By kickspoll 
Carlton Palmer believes Wayne Rooney shouldn’t be judged solely on one result after Plymouth Argyle’s 5-0 loss to Cardiff City last weekend. The Pilgrims went 2-0 down before Ibrahim Cissoko was sent off just before half-time, and Cardiff added three more goals in the second half to seal a humiliating defeat for Rooney’s side.
This marks Plymouth’s third defeat in five games, leaving them with 11 points from their opening 10 fixtures. Rooney, under pressure following his troubled stint at Birmingham City, now faces scrutiny after such results.
Palmer, however, has defended Rooney, arguing that judgment should be reserved for a longer period rather than just one game. He suggests Rooney should be assessed over three to four months, not by individual results. Palmer also noted that staying in the Championship would be considered a success for Plymouth this season.
Plymouth currently sits three points clear of the relegation zone, with 11 points after 10 games. Cissoko’s red card means he will miss their upcoming clash against Millwall, a crucial match as Rooney looks to steady the ship.
Rooney’s side has shown encouraging form in their first 10 games, but heavy defeats like the ones to Cardiff and Sheffield Wednesday are concerning. If Rooney can avoid further humiliations and maintain the current points-per-game rate, survival in the Championship is achievable, though he will remain under pressure to improve the team’s consistency.