summer rebuild

Wayne Rooney has ‘an idea’ about who will face Sheffield Wednesday for Plymouth Argyle

31/07/2024 Raymond 0

Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney isn’t entirely certain of the starting eleven that will face Sheffield Wednesday, but he does have a general idea of how the team will shape up. The Owls will meet the Pilgrims on August 11th at Hillsborough, marking the ninth encounter between the teams since early 2021. This matchup has become a familiar battle in recent years.

However, the upcoming clash will feature changes, with Wayne Rooney now leading Plymouth and Danny Röhl having conducted a summer rebuild at Sheffield Wednesday. This means the teams will look quite different compared to their last encounter in March, when the Owls secured a 1-0 victory at Hillsborough. For Rooney, this game will be his first official match as Plymouth’s manager following his appointment in May. He emphasizes the importance of players proving themselves in training sessions to earn a spot in the lineup.

Philippe Clement in loaded Rangers barb after having Ibrox wool pulled over his eyes

14/07/2024 Raymond 0

Philippe Clement was defiant as Rangers’ season concluded disappointingly last campaign. After taking over in October, the Belgian manager initially sparked a resurgence at Ibrox, but the underperforming squad reverted to form in the final stretch. With the title within reach, Rangers struggled with mounting injuries, Dundee’s poor pitch conditions, and the challenge of grinding out results. A psychological barrier against eventual champions Celtic also proved detrimental.

Despite Clement’s talk of a significant rebuild over the summer bringing fresh optimism, recent comments have dampened that hope. Following a midweek friendly against Standard Liege, Clement expressed frustration over the summer transfer activity, citing the departure of five experienced first-team players and managing expectations for youthful additions Hamza Igamane and Clinton Nsiala, who are not expected to start.

Rangers fans, already anxious due to a perceived lack of transfer activity and the chaos surrounding the rebuild of the Copland Stand, found little reassurance in Clement’s remarks. After a 2-1 friendly defeat to Ajax, Clement further unsettled fans by stating that sales would be necessary before new signings could be made and hinted at being misled about the situation at Ibrox before taking the job. This growing frustration has only exacerbated the disconnect between the fans and the increasingly chaotic club.