Rooney says he is still the right man to lead Argyle
Wayne Rooney has guided Plymouth Argyle to four Championship wins this season
- Published
Wayne Rooney says he still feels that he is the right man to lead Plymouth Argyle despite suffering another heavy away loss.
Boxing Day's 4-0 loss at Coventry City was the fifth time the bottom-of-the-table Pilgrims had conceded four or more goals in a Championship away game this season.
Argyle's away form is the worst in the English Football League having taken just two points from 12 games - scoring three goals and conceding 33.
The loss was a fifth in their last six games - a creditable 3-3 draw with play-off chasing Middlesbrough in their last match is the only point Argyle have won in more than a month.
They are now two points from safety at the bottom of the Championship ahead of a key clash away at fellow strugglers Oxford United on Sunday, 29 December.
When asked if he was still the right man to lead Argyle, Rooney replied: "I believe I am. I know how football works, I'm not stupid, you need to pick up results.
"The biggest frustration for me all season really is we look like two different teams at home and away.
"So psychologically is there an issue? It's something we're looking at."
He added: "I'm sure the fans have questions, I'm sure a lot of people from the outside will, and I'll do my best to answer them as best I can."
Wayne Rooney : "I am the right man to take the club forward"
Rooney has not been helped by injuries at Home Park this season - especially in attack.
The former England captain was without five forwards going into the trip to Coventry and lost Sierra Leone attacker Mustapha Bundu to a hamstring problem before half-time.
His replacement Callum Wright was sent off and Argyle finished the game with teenagers Freddie Issaka and Tegan Finn - a 16-year-old making his first-ever senior start - in attack as Rooney opted to bring his only experienced forward Andre Gray off at the break.
Rooney says the forthcoming transfer window will be key to the success or failure of Argyle this season.
"I'm making sure we're getting the recruitment right in January, I think that's big for us to make sure we get that right," he added.
"We have to keep working, I have to keep believing in what we're going to try and get out of the situation we're in.
"It's clear we need bodies in, and some out as well, that's also the priority as well."