Wayne Rooney makes Leeds United comparison ahead of Plymouth Argyle v Portsmouth
Wayne Rooney says Portsmouth possess “a lot of energy” and will contribute to an entertaining contest against his Plymouth Argyle side.
The two teams meet at Home Park on Tuesday night [5 November] with Pompey searching to go one better from the weekend draw at Hull City.
Argyle, on the other hand, have been reeling from a comprehensive defeat by Leeds United [2 November] and sense a chance to return to a positive note, with boss Rooney comparing how Pompey will differ to the Whites.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get back to winning ways. Really looking forward to it,” Rooney claimed in his pre-match press conference [Plymouth Argyle FC on X, 4 November].
“Portsmouth present different qualities to Leeds and other teams. We’re going into it with fresh legs and fresh minds.
“We’re expecting a tough game, they’ve got a lot of energy. Man-to-man, out of possession, they like to get to the ball. It’ll be an entertaining game for sure.”
Portsmouth can overtake Plymouth with win
There have rarely been many opportunities posing themselves to Portsmouth whereby a win can take the side above their opponents, but this is true of Tuesday’s showdown.
Should John Mousinho come out on top against Rooney in Devon, the Blues will leapfrog Argyle on goal difference in the Championship.
A 340-mile round trip to Plymouth constitutes Pompey’s only trip south for a league game this season, and the two sides look to strike up a competitive XI having each been affected by injury issues.
Despite the Blues still propping up the league, some expect them to find a way to remain in the Championship beyond this campaign, having vastly been seen to have underachieved and struggled with early fixtures.
The task is tough, but Tuesday’s game is representative of the kind of matches which could prove defining come May.
In other Portsmouth news, another Championship manager praises the Pompey fans while hinting criticism at his own.
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