Wayne Rooney, the manager of struggling Championship side Plymouth Argyle, has again criticized the performance and character of his players following their recent heavy defeat.
Plymouth lost 4-0 to Bristol City on Saturday, just days after losing 6-1 to Norwich City. The Greens have now conceded 14 goals in their last four away games, putting them in fourth place in the championship table and facing a relegation battle.
Rooney, the former Manchester United and England star, didn’t hold back in his assessment of his players’ performance.
“From then on (the second half) the players collapsed,” he said. “That’s nothing I haven’t told the players either. They completely collapsed. It was the same away in Norwich, it was the same away in Leeds.
The 37-year-old coach questioned the players’ will and character, saying they needed to “dig deeper” and show more fight.
When you want a career in football, sometimes you have to dig deep within yourself. This is something I have done many times as a player and I feel like the players showed a real lack of character and fight after conceding the first goal and that is very disappointing.”
Rooney acknowledged the team’s injury problems but insisted it was no excuse for their recent defeat. He said he had tried different tactics and approaches to get the best out of his players, but “so far, away from home, nothing has gotten through to them.”
The former England captain took responsibility for the result but urged his players to show more pride, respect and passion for the club.
“We have a duty to this football club to show pride, respect, passion and fight for this club and I feel that has not been the case in the last two games.”
Plymouth’s next two games could be crucial to their season, with a home game against fellow contenders Oxford United This was followed by a home game against Swansea City.
The club is currently just two points above the relegation zone and has the worst goal difference in the league at -20.