The scrutiny over the future of Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney is only going to intensify after the 2-0 defeat away to Oxford United.

The Pilgrims are bottom of the Championship with only 18 points at the halfway stage of the season and it is now nine games without a win, with the travelling Green Army making their anger and frustration both during and after the final game of 2024 at the Kassam Stadium.

Criticism of Rooney has been building among the supporters for some time after a desperate run of results which is putting the club's status in the second tier of English football in serious jeopardy.

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Rooney was asked by Plymouth Live's Argyle reporter Chris Errington after the defeat by Oxford whether we would consider his position as head coach and he replied: "I think you have to look at every possible outcome. I think that's normal with the results we are going through.

"You have to feel can you turn it around, have you got the players to turn it around, can I turn it around, can the coaches turn it around. That's all stuff we really have to look at."

On the angry reaction of the travelling Green Army, he said: "I get it, I understand it. I have been there myself when I was young. I have been there as a fan and you want to see your team win, you want to see your team running, you want to see them tackling.

"When you are losing games, as we are, that frustration is there. I get it, I don't take it personal. I think for all of us we are trying to do the right things and help us win games. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case over the last few weeks."

Rooney was also asked about whether he had any concerns about the club taking the decision to part company with him. "That's a question for the board. I understand how football works. All I can do is keep trying to work as hard as I can.

"It's difficult, of course it is, but that's part of the game. It's frustrating. We know what we are doing, and the work we are doing is good work. It's something I have already looked at, should we be doing something different in preparation for games.

"Unfortunately, we are not getting the results. For me, I'm not someone whose emotions are high when you win or on the floor when you lose. I try and keep myself balanced.

"It hurts. It's not nice, it's disappointing and we have to keep trying," continued Rooney, whose side have won only once since a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Home Park in early October, at which time they were 14th.

Each of their last five away games have ended in defeats and without them scoring in any of them. Rooney said: "When you are in the position in the league we are in, it hurts. We want to try and get out of it."

Argyle fell behind in the 14th minute against Oxford to a diving header from Ciaron Brown following a cross into the penalty area and Przemyslaw Placheta doubled the U's lead in the 61st minute, after which there was no real sign of a fightback from the visitors.

Rooney said: "I'm not going to stand here and have a go at the players individually or collectively. From my point of view we have come here, we have tried to compete and we have lost the game. Of course, there will be chats with players individually but that's obviously between me and them."

After back-to-back away defeats against Coventry City (4-0) and Oxford, Argyle will return to action at Home Park on New Year's Day when they take on Bristol City.

Rooney added: "I'm a confident person but going through a very difficult moment. Of course that's tough, but I believe in what I do, I believe in how we work as a coaching staff. Hopefully, we can get a result on Wednesday."

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