Wayne Rooney pinpoints same Plymouth Argyle failing against Stoke City but however…
The Pilgrims had 15 goal attempts during the Championship clash at Home Park but could not convert any of their chances as they lost 1-0
Argyle are 22nd in the Championship, winless and with two points from their first four games, going into the first of four two-week international breaks this term. Rooney said: “The first 15 minutes we didn’t press with enough aggression I felt, and Stoke were trying to play balls in behind. We didn’t deal with them well enough.
“From there , I felt we took control of the game. Second half, I felt it looked like it was going to be who scored. Again, I’m sat here talking about being clinical and being ruthless. If we do that today, I think we win the game.
“We allowed Stoke to still be a threat, especially on transition, second half and they get a goal towards the end. Disappointed with the result but I think there was lots of good things in the game.
“The big thing for us at the minute is we need to be more clinical. It’s the same message I have given the first four games really so that’s frustrating.”
With the game goalless in the 61st minute, summer signings Michael Obafemi and Muhamed Tijani were sent on as substitutes for their home debuts as they replaced Ryan Hardie and Darko Gyabi respectively.
Obafemi led the attack and forced Stoke ‘keeper Viktor Johansson to tip one fierce shot of his over the crossbar, while Tijani had a far post header from an Adam Randell saved as well.
Rooney said: “We wanted to win the game. I felt we had momentum in the second half. Going forward we were getting the ball in really dangerous areas but players need to be in the right positions in the middle of the goal.
“We didn’t get in the middle of the goal enough, but also when we did I felt we snatched at chances rather than having a bit more composure.
“I thought Rands (midfielder Adam Randell) put some really good balls in the box and I don’t think any of our players got anywhere near it, or attacked it aggressively enough. All the stuff in the final third we have to improve because that’s what is letting us down at the minute.”
Rooney continued: “Coming off the back of the Middlesbrough game (when Stoke won 5-0 in a midweek Carabao Cup tie), we knew they would come in with confidence but I think you have to give credit to our lads as well. We nullified them playing their football.
“As I said, they started the first half trying to play more football but after the first 15-20 minutes we pressed them with enough aggression to take that away from them, so I think the game plan was working. I felt if anyone was going to win it was probably us but football can be cruel.
“It’s a good finish from their lad. It’s something we identified, he does that a lot. He cuts in and tries to go near post. We worked with Bali (Mumba) on that and he does everything right really. For a forward, it’s clever play, shooting through the defender’s legs.
“Bali has tried to block it and it goes through his legs and I think Conor (Hazard) maybe was a bit unsighted. Disappointed to concede and to lose the game but I think there was lots of positives in the game.
“It’s just that final third. It’s something we have to really improve. We will go and do a lot of work on that to make sure we get that right.”
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