his team’s execution was lacking even though they had been working in training to strengthen their defensive organization, especially in preventing crosses and guarding their penalty area. Swansea took advantage of their meager two attempts on goal, with goals from Jay Fulton and Liam Cullen.
ROONEY’S COMMENTS
“I thought we were the superior team in the first half. He told reporters, “After maybe ten minutes, we actually played some really good stuff, had a few chances, a few half chances, and didn’t take them.”
“Then, just before halftime, they scored, which was a huge letdown because we have been practicing getting to the ball, preventing crosses, and blocking shots for the past ten days. They score because we let the cross enter the box too easily, don’t handle it well enough, and make a bad clearance. It’s clearly harder because of that. To put it mildly, the objectives we gave up were foolish, so that was really disappointing from our point of view.”
Championship
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | +/- | PTS | Form | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | West Bromwich | 19 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 29 | DDDDW | |
| 9 | Swansea | 20 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 27 | WDDWL | |
| 10 | Norwich | 20 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 26 | DLWWD | |
| 22 | Cardiff | 18 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 17 | 28 | -11 | 17 | DLDLL | |
| 23 | Plymouth | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 40 | -21 | 17 | LLLDD | |
| 24 | Hull | 19 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 17 | 27 | -10 | 15 | LLLLL |
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Mustapha Bundu provided a glimmer of hope for the home side with a goal in the 79th minute, igniting belief in a late equaliser. However, despite mounting pressure and several attempts to create chances, Plymouth were unable to grab a draw.
“There is no denying, we know we are going through a difficult moment, and sometimes when you are going through a difficult moment them small things become big things and seem to go against you, and certainly they have tonight,” Rooney admitted.
“We have to do better. We have to show a bit more resilience. I know we have got a lot of young players in there as well but we have to become men very quickly because it doesn’t get any easier. We have got a really tough game Saturday (away to Sheffield United) and then a really tough fixture list over Christmas. We need to find that resilience, and dig in and stay in games more than what we are doing.”
FUTURE PLANS FOR PLYMOUTH?
Plymouth’s miserable record of only one victory in their previous ten league games highlights their awful play. But their run won’t get any easier because the Pilgrims will play promotion-chasing Sheffield United away from home on Saturday, which will be a tough test.
Following Plymouth’s loss to Swansea City, which put them just one spot from the bottom of the table, supporters have demanded that Wayne Rooney be replaced.
Swansea defeated Plymouth at home.
One spot off the bottom now
Supporters are angry with Rooney.
Rooney suffered yet another loss on Tuesday, adding to his troubles at Plymouth. Swansea City defeated the Pilgrims 2-1 at home, their third consecutive defeat. Fans have made it obvious on social media that they believe it’s time for the Manchester United great to leave the Championship team, and the outcome will further scrutinize under-pressure manager Rooney.
THOUGHTS FROM THE FANS
@ianlew17, an X user posted in response to the outcome: “Wayne out, Coleen in.”
Coleen also receives the vote from @lumsdengolf: “Given all the good he’s doing at Plymouth Argyle, Wayne Rooney would have been just as happy to join his wife in the jungle. “#imacelebrity2024”
Additionally, @RhysEvans0123 believes the Plymouth manager’s time is done, writing: “Go Rooney, do the right thing.” Not everyone is cut out for management.
@StanGeorge97, another admirer, added: “I’m rapidly losing faith in Rooney. He’s a good guy, but I don’t think he’s a good manager.
“Coleen in, Wayne out!” Plymouth supporters want Rooney to take over as manager after the team’s most recent defeat dropped them to second place in the Championship standings.
And @alrichie4 feels it’s time for Rooney to change jobs: “I think Wayne Rooney should just leave the manager/coach things isn’t in his DNA bse Plymouth Argyle is falling apart. Rooney either doesn’t really take time to choose a good projects or he’s not met be a coach. He should become a football pundit like Gary Neville.”
Rooney’s issues coincide with Coleen, his wife, making headlines and placing second on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here. Having starred in the show, Coleen is now apparently being lined up for a massive TV deal, with rich offers reportedly already pouring in. For Wayne, who is currently fighting to maintain his position at Plymouth and remain in the Championship, it’s a very different tale.
Coleen will soon return home from her time in the Australian wilderness, joining Rooney and his kids. He and Plymouth will be keen to gain points the following game, but they will have a difficult test on Saturday against Sheffield United, who are vying for the championship.
