Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney has moved to dismiss talk that there is no pressure on his side for today’s trip to Leeds United, as reported by The Plymouth Herald.
Rooney had been asked whether the match was seen as a ‘free hit’ for his struggling side.
A Tough Challenge
Speaking ahead of the clash with third-placed Leeds, Rooney rejected the notion it was a free hit,
“No. We are representing the football club. We are going to try and win the game.”
The former Birmingham City accepts the quality of the opposition could make for a difficult afternoon for his side.
“We know we are going to suffer at times throughout the game. That is normal. The players know that. It’s a good atmosphere and Leeds are a good team, it is a difficult place to go, so we have to be resilient, we have to dig in, we have to pull together…”
Plymouth Will Try And Win The Game
Despite the odds being stacked against his side, Rooney insists they will be doing everything they can to win the game.
“We have to manage the game well and be brave and confident with the ball. I think that’s important.”
“We have to be stubborn. We have to go with a game plan to try and get something out of the game and we have done everything we can to do that. We respect every opposition we play, of course.”
Inconsistent Form
Argyle finds themselves in the bottom three after a disappointing run of just one win in the last five matches, including a 5-0 hammering at the hands of relegation rivals Cardiff City.
Prior to that defeat in Wales, Rooney’s men had secured three victories from five matches with the two defeats in that period coming against promotion hopefuls Burnley and West Bromwich Albion.
Writer’s View
If Rooney and his side leave Elland Road with a point, he will doubtless be delighted. Argyle has crucial matches against Portsmouth and Derby County on the horizon but has to stay on the coattails of the likes of in-form Cardiff.
Very few will expect the visitors to get anything from this encounter so perhaps the Devon club can use that to their advantage and shock their hosts.
