Plymouth Argyle boss Wayne Rooney has torn into his 'naive' players after conceding an injury-time equaliser in a 3-3 draw against Middlesbrough.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Plymouth drew 3-3 with Middlesbrough
• Rooney's side led three times at Home Park
• Manager tore into players after game

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Table of Contents

  Toggle

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rooney's Plymouth Argyle took the lead three times at Home Park against Middlesborough as Lewis Gibson, Darko Gyabi and Mustapha Bundu scored goals for the Pilgrims. However, Michael Carrick's side hauled themselves level on all three occasions with efforts from Jonny Howson, Hayden Hackney and Emmanuel Latte Lath, the last of whom scored in injury time. Rooney has now ripped into his players' inability to hold the lead on multiple occasions.

Advertisement

• WHAT ROONEY SAID

  Speaking to , Rooney said: "It's frustrating. Reflecting on the game I thought first half we were excellent, both in possession and out of possession.

  "I'm a little bit disappointed we didn't do better for two of the three goals, I think we were a bit naive."

• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Plymouth Argyle are stuck to the bottom of the Championship standings this season and Rooney's future at Home Park is in question. Reacting to the battle to avoid Championship relegation, Rooney added: "It's very tight down there and there's quite a few teams in what is a mini-league.

  "We're bottom of the league but if we keep performing like we have been doing over the last three games I'm certain we will win games soon.

  "I've no problem with that because it's a strange league but it's not where we want to be. My focus is going to be on making sure we're not in that bottom three come he end of he season and we know one game can change that."

• WHAT NEXT FOR PLYMOUTH?

  The Pilgrims will be in action next when they take on Coventry City in the Championship on Thursday, December 26. The Sky Blues are managed by another of Rooney's former England team-mates in Frank Lampard.