Issaka Responds to Rooney Warning

In what was Argyle’s latest pre-season run-out at Torquay United, the 18-year-old put in an eye-catching display as the Pilgrims won 2-0 at Plainmoor.

Ryan Hardie fired the visitors in front from the penalty spot early in the second half, before Bali Mumba added a second to ensure the Greens maintained their unbeaten pre-season form.

Issaka, though, was the man to catch the eye, producing an energetic display against the Gulls, who are now managed by former Argyle favourite Paul Wotton.

The Cornishman featured for an hour before he was one of ten pre-planned changes made by Rooney, who admitted post-game that he had spoken strongly to the player about the standards he demands.

His response since, however, has been impressive, putting in decent performances against Torquay and Cheltenham the week previous.

“Freddie had a tough first week of pre-season,” admitted Rooney. “I told him that. We have standards we want to get to - and first week it was tough for him. His reaction since to that has been fantastic.

“I thought he did really well last week when he come on at Cheltenham and he’s done well again today, so I’m really pleased with him.”

Rooney has told his entire squad that everyone will get their chance to impress during pre-season - and those that perform will be given their opportunity in their Sky Bet Championship opener away to Sheffield Wednesday.

“How I’ve worked as manager in previous clubs is if the players are doing well and they deserve to play, they are the ones who will play. There’s an opportunity now over the next couple of week for all the players, not just Freddie.”

Argyle were never in danger against Torquay, but a stop-start first half, which included a number of medical incidents in the home stand, meant it was difficult for either side to get any flow into their game.

“It was a strange first half with the game being stop-start,” added Rooney. “I hope everyone who had issues are okay and healthy. It was tough to get a tempo and a rhythm into the game. In the second half, I thought we came out really right, the tempo was a lot quicker, moving the ball with one and two touch, making it very difficult for Torquay.

“We got the two goals up and then I made the changes. After that, I thought we were a little bit sloppy in the last 20 minutes. We weren’t taking up the positions I wanted us to. We were sloppy with simple passes, which is something I have been talking to the players about, especially their concentration levels.

“Sometimes when you feel the game is maybe a little bit too easy for you, you lose concentration and focus and I thought that was the case today. Overall, I’m pleased with the minutes for the players and another win.”

Argyle continue their build-up to the new season with a pre-season trip to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening.

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