‘Nothing is getting through’ – Under-pressure Rooney slams his Plymouth team

Wayne Rooney has once again taken aim at his Plymouth players after their final away game in the Championship on Saturday.

Rooney's side, who sit fourth in the Championship and appear to be in the relegation phase to stay in the division, lost 4-0 to Bristol City on Saturday, just days after a 6-1 defeat to Norwich.

The Greens have now conceded 14 goals in their last four second division games away from home, with their problems on the road clearly visible among the already under-pressure Manchester United legend.

Rooney pulled no punches when addressing the media after the defeat to Norwich in midweek, insisting the club's youth team would have defended better than the first team on the night.

And it was a similar story last weekend, with a goal from Anis Mehmeti and goals from Scott Twine and Sinclair Armstrong – all four goals coming in the second half – making it an easy afternoon away for City.

Rooney again targeted his players after the match, questioning their character and desire as he wondered why his instructions were not followed.

'From there [in the second half]the players collapsed,” Rooney said. “Again, this isn't something I haven't told the players. They collapsed completely. It was the same at Norwich away, it was the same at Leeds away.

'If you want to have a football career, sometimes you have to dig deep, deep within yourself. It's something I've done many times as a player, and I feel like the players showed a real lack of character and lack of fight after we conceded the first goal, and that's very disappointing.

'Of course we have injuries – and I'm certainly not making excuses – but the players who have come in have all had playing time. I've tried different ways, different systems. I went up to them, I tried to encourage them. I've tried to find the right balance between the two.

'So far, nothing gets through to them outside the home. I think the most important thing is that when we concede a goal it seems like the game is over and hopefully you can keep it to one goal, which is not a good place to be.

'I talk a lot about the players and I never like to do that, but I think this is now at a point where the players have to understand that they have to give more and show more character, more fight, more desire. I simplified the game for them as much as possible today, so as not to overcomplicate things.”

Questions are being asked about Rooney's position as the man in charge of the team, with the former England captain struggling in his previous role at Birmingham.

Next up for Rooney's side is Oxford United at home in a match that could be crucial to Plymouth's season before they are back at home to Swansea.

The club is currently only two points above the relegation zone and has the worst goal difference of all teams with seven goals, namely -20.

“Ultimately it's my responsibility,” Rooney added. 'I take full responsibility for the result. I choose the team, choose the tactics with which we go into the match, but I think the players are now at a stage where they not only need to hear it in the dressing room, but also hear it from outside that they have done that. to show more.

“We have a duty to this football club to show pride, respect, passion and fight for this club and I don't think that has happened in the last two games.

'My reflections at the end of the match are a great shame if I'm honest. know the support the fans have given us. They have come here in large numbers, it was the same on Tuesday and the same today.

“It was really hard to walk up to the fans and show our appreciation and not be ashamed.”

It was not the first time Rooney had publicly criticized his players, with their abilities being questioned by the ex-striker's start against Norwich in midweek.

Rooney then had some harsh words for his men, suggesting that they 'didn't look like they could get back into it', had to 'perform better than that' to stay in the team and that he was 'until had to get to the bottom of it'. why this is happening.'

However, it appears his cries fell on deaf ears as his players collapsed at Ashton Gate this weekend.