The traditional Boxing Day match is not only played in the Premier League. Also in the Championship, the second category of English football. And many eyes on Thursday were on Coventry-Plymouth because of the rivalry on the benches that brought together two famous names: Frank Lampard against Wayne Rooney. The two former allies face each other.
The fight is colorless. Coventry beat Plymouth 4-0 on a Boxing Day to forget for Rooney, whose team remain in last place in the standings, with just 18 points from 22 games, after suffering a fifth defeat in the last six rounds. 3-3 at home to Middlesbrough prevented last month’s run from being completely disastrous.
Plymouth’s problem is that they fight to the point of being the worst away team in the three divisions that make up the English Football League below the elitist Premier League: two draws in twelve games, with only three goals for and 33 matches.
In these twelve games, Plymouth have scored at least four goals in five. Despite these poor records, he is just two points away from becoming permanent and Rooney still believes he is the right coach to correct the course.
“I know how football works, I’m not stupid, we have to get results,” said the legendary former striker of Everton and Manchester United and, with 53 goals, English team’s greatest historical scorer, where he is captain, until Harry Kane surpasses his record in 2023.
“The biggest disappointment for me all season is that we look like two different teams at home and away,” lamented Rooney, who He came to the Plymouth bench in May. “So is there a psychological problem? It’s something we’re looking at. I’m sure fans have questions, I’m sure there are many people out there, and I’ll do my best to answer them as best I can.”
The winter market, key
Injuries, especially in attack, have not helped Plymouth either and Rooney believes that getting signings himself in the winter market will be key for the team’s future.
For Lampard, former coach of Derby County, Chelsea and Everton, Things were not going to get any better for him. On 29 November, he took charge of Coventry, who are in 17th place out of 24 teams and currently 15th after three wins, one draw and two defeats in his six games in charge. The Plymouth defeat was their best result.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
