Rooney takes positives from loss to Sheffield United

Wayne Rooney has guided Plymouth Argyle to four Championship wins since taking over as head coach in the summer

Plymouth Argyle head coach Wayne Rooney said he has lots of positives to take form his side's 2-0 loss at Championship leaders Sheffield United.

The Pilgrims have still to win away from home this season but had more possession and shots than the Blades.

Rooney felt the performance was a vast improvement on their last two away games that ended in a 6-1 loss at Norwich City and a 4-0 loss at Bristol City.

"It was a better performance I think, that's clear for everyone to see," Rooney told BBC Radio Devon.

"I felt it was a really good reaction to going a goal down and then I felt, as the game was going on, we could potentially get something out of it.

"There's lots of positives for us to look at but also things for us to improve on.

"I always talk to the players about details - passing it to the right foot and what type of cross you are going to put into the box - little things like that we can improve on and if we do that we'll be OK."

Lewis Gibson hit the Sheffield United post while Ryan Hardie, Mustapha Bundu, Rami Al Hajj and Darko Gyabi all forced saves from former Argyle goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

The loss - a fourth in succession for Argyle - came as experienced defender Brendan Galloway made his first start since August after recovering from injury in an unfamiliar role at left-back.

"In recent away games when we've conceded we've caved in really," added Rooney.

"A lot we've been working on with players in meetings, on the training pitch, was about showing resilience.

"I thought Brendan Galloway coming in made a difference.

"We were positive with the selection, brought Rami in, brought Michael Obafemi in, we were positive and we felt with Grimmy (goalkeeper Dan Grimshaw) and the two centre-backs and Rands (Adam Randell), we could control the game and I felt that's how it went.

"But unfortunately from a set-piece, a good finish from the lad, we conceded.

"We kept probing but we couldn't get that equaliser and then they got the second goal late on.

"I thought there were lots of positives from the game, so that's why it's frustrating and we're all disappointed to go away with nothing."