Rooney on important Portsmouth win

Argyle’s win over Portsmouth on Tuesday night at Home Park was a victory for substance over style.  

The two sides, who each began the night in the relegation zone, hardly played out a classic live on Sky Sports Football, but the longer the match progressed, the better Argyle got, and in the end Michael Obafemi’s late strike was enough to claim a fourth home win in the last five for Wayne Rooney’s Greens.  

Obafemi was one of three second-half subs, following Callum Wright and Mustapha Bundu onto the pitch. The trio made an impact, as did Rooney’s half-time shake up, encouraging his team to play more directly against a Portsmouth side who seemed to have Argyle’s number in the first half when it came to pressing high up the field.  

However, the visitors visibly tired, and by the time Obafemi struck, Argyle had swung the momentum of the game.  

“It wasn’t our greatest performance, to say the least, but tonight was all about the result,” said Rooney.  

“I said to the players before the game: Whatever happens, we have to make sure we come off the pitch with three points after our recent run of form, so I’m delighted for the lads because they stuck in there today. They worked extremely hard to get the win and thankfully we've done that. 

“Tonight was a bit more basic than some of the performances we've had here at Home Park, but it’s just as effective with us getting the three points. 

“I thought we tried to play too much in the first half. We knew Portsmouth were going to come and press us. They've done that in all their games. If we play with a tempo and we play quick enough, you can get through that press - and we weren't playing quick enough.   

“I was trying to get messages on to the lads to be more direct, land on second balls and so I was happy to get in at half-time and I could change that up. Andre did a good job competing, and then obviously Michael comes on and you're hoping he uses his energy, his speed, his power and gets you something out of the game. Thankfully, he's done that.  

“He's done really well [for the goal]. He used his body well. I'm sure Portsmouth will be disappointed with the defending, but he's done all the hard stuff in getting the opportunity to get a strike off and it's a really good finish. I'm delighted for him.  

“I thought the lads who came on did really well. I thought Callum gave us a bit of composure and held on to the ball really well, and Moose gave us a bit more of a presence on the pitch. The lads who come on really did make an impact.  

“I think it has to give us a bit more confidence. Especially in the first half, I thought the lads looked a little bit nervous tonight, so we had to figure a way to come away with the three points, and we've done that.” 

Argyle are back in action on Saturday, away at Derby County, and will be anxious to find their first win on the road this season.  

Rooney said: “It’s a very difficult game on Saturday, against a good Derby County team, very similar to Portsmouth actually, in how they want to go and press the ball. 

“Hopefully we can turn our form around away from home and go into the international break with a positive result.”