Sheffield Wednesday, Watford evidence may leave Plymouth Argyle regretting transfer: View | OneFootball

The former Swansea City man is yet to win Wayne Rooney's trust back after a tough start to life at Home Park

Plymouth Argyle made Nathanael Ogbeta their first signing of the Wayne Rooney era earlier this summer, as the left-back joined after being released from Swansea City.

After Mickel Miller left the club at the end of his contract during the off-season, the Greens needed reinforcements in the wide defensive areas, with Bali Mumba the alternative option on left side.

But with the 24/25 campaign still less than a month old, the decision to bring the former Manchester City man to the club looks to be a puzzling one, with his performances below-par in the first six matches of the season.

Despite showing glimmers of quality when in possession, the defender’s lack of awareness could cost Argyle over the course of the season, with the summer deal already looking like one they may regret.

Sheffield Wednesday horror-show marks slow start to Nathanael Ogbeta’s Plymouth Argyle career

There was much anticipation within the travelling Green Army for the curtain-raiser against Sheffield Wednesday last month, but almost all hope for the season ahead was decimated within 90 minutes at Hillsborough.

The Pilgrims looked like a rabbit in the headlights as the hosts continued to flood forward, with a number of players looking out of sorts as they made their competitive debuts for the club.

Ogbeta was one of those performers who didn’t cover themselves in any glory during the opening weekend, with the 23-year-old lasting less than an hour on the left-side, with Mumba coming on to replace him.

Although he was rarely given any backup in defence from Ibrahim Cissoko, the former Shrewsbury Town man struggled to contain the attacking threats of the Owls, with balls from wide areas allowed into the penalty area time and time again, which ultimately resulted in Jamal Lowe's opener on the day.

After such a lacklustre start to life in a green shirt, it was no surprise to see the defender taken out of the starting lineup for the following weekend’s clash with Hull City, and he has rarely been seen in league action since.

QPR, Watford displays will have done nothing to tempt Wayne Rooney into Nathanael Ogbeta recall

Since that display in Yorkshire, Ogbeta has played just three minutes of league football since, with his late arrival helping to see out a battling point against Queens Park Rangers, with Argyle finishing the match with nine men due to Adam Forshaw and Freddie Issaka seeing red.

A full 90 minutes in Carabao Cup action against Watford followed in midweek, but once again the defender was found wanting against Championship opposition, as the Hornets emerged as 2-0 victors over Rooney's (pictured) side.

While he can look a threat in possession with his boundless energy, the ex-Peterborough United loanee has been consistently caught in possession whenever he crosses the halfway line, with promising positions spoiled in an instant due to his dallying with the ball at his feet.

When you are a side who are already considered to be strugglers for the season ahead, the last thing you need is a player who is consistently lacking in positional awareness, leaving opposition continually making ground down their right flank.

With Brendan Galloway also being preferred as an option on the left side when Argyle are looking to sure up their defence, Ogbeta’s playing minutes already look like they will be limited this season, with his lack of Championship quality apparent from the get-go