Wayne Rooney has introduced immediate changes at Plymouth Argyle, increasing the intensity of training as he seeks to halt the team’s poor run of form. Currently second-bottom in the Championship and without a win in their last six matches, Plymouth has struggled under Rooney’s leadership. With a hectic festive schedule approaching, the former Manchester United striker is demanding more from his players to turn their fortunes around.
Speaking to BBC Radio Devon, Rooney explained, “We’ve actually stepped the training up to train harder. I feel it’s really important from now until mid-January that we step up the intensity because that gives your body resilience to prevent injuries.”
Plymouth’s upcoming fixture list is demanding, with games against Middlesbrough, Coventry, Oxford, Bristol City, and Stoke all within the next few weeks. Despite the busy schedule, Rooney believes that pushing his players physically is crucial. He continued, “Yesterday we trained a lot harder than we normally would on that day because this time next week we’ll be playing a game. We have to get our players’ bodies into a shape and routine to be ready for the challenges every few days.”
Rooney’s commitment to improving the squad’s fitness is part of his strategy to give them a “mini pre-season” to help them through the holiday period. The pressure remains high on the 38-year-old, but Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett has publicly supported him, confirming that there are no plans to replace the manager.
“We are all feeling the pressure,” said Hallett at a fans’ forum. “Wayne is feeling the pressure, the fans are feeling it, and the board is as well. But there are no conversations about replacing Wayne; we are focused on how to support him and help him become the great coach we believe he can be.”
With the support of the club, Rooney now faces the task of lifting Plymouth out of the relegation zone and back into form during a crucial stretch of games.
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