'Embarrassed' Wayne Rooney insists fans should be 'angry' as he calls out Plymouth squad following latest mauling

11/30/2024 01:40 PM

Wayne Rooney told talkSPORT he feels ’embarrassed’ after watching his Plymouth Argyle side ship TEN goals in their last two games.

The Pilgrims lost 4-0 away at Bristol City on Saturday afternoon – just days after being dispatched 6-1 at Norwich.

Manchester United legend Rooney told his players after the defeat at Carrow Road that they were in store for a difficult 48 hours in their preparation to travel to Ashton Gate.

But the Championship strugglers, who sit 21st in the table, were yet again humiliated on the road with the club without an away win all season.

And Rooney has insisted that fans have every right to be angry at his side as he hit out at his players – accusing them of lacking ‘grit’ and ‘determination’.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT’s Laurence Mora, Rooney was asked to sum up what has been a horror week.

To which he said: “A game very frustrating I think. We come with a game plan, I thought we were in the game and then we concede one goal and we collapse.

“I think it’s evident to see that. It’s exactly the same what happened against Norwich. So yeah, very difficult to think. Again, it’s my responsibility, I take responsibility for that game.

“But I think for the players now, they need to show a bit more grit and determination and a bit more character when we go a goal down.

“Because I can feel as soon as we go a goal down, you can see the players lose the confidence they now have and we can’t afford for that to happen again.”

Commenting on the club’s misfortunes away from Home Park, Rooney remarked: “It’s a different atmosphere, a different occasion away from home of course.

“But I think a lot of them, some of them are obviously young lads in there, but a lot of them are grown men in there.

“You need to find character and find something inside you to help you get through away games, that’s normal.

“I thought we’d done OK up until the first goal and then as soon as the first goal goes in we fold.

“So that’s not good for any team away from home. The results have not been there, not been good enough.

“But the manner of the results is what’s killing us and we need to try and get over that quick and fix it.”

Commenting on the heated reception he and his players got from the travelling Plymouth fans, Rooney stated: “I think for the fans, we’re grateful we see the support again.

“And it’s very difficult to say to the players – you’re almost embarrassed walking over to the fans and showing your appreciation.”

He added: “If I was a fan I’d probably be a lot more angry than what they are. I think it’s nowhere near good enough and we have to fix it quick.

“We need to find a way. I’ve tried going up to players, I’ve tried to encourage and support the players.

“I’ve tried everything really. I need to keep trying to find the right balance and the right way to make sure I get better performances, particularly away from home.”

Next up for Plymouth is a home clash with Oxford, who sit in 18th spot – one point ahead of them.