Wayne Rooney didn’t mince his words as he slammed his Plymouth Argyle team following their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Bristol City – stating bluntly that “they’re not representing this club in the right way”.
The Championship team was dismantled at Ashton Gate on Saturday (November 30), marking their second away defeat in quick succession, having been thrashed 6-1 by Norwich City just days prior. The Pilgrims are yet to secure an away victory this season and have the worst defensive record in the league, with a staggering 38 goals conceded in just 18 matches under the stewardship of the Manchester United icon.
Post-match, the 39-year-old expressed his dismay at his squad’s dire situation, with only one win in their last nine outings. “Embarrassed really,” Rooney confessed when reflecting on Saturday’s lacklustre performance. “That’s the right word to use.
“After what happened on Tuesday at Norwich, we came here with a gameplan to try and be in the game, for 50 minutes we were. We concede the first goal and we collapse. It’s exactly what happened at Norwich, it’s exactly what happened at Leeds. As soon as we concede a goal, the players out there collapse and we look very fragile. It’s very frustrating, disappointing.”
Plymouth Live report how Rooney didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, strongly criticising his players and suggesting they are not upholding the proud traditions of the club. “When we’re going through this run we’re going through with away games, you need to dig deep and find something within you.
“If them players want to have the career you hope they want to have they need to do that very quick because they’re not representing this club in the right way.
“I’ve tried going at the players. I’ve tried encouraging and supporting them. I’ve tried everything really so I need to keep trying to find the right balance to fix the away performances.”
While fans on social media subjected Rooney to a barrage of criticism after the latest crushing loss, there were others who sided with his viewpoint, urging the players to shoulder their share of blame for the disappointing outcomes.
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One supporter praised the head coach, posting: “Well said Rooney, bang on, the players need to take full accountability, some changes in personnel need to happen and Rooney should remain where he is.”
Echoing similar sentiments, another chimed in: “Roll on January, some of our squad don’t want to be there. The players need to start taking some accountability as well.”
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