What Argyle needs this summer

Wayne Rooney has a big task ahead of him as the new Plymouth Argyle manager.

A strong summer will be key to success at Home Park for Rooney and with that in mind, here are the things that could happen to put him firmly on cloud nine.

Michael Cooper extends his contract

Academy graduate and goalkeeper Michael Cooper looks likely to play a key role under Rooney, assuming he can keep him in Devon.

The 24-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since being given the starting role, to the point that he is surely on the radar of bigger clubs.

Cooper has the strongest possible connection with the Home Park faithful as he is a product of the academy. Injuries have hampered his playing time in the last year or two but he has bounced back from this in an impressive manner.

Cooper is back to his best in between the sticks and can be a hugely influential figure for Rooney, who clearly recognises that as reports suggest that the new boss is desperate to get him tied down to a new deal.

He is now entering the final year of his contract so it is now and never for Argyle – selling him for a sizable fee is the only justification they can have for letting him leave, but improving his terms and penning a new deal is the ideal outcome.

Whittaker's current deal runs until 2027 so losing him on a free isn't a current dilemma, yet offering him a new and improved contract already might be the best course of action to keep him on board.

Both him and Cooper continuing to play for Argyle would be a major plus but there are also others that could be targeted by clubs higher up the Championship if the powers that be aren’t careful.

Stalwart defender Lewis Gibson enjoyed a hugely impressive debut season for the club and another of Argyle’s own, in the form of Adam Randell, has an upward trajectory that can take him to great heights.

Bali Mumba experienced a mixed run of form so he is one of the big names at Argyle that is less likely to attract attention but he also has the chance to be a real difference-maker in 2024/25.

A Ryan Hardie backup is signed

Scoring goals as a team beyond the influence of Whittaker and Ryan Hardie proved difficult in the second half of last season.

Losing Finn Azaz meant that Argyle also lost a certain amount of impetus and even though Callum Wright and Alfie Devine were able to make the odd contribution, it was never the same.

Adding a player in that Azaz-mould would be ideal for Rooney but perhaps even more important is signing a forward to compliment Hardie.

Only two of the Scotsman’s 16 goal contributions in the league came from February onwards and Ben Waine would be best suited to a loan move, which leaves Mustapha Bundu as the only suitable backup.

Bundu is a solid player and is adored by the fans but someone with Championship know-how who can contribute in the region of 10 goals would help Argyle take a big step towards safety

The final and in some ways, the most important event in the early stages of Rooney’s time on the south coast, involves both him and the fanbase.

Ian Foster showed the England icon exactly what not to do when it comes to building a strong relationship with the squad and the supporters.

Rooney needs to keep the hugely dedicated Argyle fans on board if he is to have any chance of surviving in the job. His appointment may not be the ideal one in many people’s eyes, but he now has a chance to prove them wrong and win them over.

The Source and Contributor Jamie Rooke

HIS FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM

Having been brought up a West Ham fan and then selfishly converting to Arsenal, Jamie is now a passionate Plymouth Argyle supporter.

That first trip to Home Park for a 2-1 defeat to Oxford had him hooked and being able to follow his local club has been the ultimate experience, knowing this is the club for him no matter what.

FAVORITE PLAYER
Graham Carey is the obvious answer here given just how effective he was on the ball in an Argyle shirt.

That being said, diminutive, tricky winger Craig Tanner who joined twice on loan from Reading is the player for whom Jamie has the fondest memories. From Scotland to non-league, he still keeps track of Tanner's career to this day.