Fans during the EFL Sky Bet League 1 match between Plymouth Argyle and Bolton Wanderers at Home Park, Plymouth, England on 27 August 2022.
England’s former top scorer – who took over as Argyle head coach in May – saw his side struggle to create chances as the hosts eased to victory.
Having dominated the first half Wednesday took a deserved lead into the break as debutant Jamal Lowe finished off a cross from close range following some excellent build-up play.
Jamal Lowe set up the Owls’ second as he headed Djeidi Gassama’s cross against Brendan Galloway for an own goal as the hosts continued to control the game.
Josh Windass added a third goal with a powerful strike from six yards after Anthony Musaba had pulled the ball back from the byeline.
Substitute Michael Smith completed the rout in the sixth minute of stoppage time when he converted a cross from close range.
Danny Rohl’s side could easily have scored two or three more times as Argyle failed to register a meaningful effort on target.
Wednesday started strongly as they controlled the early possession and Svante Ingelsson forced a good early save from Conor Hazard, who was preferred in the Argyle goal to Michael Cooper amid speculation he will leave the Pilgrims.
Plymouth took 16 minutes to have a meaningful entry into the Wednesday penalty area – despite Rooney setting up with two wingers and two strikers – when Ibrahim Cissoko had a cross blocked.
And that formation allowed Wednesday to take advantage of the gaps left in central midfield as Barry Bannan and Windass began to dictate the game and dominate the ball – they had almost two thirds of the first-half possession.
Argyle’s Victor Palsson had to hack away a dangerous 27th-minute cross from impressive debutant Yan Valery while Jamal Lowe had a shot blocked soon after.
