Rooney tells Argyle squad 'home truths' after poor form

Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney says his squad gave been told some "home truths" after their recent poor form.

The injury-hit Pilgrims go into Saturday's key home game with Oxford United on the back of a 6-1 loss at Norwich City and a 4-0 defeat away to Bristol City in their last two matches.

The Argyle boss said last week was "the hardest" in his managerial career and felt the club's youth team could have defended better that the first team in the loss at Carrow Road.

"A lot of home truths have been spoken," Rooney told BBC Radio Devon.

"The reaction from the players after the Bristol game has been really good.

"I think it's been an important week for us, and obviously we'll know more from Saturday, but it's been a good week."

The Pilgrims sit 21st in the Championship - one place and two points above the relegation places.

All four of their wins this season have come at Home Park - they have the 11th-best home record in the league but the worst on their travels, having drawn two and lost eight of their 10 road trips.

Rooney hopes his side can bounce back from their recent poor results, and says there has been an open dialogue between himself and the playing staff about how they can improve.

"I'm an open coach who wants the players to have opinions, but I think when we look at the last two games we all had to be honest and there is no way he can sugar coat it," the former England captain added.

"The goals we conceded were nowhere near up to the standards which we I expect and in this club expects.

"The players realised that and we need to stop that because it's been far too easy for teams to score against us.

"It's been a week of real reflecting, some really good meetings, some hard meetings as well, but I hope it benefits us moving forward."