EXCLUSIVE
‘Everyone wants us to go down’ – Wayne Rooney fever piles pressure on Plymouth but Man United legend will be backed
Wayne Rooney will have the full support of Plymouth's fans, even if his arrival bring added scrutiny to the club.
The Green Army are set to be one of the biggest talking points in the EFL after appointing the Manchester United and England legend as their new boss.
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Rooney's managerial career in England hasn't gone the way he would have liked, having struggled through his time with troubled Derby County, before taking charge of Birmingham City last term.
Replacing John Eustace with the club in play-off contention, Rooney lasted just 15 matches at the club after the Blues plummeted down the table, eventually being relegated after Rooney's exit.
Plymouth, however, managed to consolidate their place in the Championship last season following their promotion the season before, with Rooney now in place to help the club kick on.
But while optimism is high at Home Park, comedian and Plymouth fan Josh Widdicombe believes all eyes are on his club for the first time as the new season begins.
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Speaking to talkSPORT on the Hawksbee & Baker show, Widdicombe said: "I think that everyone wants us to go down!
“I clicked on a Championship 2024/25 preview earlier and under relegation candidates it said, ‘all eyes will be on Plymouth as Wayne Rooney starts his latest managerial adventure – Oxford, Cardiff and Portsmouth could struggle too’. That’s all it said!”
Responding to a claim that Plymouth can’t go under the radar with Rooney in charge, Widdicombe said: “I’ve never wanted us to go under the radar.
“I’ve spent 20 years with people not knowing who Plymouth Argyle are and then people know about you and say ‘ah well you’ve got a target on your back now’.
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“I guess a good way to go is to win, but no one notices. I don’t know – is that a good way to live?
“I actually think we’ll finish a very strong 16th and we’ll have a solid season. I think it’ll disappoint because it won’t answer the question either for the people who either want Rooney to be the next England manager, or the next Frank Lampard.”
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Discussing his views on the appointment, Widdicombe said: “Someone people have noted that we’ve got a new manager, which is thrilling and exciting.
“It’s been a really exciting period to be a Plymouth fan, but genuinely, there’s excitement that is an unknowing excitement.
“It’s been a good pre-season – we’ve done really well and signed some good players apparently – but it’s all very positive.”
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Neil Warnock also praised the appointment of Rooney, telling the Sports Breakfast: “Wayne is a good lad.
“At Torquay we played Plymouth last week in a pre-season friendly and there was 6000 fans at Torquay and the Green Army – the Plymouth Argyle fans – came in their numbers, so it was a fantastic atmosphere.
“I think they’ll give him a chance, the Plymouth fans.
“They’re an especially loyal group of fans and the expectations won’t be like a of clubs.
“I think it’s an ideal situation for him.”
Sheffield Wednesday vs Plymouth is live on talkSPORT at 4pm on Sunday 11 August
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