Rooney hoping to break away duck at Cardiff

The last time Argyle returned to action following an international break, they were faced with a daunting set of fixtures.  

Games against Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers beckoned, and the Greens emerged with nine points from a possible 15.  

That was surely considered a successful section of the season, and now another tough run rolls onto the horizon. Starting with Cardiff City on Saturday, there are six games in 22 days, before the final international window of 2024.   

“We've got six games coming up until the next international break, all very tough games in their own right,” said Head Coach Wayne Rooney.  

“We have to be alert, we have to be prepared, we have to have a lot of concentration, a lot of focus, then come into this next batch of games and try to pick up as many points as we can.  

“We know every game in this league is difficult, and we'll be ready for that. Hopefully we can pick up some valuable points. 

“I think we have had some good performances this season and not picked up points from that, or only picked up one point.  

“I think we're playing with a good consistency. You start to see patterns of play, you start to see exactly how you want to play, and we’ve won a few games. I've been really pleased with the players application, how they're taking the information in.” 

Argyle are yet to pick up a victory away from home but go into a week that sees the Greens visit Cardiff and Millwall, with Rooney hopeful the duck can be broken.  

“We've got two away games now, coming up,” he said. “We need to start picking up points away from home, try to get that victory in the next two games.  

“We've had some tough games away from home; played some good teams where we've competed. We've been in the game right to the end, but we just haven't picked up that win.  

“I think we're in a good place. We're very well prepared for the game on Saturday and hopefully we can go on to get positive results.   

“We know what Cardiff are. They're a good team. They've got some good experience in the squad.  

“Set pieces are really key for them - we have to be on our toes on them - and they do try and play. They're trying to play more football than they have probably in the last two or three years. I'm fully expecting a very difficult game.” 

Among the crowd in South Wales is an expected 3,200 travelling supporters, relishing the opportunity of an away game which is one of the more accessible to the Green Army this season.  

“It's amazing,” said Rooney, of the expected away attendance. “At every game, the fan support is incredible. To travel, and spend the money and the time, in the location where we are, it's very difficult, but they keep getting behind us, so we're really grateful for that.”