Wayne Rooney: Plymouth Argyle did not deserve Sheffield United defeat

Wayne Rooney thought there were lots of positives for Plymouth Argyle to take even though they lost 2-0 away to table-topping Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

The Pilgrims' boss was pleased with the reaction of his players to falling behind in the 19th minute after a Gustavo Hamer strike for the Blades. Rooney has seen his side suffer several heavy defeats on the road this season but that never looked likely to happen again this time.

Argyle went on to have more of the possession, goals attempts and shots on target during the game, and created a few excellent chances, but they could not get themselves back on level terms, and United wrapped up their win with an 88th minute penalty from Kieffer Moore.

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Rooney said: "We are disappointed with the result. I didn't feel we deserved to lose the game but that's what Sheffield United are, they are a very efficient team, good in both boxes, and that's what they have done again today.

"I thought a lot of our play was good. We controlled the game for large portions of it and then missed opportunities where I feel we can do a little bit better. Performance-wise was good but the result very disappointing."

It is now four consecutive Championship defeats for Argyle, but they stayed off the bottom of the table after Hull City lost 2-1 away to Coventry City earlier on Saturday. Rooney will hope his side can now build on their improved away-day display against United.

Rooney said: "It was a better performance, I think that's clear for everyone to see. I thought it was a really good reaction to going a goal down.

"I felt as the game was going on we could potentially get something out of it, and then it opened up a little bit towards the end and Sheffield United broke and got a penalty, and then the game was done then really.

"From our point of view I think there were lots of positives for us to look at but also things for us to improve on. I always talk to the players about details - passing it to the right foot, what type of cross you put into the box, little things like that. If we can do that, we will be okay."

Midfielder Darko Gyabi had Argyle's best chance to equalise when he fired wide in the 35th minute when the goal was at his mercy after the ball was played inside to him by Brendan Galloway.

Rooney said: "We had some good opportunities. Darko had a really good one first half. Lewis Gibson hits the post, and there was a great save from Michael Cooper from Ryan Hardie.

"We were probing, we were getting into really good areas, it was just that last bit. I think we can create more chances and if we create more chances we obviously have a better chance of scoring. There's lots of positive from the game but ultimately we go away disappointed."

Rooney continued: "There has been good performances throughout the season, but we have had some really bad performances and results away from home and we can't accept that.

"I think the Swansea game in midweek (the 2-1 defeat at Home Park) was a better performance. I thought we were the better team and we lose that game. Today, I thought we were the better team and we lose this game. We need to start turning performances into results.

"From where we have been, the run we have been on, the last two games have been certainly better performance-wise. We have got a week now to work with the players getting ready for another tough game next week (against Middlesbrough at Home Park on Saturday)."

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