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Pressure piles on Wayne Rooney as Frank Lampard’s Coventry thrash Plymouth 4-0

Pressure piles on Wayne Rooney as he watched Frank Lampard’s Coventry City thrash his Plymouth Argyle side 4-0 on Boxing Day.

This defeat has left Plymouth at the bottom of the Championship table, exacerbating the scrutiny on Rooney’s managerial tenure.

The match saw all four goals scored by Coventry in the first half, with Josh Eccles netting a brace, and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Ephron Mason-Clark each contributing a goal. This result marks Plymouth’s fifth defeat in six games, highlighting their struggles in the league this season.

The narrative around this match not only focuses on the scoreline but also on the personal and professional rivalry between two former England teammates, Lampard and Rooney, now facing off as managers.

Lampard’s appointment at Coventry has been followed by mixed results, but this victory certainly boosts his standing.

In contrast, Rooney, who took over at Plymouth in May following a challenging stint at Birmingham City, continues to face calls for his dismissal as Plymouth’s winless streak extends to eight games.

This match has significant implications for both managers’ futures in the Championship, with Lampard trying to stabilise Coventry’s position and Rooney losing a battle to try and get Plymouth out of the relegation zone.

Coventry City boss Frank Lampard told BBC CWR: “Taking your chances is the key to football. We found that out at Portsmouth last week.

“Goals can affect the flow of a game – and this time they gave us a really good early feeling.

“We moved the ball well and quickly too. That really pleased me, as did the mentality of the players. You don’t want to get sloppy and we were very professional second half.

“You can never take anything for granted in this league – but the crowd turned up in their numbers – and we put in a performance to send everyone home happy.”

 Lampard, per Sky Sports: “I really liked our performance. As soon as we got the goal it settled us and we felt the confidence in the stadium. We limited them and controlled the game.

“Second half we were professional. The clean sheet was big for us today. We also got to give some players some game time who hadn’t played many minutes. It was a good day all around for us.”


Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney told BBC Radio Devon: “The fans have every right to feel disappointed. The game was really done at half-time.

“I was very disappointed with the goals we conceded, especially so early on. The lads just didn’t switch on quick enough.

“Mustapha Bundu has felt his hamstring, so we’ll assess that over the next few days. Not ideal, but we have to dig in.

“It’s a silly tackle by Callum Wright. He’s had a bit of a wild tackle just before that and he’s got frustrated. I’ve been there myself. But he’s cost himself by missing the next few games.”

Rooney, per Sky Sports: “It was bad. Not a great performance. Defensively we struggled as individuals and as a team. Coventry obviously took advantage of that. The goals were preventable and obviously we conceded four, which I thought was avoidable. First half was very bad.

“It’s clear we’re two different teams. At home we’re a very good team and can compete with any team in this league. Away we’ve really struggled. We’ve tried so many different things to get better results away from home.

“It’s frustrating, of course. Disappointing for all of us – the players, coaches and the fans. 1,200 fans have travelled here today, and the first half was nowhere near good enough.”

On boos from Plymouth fans at the final whistle, he said, per Plymouth Herald: “We have prepared well for the game. We have done everything we felt was right for the game.

“I know the fans have paid a lot of money, the ticket prices were quite high, and then to travel over this (Christmas) period to come and see the performance, especially first half, they have every right to be disappointed.”

On whether he was the right man to lead Argyle forward: “Yeah, I believe I am. I know how football works, I’m not stupid. You need to pick up results.

“The biggest frustration for me is, all season really, we look like two different teams at home and away. So psychologically is there an issue? It’s something we are looking at and trying to help with it.

“And of course, I have said this all season, we need players coming in. I think that’s clear. The one plus I feel today was young Tegan. I thought he had a couple of good moments in the game.

“This will help him moving forward with his own career, getting 90 minutes in a tough situation. But, yeah, I’m sure the fans have questions, I’m sure a lot of people from the outside will and I will do my best to answer them.”

On how he could turn things around: “I think it’s seeing what’s available for the game Sunday (against Oxford), that’s the first thing from my point of view, and making sure we get the recruitment right in January. That’s big for us.

