We take a look at what Wayne Rooney said to his Plymouth players to comeback from 3-0 down and draw 3-3 with Preston on Saturday.
North End were three up by the 48th minute through Sam Greenwood, Mads Frokjaer-Jensen and Brad Potts, putting more pressure on Argyle boss Wayne Rooney.
However, the hosts fought back second half with Freddie Issaka and late goals from Andre Gray and Morgan Whittaker pulling them back level in stoppage time.
The result leaves Plymouth 21st with 12 points from 12 games played and a point above the Championship drop zone, while Preston are 16th with 14 points from the same amount of games played.
Plymouth’s Wayne Rooney said, per Sky Sports: “I am angry because that performance is nowhere near good enough. We were easy to play against. Obviously I am pleased we drew the game but I can’t accept that performance.
“I am frustrated but even at 3-0 you can turn a game and I tried to get more attackers into the box, but we didn’t do that at first.
“The last three games we have hit a bit of a blip but we need to get out of it. The one thing I never question with the players is their character. We need to learn the little nuances of the game.
“It was a good game for Freddie and there’s a lot for him to learn today. He got his rewards for following in the free-kick.
“It could have been worse if it wasn’t for Dan (Grimshaw, goalkeeper). I felt for him today because of how easy it was for them to get through us and get shots off. It was schoolboy defending really.
“I think the fans had every right to boo at half-time but then when they saw us pushing and making changes and getting more balls in the box you could feel the atmosphere growing. I was delighted for them we got a point.
“It was important to stop losing after the last two games. You hope yet get a goal because you know that can alter the momentum, swing the game.”
Rooney told BBC Radio Devon: “I’m angry really. That performance is nowhere near good enough.
“For an hour of that game it didn’t look like us at all. We were easy to play against, we weren’t putting tackles in, we weren’t getting to the ball.
“I’m obviously pleased to get a point out of the game, but I can’t accept that performance.
“There have been games this season where we’ve been really good, but the last three games have been a blip and we have to snap out of it because today could have been much worse.”
Fair enough the gaffer and Morgs saying they aren’t happy with the performance and Rooney saying he’s angry more than happy after today #pafc pic.twitter.com/4zj9naqFKz
— Casey Pilgrim (@PilgrimCas1437) October 26, 2024
“I told them you’ve got five minutes otherwise I’m making five changes” 🗣️
Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney on what he said to his players at half-time after they came back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Preston 🟢 pic.twitter.com/Wbz6bK0v7S
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) October 27, 2024
Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom, per Sky Sports: “It’s one that got away, without a doubt. Took the shine off a really good performance. We need to make sure we look back and take the positives from the game. We let them in there – and we need to learn from it.
“We had opportunities all game, when Plymouth went 3-1 we had better chances, when it was 3-2 we had better chances.
“We had enough experience on there to see the game out. At 3-0 we had more than enough on the pitch to keep a clean sheet.
“It’s how we use this. It was a lot of little things that added up at the end of the game that put us under pressure.
“Even when we conceded the goal we had an opportunity to go up the other end and get a fourth but we didn’t and that cost us in the end.
“Disappointed we didn’t control more of the ball when we had it. We want to keep building and be more of a threat in the game. The two or three [times] we switched off, they capitalised.”
Heckingbottom told BBC Radio Lancashire:
“It’s clear to see why we didn’t come away with the three points in how we defended those key moments – not following a free kick in, missing a tackle, not dealing with a cross – everything we’d been doing really, really well.
“We should have had a hell of a lot more points and should be really comfortable, pushing that top end of the table because that’s another performance where we’ve showed we’re capable.
“We had opportunities all game, and even when Plymouth went to 3-1 we had the better ones.
“It’s just so disappointing how we defended those moments because it’s out of nothing, and that’s not being disrespectful to Plymouth.
“Everything was in front of us, we really limited them, but it’s our own fault.”
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Here’s how fans reacted after what Wayne Rooney said to Plymouth players as his side’s comeback from 3-0 down and draw 3-3 with Preston…
@adenutba: at least he knows it, most managers would sugar coat that with the comeback praises, big week needed, can’t see us getting anything out of leeds tho, even if we were performing well
@lwestlake7: Agreed! Well said Rooney, honesty from the gafa because the squad need to realise that isn’t acceptable 9 goals in 3 games is very poor! Got to be harder and more difficult to break down, leaving gaps all over the park! Have to defend as a unit!
@PAFCLopez: Surely he’s got to look at how he’s setting up the team, the space we give teams down the wings is quite incredible. And let’s not talk about in possession issues.
@RhysEvans0123: Also down to the team picked. Defence is no where good enough anyway
@Niall_pafc: Wazza has learnt Fergie Time and now implements it at every home game apparently
@VinceRennie: Undeserved but I’ll take it. Took far too long to get going, abysmal first half. For me Rooney is still not the man for the job. Could have been 5 or 6 for PNE had it not been for Grimshaw. Far too many will see this is a point gained instead of 2 dropped though
@PAFCRyan: Shouldn’t have been 3-0 down to begin with, paper over gaping cracks, home games are must wins as we don’t stand a chance away, we’ll done on the comeback though but just not good enough.
@GeorgeBolam: Almost feel guilty about taking a point from that. I’ll take it
@PAFCConnor2: How the bloody hell have we done that
@RickSlayerBloke: Take that at the end of the day but let’s be honest, it wasn’t good enough for the vast majority of that game
@ITAJanner: Incredible fight to get that point, just need to keep that fighting spirit for next week!
@Charlie72169993: Why’s everyone getting so worried and angry? We had exactly same amount of points after 12 games last season but because it was Schuey it was okay ? Schuey had over a year and a half, Rooney been here for 5 or so months.
@elliot_massey: I love this club so much, today really showed the togetherness, the boys dug in and got that result, of course could have been better but they did this for the fans today #pafc
@matthew_ch77: For the shit mumba got Wednesday he carried us on his back at times today especially at 3-0 down one of the few players who showed spirit and managed to get us back into it today he’s been a fantastic signing for this club #pafc
@StevieWotsa: Fortress Home Park! We could’ve nicked it! My heart couldnt hack it the players the fans tried their absolute best to get the players going. Nicking it at the end there would have been harsh but feel it’s a point gained. Well done the players the staff and the fans #pafc 💚
@troyhill91: Two crossed into the box and two goals. How about playing the wingers on the correct sides and stop narrowing the game by cutting inside every time we try and go forward?
@zakbrownz: Good point but let’s not beat around the bush, that for 80 minutes was unacceptable!
@olpafc_: How’ve we bagged a point from that 🤣🤣
@TobyGostling: Unbelievable show of mentality again at home park. Miles off it. Result papers over cracks, Grimshaw brilliant, kept it to only 3. Mumba brilliant. Only outfielder who looked like he wanted to get anything from the game. Fuck me we miss Gibbo and Palsson absolutely stinks. #pafc
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