Wayne Rooney’s tenure as Plymouth Argyle manager began on a sour note as his team suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in the opening match of the 2024/25 season.
Surprisingly, despite struggling for a win last season, Sheffield Wednesday managed to secure a commanding victory, largely thanks to the standout performance of Jamal Lowe. Lowe found the net in the first half and was instrumental in bringing about an own goal from Brendan Galloway in the second half. Late goals by Josh Windass and Michael Smith sealed an emphatic win for the Owls at Hillsborough.
This defeat leaves Rooney with significant challenges ahead, as he seeks to turn the fortunes of Argyle around following a disheartening first outing.
Sheffield Wednesday Shines in Season Opener
Sheffield Wednesday dominated the first half, with key contributions from Barry Bannan and Svante Ingelsson leading to the opening goal at the 35-minute mark. Bannan’s precise assist and Ingelsson’s accurate cross set up Lowe perfectly, who calmly converted to give the Owls an early lead.
The second goal came shortly after the break, when Galloway inadvertently headed the ball into his own net from a header by Lowe. Windass then added a third goal in the 83rd minute after a clever play with Anthony Musaba. The scoring was capped off in stoppage time when substitute Smith found the net from close range.
Concerns for Rooney’s Side
The performance raised concerns about Rooney’s strategies, prompting analysts to worry about the implications for Plymouth Argyle this season. Observers noted that the team appeared disorganized and struggled with their midfield shape, being outplayed for much of the match.
Rooney will need to address these issues swiftly as Argyle faces a challenging season ahead.