“We have to keep working. I have to keep believing in what we are doing to try to get out of the situation we are in.

“I think it’s tough being any manager. When you go into any job as a coach you know the difficulties of it, you know the pressures of it, and that’s just part of being a manager or a head coach. Of course, when you get results like we have today, or we have in previous away games, it becomes a lot more difficult.”

On the importance of the January transfer window: “I think that’s clear, we need bodies in, and some out as well. That’s also a priority as well.”

This is how fans reacted as pressure piles on Wayne Rooney as Frank Lampard’s Coventry thrash Plymouth 4-0…

@pafc_brad: Let’s be honest any other club in this league Rooney would be gone now but not argyle 🤡 no win in 8 and that’s 5 heavy defeats away from home now 0 away wins and bottom with a -27 goal difference what an embarrassing board we have 😂😂😂 #pafc

@SamDown93: An utter fucking embarrassing disgrace. We cannot and should not continue like this. Basics time after time after time. Past two games have proven a false dawn. It’s time to go. First time I’ve ever left a game at half time. Not actually my choice but the democratic verdict of the bus I was on, can’t blame them or anyone though. An utter shambles once again. At the very minimum a statement of transparency is needed. I did actually watch the game on my mate’s phone mind you, in the second half. It really wasn’t any better. I try to be articulate but my head is still stuck on mars. Three 4-0s, a 5-0, a 6-1 and a 3-0 without any shots . This. Cannot. Carry. On. Last 15 away games all competitions. W 0, D 2, L13. Scored 3, conceded 37. Pathetic for the fans who spend their hard earned money. One win in 13, home and away. 3 away wins in 37 since going back up to this league. Embarrassing. #pafc

@Geddonyajanners: I’m no defender of Rooney!!! But what manager could have got a result today with the players available for selection. Serious question.

@GaryCottier: They gave Rooney the job because of who he is/was in hope that he would finally get it right as a manager and galvanise the club. It hasn’t worked. There was a bit of optimism around September but it’s long gone. You can’t keep a manager in the job just because of his name.

@DW94_: Embarrassment again. Imagine my shock.

@Benjosephjones: No matter what we do, it looks like a lose lose. Sack him now? No funds for Jan. Let him spend and sack him later? On borrowed funds from next season, ensuring no way back up. Our only hopes are another manager making it work with the current squad, or serious investment. #pafc

@PAFCtrey:
We’re so far gone now
• Injuries every game
• Red card
• Only 2 games of good football
• No money
• Confused on what’s happening in Jan
• No statements from any players apologising

@EvanGale5:
Foster was sacked after 1 win in 11.
Rooney currently has 1 win in 13. #pafc

@Element_M1ller: Why have Rooney and Dewsnip not been given the boot yet? Why do we have a board that are so incompetent at firing managers? Why do we have a chairman that in his own words is stubborn and digs his heels in when fans moan? Fucking shambles #pafc

@_jackolani7:
Really wanted it to work, but this is worse than Foster, by some distance.
Rooney Out.
Parkinson Out.
Dewsnip Out.
Fitness department Out.
Recruitment team Out.
Most players Out.
Hallett Out. (Not happening because we don’t have a Saudi prince waiting in the wings)
#pafc

@jm_bell95: Wayne Rooney is statistically the joint worst manager in Plymouth Argyle’s history 😳 Lose on Sunday, he will be in a league of his own. 18.2% is his win rate #pafc

@alex_jrobertson: That’s pretty much confirmed relegation. We can’t expect to stay in this division if that’s the level of football we’re prepared to play at. The board knows this is happening but it feels like this is being ignored. They know how to start turning it round. #pafc

@ecfcwayne83: From one Wayne to another, please stay. I know Rooney can turn this around 🤣

@andy_cov93: That was absolute pathetic. Wasn’t even worth celebrating the 4th goal, your keeper is an embarrassment. The fans deserve more than that performance. No fight at all in that squad

@EvanGale5: @SimonHallett this speaks volumes. Do the right thing for the club you love. #pafc

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