Wayne Rooney will be hoping for repeat of significant Plymouth Argyle, Hull City moment: View | OneFootball

The Pilgrims saved their season by the skin of their teeth the last time they faced the Tigers

Highlights

It’s safe to say that Wayne Rooney wouldn’t have imagined himself to already be the ridicule of the division after just one match in charge of Plymouth Argyle.

The former Birmingham City boss started life in charge of the Pilgrims in the worst possible manner on Sunday, as his new side went down 4-0 against Sheffield Wednesday in a humiliating defeat in Yorkshire.

But as is the way of the football season, the Greens have the perfect opportunity to put things right this weekend, with Tim Walter’s Hull City making the journey from Humberside to Home Park.

The return of the Tigers to Devon will conjure memories of just a matter of months ago for the Green Army, and the Argyle faithful will hope they will see a repeat of their final day heroics from the previous campaign on Saturday.

Plymouth Argyle end up in relegation battle after Steven Schumacher departure

After a start to the season that promised so much, Argyle were left gripping onto Championship status into the last 90 minutes of the 23/24 campaign, with four clubs trying to avoid the drop with one game to go.

With Birmingham City a point behind them in the bottom three, the Pilgrims knew a win would secure them another season in the second tier, and in the end they needed it, with the Blues picking up all three points at home to Norwich City.

After the dream start to life back in the highest rung of the EFL, many of a green persuasion wouldn’t have imagined they would be having their nerves jangled as the seconds wound down come May, with Steven Schumacher carrying on the momentum that saw them rack up 101 points in the 22/23 League One campaign.

But after catching the eye with his swashbuckling football on the south coast, the boss left for Stoke City, while loan stars Finn Azaz, Luke Cundle and Kaine Kesler-Hayden all went back to their parent clubs, and the lights slowly started to go out at the Pilgrims’ party.

Ian Foster’s ill-fated spell in charge didn’t help matters, with the former England youth coach turning the mood sour in Devon, with three wins in 14 league matches seeing them start to circle the drain as the season went on.

A late resurgence under the guidance of Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell helped steer the Greens towards safety in the final few matches of the campaign, before their all-or-nothing clash with the Tigers beckoned in May.

Joe Edwards creates Pilgrim pandemonium with Hull City heroics

The tension was palpable at Home Park just three months ago, as Argyle’s future hung by a thread, knowing they needed the performance of a lifetime to keep their side in the division.

This was a side that had pulled a rabbit out of the hat just weeks before with a 1-0 victory over eventual title-winners Leicester City, and they needed another piece of magic once again, as the Janners collectively held their breath.

When the cards are down, you need someone to step up to the plate, and that’s exactly what Captain Fantastic Joe Edwards [pictured] did five minutes before the break, as he leapt highest to reach a cross, and bundle in a header to put the Greens in front.

The relief around Home Park was released in one gargantuan roar, as the pain and struggle of the previous five months finally looked to be put behind them, with survival still very much in their own hands.

The following 50 minutes were near-on torture for the following Green Army, as every block, every clearance, every tackle was celebrated ferociously, as the lead was defended with every sinew that they had.

Survival was secured, and the new era of Plymouth Argyle could begin, with Rooney appointed a matter of weeks later, and preparations for another season in the Championship began.

With the Tigers coming to town again this Saturday, that final day fiasco will still be in the minds of many of the Green Army in attendance, with that being the last time they stepped foot in the Theatre of Greens for a league game.

With the Devonport end in full voice and in support of their team, there is no reason why the Pilgrims can’t make their home a cauldron of noise once again this weekend, with the new cohort of players wanting to get a win under their belts as soon as possible.