Rooney left ´embarrassed´ by heavy Plymouth defeats

Wayne Rooney has been left “embarrassed” by Plymouth Argyle’s recent performances on the back of conceding 10 goals in the space of two games.

Plymouth are winless in four Championship matches, with that run having seen them drop to just one place above the relegation zone.

Their goal difference has taken a huge hit in the past week, however, following a 6-1 loss to Norwich City and a 4-0 defeat to Bristol City.

Rooney, who was appointed as head coach in May, is reportedly under pressure, and Manchester United’s record goalscorer knows matters must improve swiftly.

“I’ve been criticised since I was a 16-year-old boy, my whole career,” Rooney said, as reported by BBC Sport.

“What you always want is weapons to fight back with – at the minute we’ve got none.

“So we have to take it on the chin and hope that we get through this, because the last two games arguably have been the toughest and hardest week of my managerial career.

“So I need to find a way to get through it, but also get that message through to the players to make sure I lift them.

“It’s at a point now where the players need to understand that they need to give more and they need to show more character, more fight, more desire.

“It was very difficult walking over [to the fans] and not feel embarrassed.”

Plymouth have the lowest expected goals (xG) in the Championship this season, having accumulated only 12.7. However, they have netted 18 times.

It is a bad mix for Rooney, though, as Argyle have the highest xG against, with their 35.8 xGA five clear of next-worst Stoke City (30.8), while Plymouth have also conceded the most goals (38) and shots (324, 40 more than any other side).

“Ultimately it’s my responsibility – I take full responsibility for the results, I pick the team, I pick the tactics,” Rooney added.

“But I think the players are at a stage now where they need to hear, not just in the dressing room, but they need to hear it from outside as well, that they have to show more.

“We’ve got a duty to this football club to show a pride, a respect, a passion, a fight for this club and the last two games I feel it hasn’t been there.”