Wayne Rooney, the manager of struggling Championship club Plymouth Argyle, has once again criticized his players’ performance and character following their latest heavy defeat.
Plymouth were thrashed 4-0 by Bristol City on Saturday, just days after a 6-1 loss to Norwich City. The Greens have now conceded 14 goals in their last four away games, leaving them fourth-bottom in the Championship and facing a relegation battle.
Rooney, the former Manchester United and England star, did not hold back in his assessment of his players’ display.
“From there [in the second half], the players collapsed,” he said. “Again, this is not something I haven’t told the players. They completely collapsed. It was the same at Norwich away, it was the same at Leeds away.
The 37-year-old manager questioned the players’ desire and character, saying they need to “dig deep” and show more fight.
When you want to have a career in football you need to dig deep at times, and dig deep within yourself. It’s something I have done many times as a player, and I feel the players showed a real lack of character and lack of fight after we conceded the first goal, and that is very disappointing.”
Rooney acknowledged the team’s injury issues but insisted that was not an excuse for the latest defeat. He said he has tried different tactics and approaches to get the best out of his players, but “up to now, away from home, nothing is getting through to them.”
The former England captain took responsibility for the result, but called on his players to step up and show more pride, respect, and passion for the club.
“We have 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 that hasn’t been there.”
Plymouth’s next two games could be crucial for their season, with a home match against fellow strugglers Oxford United followed by a home game against Swansea City.
The club currently sits just two points above the relegation zone, with the worst goal difference in the league at -20.
