Wayne Rooney previews Stoke clash

As a teenager coming through the youth ranks at Everton, a young Wayne Rooney looked up to his Academy side’s captain: Steven Schumacher.   

Over 20 years later, and Rooney is the Argyle Head Coach, Schumacher his counterpart from Saturday’s opponents, Stoke City and, for good measure, he just happens to be a successful, recent former Pilgrims boss.  

Schumacher was Argyle manager for just over two years – a relatively short time, perhaps, but it was an era where he stamped his mark on the club. He had stepped up from being Ryan Lowe’s assistant, finished his first part-season just outside the play-offs, and then guided Argyle to the Sky Bet League One title.  

Now, Schumacher is in charge of Stoke City, and while Rooney recognises the significance of his opposite number this weekend, he is keen to elevate the discourse beyond Rooney v Schumacher, to Argyle v Stoke.  

Stoke began with a win over Coventry City, but have lost their last two league games, to Watford and West Bromwich Albion, putting the Potters one point above Argyle at this embryonic stage of the season.  

“We’ve analysed Stoke and they've actually been different in the games that they've played,” said Rooney. “They've done different things. 

“They've pressed high, they've sat low, they've played on transition. They've done different things in all the games, really. I think the most important thing is we focus on what we want to do. We’re at home and we want to take the game to them, to go and try to win it.  

“Schuey has a good history here. Ultimately, we're playing Stoke City. I know Schuey from when I was a young lad growing up, but you take that out of it. It actually hasn't been mentioned.  

“Whatever reception Schuey gets from the fans, I don't know, but we have to focus on the game itself. That's all we can do, to keep our concentration on them.” 

The game at Home Park is the last before a two-week break from fixtures, because of the upcoming international window. Rooney is keen that his side head into the hiatus in good form and spirits, and he says the best way to do that is with a victory built on hard work and fundamentals.  

“It’s great to be back at Home Park, and it’s a very important game for us,” said the Head Coach. “Hopefully we can go into this international break on a really positive result. I’m looking forward to it.  

“It makes it nicer, obviously, if you can go into the international break winning your last game. I think we've built a little bit of momentum; the last two games in the league, I think we've been a little bit unfortunate not to win at least one of them.  

“We end this little run now with Stoke City at home. It's a game we're confident we can win. We have to be at our best, do the right things and have a lot of focus and concentration, but we believe it's a game we can go and win.  

“I want to see energy, commitment: all the basics I talk about every week to the players. We have to see that. We've got some really good players in the squad. We've got some quality players who can change the game and win games of football for us. 

“We want to see all the gritty work, but also you hope that the lads with the quality can go and win you the game.”