Wayne Rooney wants Plymouth Argyle to make most of Home Park advantage

Wayne Rooney has declared he wants to see his Plymouth Argyle side make it as difficult as possible for opposition sides to play at Home Park.

Rooney believes the onus is on his players to produce the performances that allow the Green Army to create a hostile atmosphere which the Pilgrims can take advantage of.

Argyle played at Home Park for the first time under Rooney when they beat Cheltenham Town 3-0 in the Carabao Cup first round on Wednesday night, but they can expect a much sterner test against visiting Hull City tomorrow as they play their second Championship match of the campaign after losing 4-0 at Sheffield Wednesday last Sunday.

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The Pilgrims' home form over recent seasons has been particularly strong as they have risen from League Two into the Championship, and Rooney has stated it is 'very important' that continues to be the case.

He said: "I think for teams coming to Home Park it's our duty really to make it as hostile and difficult as possible for them to come and play here. We are used to the travel to away games and other teams are maybe not as used to that, so we have to take advantage of that.

"We have to create an atmosphere here which when teams come here they feel it, a sort of intimidation to the opposition. That's on the players to create that energy to allow the fans to do that so we all have a part to play in that, to try to make it as difficult as possible for teams to come here."

There was a 12,000 crowd against Cheltenham which was an excellent figure for a Carabao Cup first round tie, but a sold-out attendance of close to 17,000 is expected for the visit of Hull.

Rooney said: "I think Saturday will be a bit different. It's the first home league game of the season. I'm excited and ready for the atmosphere. We need to make sure we allow the fans to keep that atmosphere and keep that energy within the stadium because I think that will be important for us, not just for Saturday but for the rest of the season."

Midfielder Jordan Houghton could be part of the Argyle squad for the first time this term against Hull after missing the opening two games due to a knee issue. Rooney said: "Jordan is available. He done part of the session yesterday (Thursday) and trained today. I'm delighted to have him back and ready to play.

"It's always difficult when you are picking a team and what you don't want as a coach is your starting 11 to be easy to pick. You want hard decisions because that means the players are performing well and they are training well.

"That's what I have had this morning with the squad. I have gone with what I feel is the best team to beat Hull, and players who I feel deserve to play but also from a tactical point of view what we feel is the best way to try to get three points."

Freddie Issaka, the 18-year-old exciting attacking prospect, is pushing for a full league debut after his impressive performance when he started against Cheltenham.

Rooney said: "It's always tough with young players. The fans are obviously right behind him and want to see him every minute of every game. We all do, we all want to see that, but I think at times you need to protect them as well.

"Freddie Issaka will be a regular starter for Plymouth Argyle and I think he's going to be a superstar, but the timing of when he gets that has to be right. At some point over the next few months he's going to be a regular player for us, we just have to get him there. I think that's the next step now."

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