Wayne Rooney has been told his Plymouth Argyle side need to improve fast if they are to stave off relegation to League One.
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Plymouth struggling under manager RooneySent Championship relegation warningTold "biggest disappointment" this seasonFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Having lost nine and drawn two of their 11 away Championship games this season, ex-Wolves striker Don Goodman has criticised the job Rooney is doing at Plymouth. He believes the Pilgrims' inability to win on the road will be the 39-year-old's "biggest disappointment" so far and they are in real danger of getting relegated.
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He told Coin Poker: "For Wayne Rooney, or anybody else, managing Plymouth Argyle was always going to be a tough gig. The fact their budget is one of the lowest in the division is reflected by the recruitment and some of the players that they brought in. You must remember this is a squad that only survived on the final day of last season. That's what Wayne Rooney walked into. Wayne has always backed himself, no matter if that was going to Birmingham City, Derby County or DC United.
"I think the biggest disappointment for him will be the performances away from home, where they have capitulated at times. That's what I think we can criticise Wayne Rooney for. They need to be harder to beat away from home and have only scored three goals while conceding 29. How on earth are you meant to pick up points by doing that? Plymouth have a big scrap on their hands. In the Championship and under these circumstances, it will always be a question if Argyle can do enough to keep themselves above that dreaded relegation zone. They managed to do it last season but if they're going to do it this season things will have to improve pretty soon."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Rooney took over at Plymouth in the summer but currently they sit second from bottom in the Championship. The Manchester United legend is yet to prove he is cut out for management after being sacked by Birmingham City and failing to post a win percentage above 30 at Derby County and DC United. If results don't improve soon, Rooney will be looking for a new club.
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Plymouth are much stronger at Home Park, however, and will hope to beat sixth-placed Middlesbrough on Saturday in the Championship.