After losing to Leeds United six days ago, Plymouth manager Wayne Rooney made some unsavory comments about the Whites.
The game was one of the most dominant first half performances by any championship team this season. Three goals in eight minutes from Leeds stunned Plymouth just before halftime.
Dan James, Joel Piroe and Brenden Aaronson all found the back of the net without a reply from Wayne Rooney’s men.
After the game, Daniel Farke said the first 45 minutes was “total control”:
“I’m not sure if I was ever involved in a game at this level with such statistics – I think there were nine shots goal and their expected goals was 0.0 and 0 corners for them.
“Yes we were in total control of the game, this was what I love when you are so dominant and have a really complex performance.”
Rooney was not pleased with the result as it was Plymouth’s fourth consecutive away defeat in the league, and said this after the game:
“They’re a very good team and anything but promotion for Leeds this season would be a failure.”
The comments hinted that Rooney believes his side only lost because they were a team that had the resources to contend for promotion, and not that Daniel Farke totally outclassed him.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Wayne Rooney slammed for Leeds United comment
Credit: Imago Images
His comments sent an uproar through the media who felt the former England international was not being honest about Leeds’ victory.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Dan Bardell hit back at Rooney and told him to focus on his own team:
“Its a needless, snarky comment from Wayne Rooney who should be concentrating on himself.
“When you consider what happened at Birmingham City and how that damaged his reputation, I wouldn’t be coming out and speaking about other managers.
“In terms of the job that Farke is having to do, they came so close last season, I think with the turnover of players and some critical injuries, I don’t think it is a given that Leeds go up.
“I’m surprised to hear Wayne Rooney talking like that”
Wayne Rooney’s comments were obviously from a place of frustration. Plymouth were winless in their last four games, and being battered 3-0 in the first half of a game is enough for any manager to be unhappy.
After Rooney’s comments, Leeds lost the next game to Millwall, where one star player was criticized for his poor performance.
