Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney described the past week as the most challenging of his coaching career.
The Pilgrims suffered heavy defeats, conceding 10 goals in just two matches—losing 6-1 to Norwich City on Tuesday and 4-0 to Bristol City on Saturday.
These results have left Rooney’s team precariously positioned, sitting just two points and one spot above the Championship relegation zone, with a goal difference significantly worse than any other club in the division.
“I’ve been criticised since I was a 16-year-old boy, my whole career,” Rooney said. “What you always want is weapons to fight back with – at the minute we’ve got none.
“So we have to take it on the chin and hope that we get through this, because the last two games arguably have been the toughest and hardest week of my managerial career.
“So I need to find a way to get through it, but also get that message through to the players to make sure I lift them.”
The loss was the fourth time this season that Argyle have conceded four or more goals away from home.
They have the worst away record of any side in the league, having lost eight and drawn two of their 10 matches on the road.
“I know the support the fans have given us, and they’ve come here in numbers and it was the same on Tuesday night,” Rooney added to BBC Radio Devon at Ashton Gate after Argyle’s shortest away trip of the season.
“It was very difficult walking over and not feel embarrassed to show our appreciation to the fans.”
Rooney made six changes to his injury-depleted squad in an effort to address the problems seen against Norwich City.
However, after a goalless first half at Ashton Gate, he believed Plymouth Argyle “completely collapsed” following the opening goal, 12 minutes into the second half. Anis Mehmeti set up Scott Twine for the first goal before scoring twice himself, while Sinclair Armstrong added the final strike to complete the rout.
“It’s at a point now where the players need to understand that they need to give more and they need to show more character, more fight, more desire,” added Rooney, who was appointed as Argyle head coach in May.
“I simplified the game as much as I could for them, to not overcomplicate things, and ultimately it’s my responsibility – I take full responsibility for the result, I pick the team, I pick the tactics.
“But I think the players are at a stage now where they need to hear, not just in the dressing room, but they need to hear it from outside as well, that they have to show more.
“We’ve got a duty to this football club to show a pride, a respect, a passion, a fight for this club and the last two games I feel it hasn’t been there.”