Plymouth Argyle's director of football, Neil Dewsnip, has reaffirmed the club's support for head coach Wayne Rooney despite a challenging period in the Championship.
The former England captain’s side has endured a tough spell, conceding 10 goals in their last two matches—a 6-1 defeat at Norwich City followed by a 4-0 loss at Bristol City. With injuries piling up, the Pilgrims sit precariously, just one place and two points above the relegation zone.
"He's driven to turn the ship around," Dewsnip told BBC Radio Devon. "We're all behind him, fighting alongside him, and hopefully, we can turn that into a good performance and a winning performance on Saturday."
Key Clash Ahead
Argyle, with just one win in their past nine matches, host fellow strugglers Oxford United this weekend. The newly promoted side sits one point above Plymouth, making it a crucial game in the battle to avoid relegation.
Dewsnip emphasized the importance of perspective, noting the challenges of competing in the Championship, a division packed with big clubs and financial heavyweights.
Championship Realities
Plymouth’s Home Park, with a capacity of under 17,500, is the third smallest in the league. Unlike many rivals, Argyle do not benefit from Premier League parachute payments.
"We compete in the Championship, which I think is the fifth-biggest league in the world," Dewsnip said. "Over the last few years, we've come from League Two to where we are. We've earned the right to be here, and we want to stay.
"Our aim this year is the same as last—to secure survival. We'd love to be safe with at least four games to go, but we must remember the scale of the challenge we're up against."
Fighting Spirit
Last season, Plymouth survived by a single point, securing safety on the final day with a vital win over Hull City. Dewsnip remains optimistic about the team’s ability to meet this year’s target.
"We're in a league with massive clubs, some of which are effectively Premier League sides," he said. "We're competing in the lower half of that, and we know it’s a massive challenge.
"But it’s one we relish, one we understand, and one we succeeded in last year. We’re determined to succeed again this year."