Swans boss Williams' 'respect' for Rooney before Plymouth test

Wayne Rooney won five Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and three League Cups as a player at Manchester United

Luke Williams says he has "zero doubts" over Wayne Rooney's managerial qualities as Swansea City prepare to face struggling Plymouth Argyle.

Premier League legend Rooney is under pressure to turn Plymouth's form around after the Pilgrims slipped into the Championship relegation places.

Argyle have won just once in nine matches and have conceded 10 goals in their last two games, having been thrashed at Bristol City and Norwich City.

But Swansea boss Williams says is an admirer of former Manchester United and England striker Rooney.

"There's nothing that anyone can teach him about football," Williams said.

"I think that when he walks into any changing room, any set of players will respect him instantly and quite rightly - and so will I.

"I have absolutely zero doubts about his ability to manage a football club. I look forward to meeting him."

Plymouth have had plenty of time to prepare for Swansea's visit, after Saturday's home game against Oxford United was postponed due to Storm Darragh.

The Devon club have not played since a 4-0 defeat at Ashton Gate on 30 November, which left Rooney "embarrassed" after what he described as his hardest week in management.

"No manager on the planet is capable of just making any group successful on their own, however good the manager is," Williams added.

"A manager needs plenty of people around him and plenty of things to help him be successful, and Wayne Rooney is no different."

Swansea head to Home Park in confident mood despite winning only one of their last five games.

The Welsh side felt they should have taken all three points from Saturday's draw at Luton Town, as had been the case following the 2-2 draw with Portsmouth the previous weekend.

While Plymouth are in need of victory, Williams is well aware that they have lost only once at home this season.

"I have been down there a number of times and the fanbase is incredible, the ground is always very full and they make a lot of noise," he said.

"You know you are in a game and if you allow the fans into it, they will really compound that and let you know you are in for a game.

"We have to control the game as much as we can and we have to be resilient and tough, because they are going to be fighting for everything and will have the support they need."

Swansea's visit will be Plymouth's first game since Rooney tweaked his coaching staff, with former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan joining the club as assistant head coach after the departure of Pete Shuttleworth.