Chris Sutton Voices “A Lot of Sympathy” for Rooney

Chris Sutton stated he has “a lot of sympathy” for Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney, following the Pilgrims’ recent string of poor performances. Argyle’s defense allowed 10 goals in their two most recent fixtures: a 6-1 defeat against Norwich City last Tuesday and a 4-0 loss to Bristol City on Saturday. These results prompted the former England captain to characterize the past week as the “hardest” of his managerial career and to feel “embarrassed” while acknowledging the visiting Argyle supporters at Ashton Gate. Consequently, Rooney’s squad, hampered by injuries, now sits one position and two points clear of the relegation zone. Since Rooney assumed leadership in May, the team has secured victories in only four of their 18 Championship encounters. “Rooney didn’t have to do it and I actually have a lot of sympathy for him and the criticism which he’s getting,” stated Sutton, a former striker for Aston Villa and Celtic, during an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. He added, “I know he’s had a bad week, a desperately bad week – walloped six at Norwich and four at Bristol City – but the expectation for Plymouth I think, I maybe wrong, is staying in the Championship would be a pretty big deal.”