Wayne Rooney: The Plymouth boss reacted after some fans called for the axe

Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney said he did not take the criticism “personally” after his Pilgrims suffered another disappointing Championship defeat.

Rooney’s Argyle sit bottom of the table, four points from safety, and have failed to win any of their last nine games, losing six of them.

The pressure is building on the former Manchester United and England forward after visiting fans booed him and his players following a 2-0 loss to Oxford on Sunday.

“I think the criticism is normal with the results we’ve had,” Rooney told BBC Radio Devon.

“You have to feel that you can turn it around. I will go back, watch the game again, evaluate the game and prepare for Bristol (City).

“I understand (the fans’ reaction), I was there myself when I was young and I was there as a fan when you wanted to see your team win.

“When you lose games as we lost this one, that frustration is there for me to take it and I don’t take it personally.”

Plymouth have lost four of their last five games under Rooney and during Sunday’s defeat some traveling Argyle supporters chanted for him to be sacked.

The former England captain was appointed Plymouth head coach in May, replacing Ian Foster, who was sacked after poor results.

The Pilgrims have won just four games in the Championship this season, drawn six, lost 13 and conceded 51 times in the league.

When asked if he felt secure in his role as boss, Rooney dismissed the question.

“That’s a question for the board,” Rooney said. “I understand how football works so all I can do is keep trying to work as hard as I can.

“For all of us, we’re trying to do the right things and help us win games – unfortunately that hasn’t happened in the last few weeks.”

Plymouth next host Bristol City on 1 January.