Wayne Rooney: Does he prove the doubters wrong at Plymouth after a poor start as Argyle manager? | Football news

It could hardly have been a worse start for Wayne Rooney to his tenure at Plymouth Argyle.

Desperate to prove themselves after a nightmare at Birmingham City last season, Plymouth were instead beaten 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday in front of Sky cameras on the opening day of the season in August.

However, there has been a slow and steady improvement since then, with three wins from the last five – at home to Sunderland, Luton and Blackburn. There have also been two defeats, but they came as narrow 1-0 defeats against high-flying West Brom and Burnley.

There are signs that things are improving, both in terms of performance and results.

“I get the impression that a lot of people want Wayne to fail, and I don’t know why,” Air sports commentator Gary Weaver told the Essential EFL podcast.

“I spoke to Plymouth director of football Neil Dewsnip who told me that Wayne is now more hands-on on the training pitch than when he started as manager.

“At Derby and DC United, the coaching was mainly done by his coaches. He watched and only intervened when necessary. But now he is more involved.”

“He wants to prove himself. The team he has there is a good team with attacking options. That win against Luton showed what they are all about. They also create such a good atmosphere at Home Park.”

Weaver also revealed that Plymouth owner Simon Hallett didn’t even have Rooney on his radar for the job after his time at Birmingham, but the former Manchester United and England captain impressed him during the interview process.

“He told me Wayne would never have been on his radar,” Weaver added. “But he interviewed him and he got through round after round and then reached the last four.

“The reason he was offered the job was because of his playing style. He thought he would unite the club – because there were cracks that had not been there for a few years – and also because he would give young people a chance.

“Of course you have to start winning games. But now he’s starting to do that. He’s showing what he can do at the moment, and hopefully for him he can continue to do that.”

Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe agreed that Rooney’s playing style will be crucial.

“You have to remember how Wayne wants to play the game,” he reiterated. “He believes in that style of football and it has been proven that that style brings success in the Championship.

“I’m not saying Plymouth will be promoted, but most teams are now ‘playing’ their way out of the Championship. They dominate the ball and control games.

“Rooney is right to want to play the way he does. At Birmingham the players weren’t able to do that and there was a concern that would continue to happen at every club he went to.

“In that 4-0 defeat on the opening day, every part of their performance was poor. You thought things could go downhill quickly. But the players believed. They kept Morgan Whittaker (who scored the winner on Saturday) and there is more to come more of him.

“It’s still fluid and a work in progress, with most of their games decided by a single goal.

“There is still work to be done, but things are definitely moving forward. The evidence is there.”

Plymouth Argyle will return to live action on Sky Sports+ after the international break. Watch Wayne Rooney’s side at Cardiff City in the 12.30 kick-off on Saturday 19 October.