August 11th 2024.
Wayne Rooney's Plymouth team suffered a tough loss against Sheffield Wednesday, with a final score of 4-0. The legendary ex-Manchester United and England captain was both angry and disappointed with the result, admitting that the defeat was well-deserved.
Rooney, who took over as Plymouth's head coach in May, raised some eyebrows with his appointment given his previous stint as manager of Birmingham City, which lasted only 15 games and resulted in a sharp decline in the team's ranking. Returning to England's second tier, Rooney was hopeful for a fresh start, but things took a turn for the worse at Hillsborough.
Jamal Lowe scored the first goal for Sheffield Wednesday just before half-time, followed by an own goal from Brendan Galloway in the 52nd minute. The hosts continued to dominate, with Josh Windass and Michael Smith adding two more goals to the scoreboard. This loss puts Plymouth at the bottom of the table after just one game. They will have a chance to turn things around when they face Cheltenham in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, followed by a league game against Hull City four days later.
Rooney spoke to Sky Sports after the game, expressing his disappointment and anger at the team's performance. He pointed out that the basics of the game were lacking, such as winning duels, second balls, and stopping crosses. He also noted that the team lacked confidence and failed to handle the crowd, allowing Sheffield Wednesday to gain control of the game.
Rooney felt that Barry Bannan was the standout player for Sheffield Wednesday, with his Plymouth side unable to contain him. He acknowledged that the team's strategy to stop Bannan from getting the ball was not executed well, and this ultimately cost them the game.
The Plymouth coach emphasized the importance of earning the right to play on the pitch, regardless of a player's experience or tenure with the club. He also expressed his disappointment in letting down the team's loyal supporters, who traveled a long way to watch the game. Rooney made it clear that the team will be working hard to ensure that such a performance does not happen again.
Looking ahead, Rooney knows that the team has a chance to redeem themselves in the upcoming Carabao Cup match, but he was surprised and disappointed by their performance against Sheffield Wednesday. He remains determined to work with the team to improve and bounce back from this defeat.
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