Wayne Rooney admitted he lost his voice ranting at his Birmingham players at half-time – but it seemed to work as they beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at St Andrew’s for his first win since taking charge.
Rooney collected his first win as Birmingham manager at the sixth time of asking against the Sky Bet Championship’s bottom club.
Substitute Jordan James’s grabbed the 82nd-minute winner after Juninho Bacuna’s equaliser cancelled out George Byers’s opener.
Victory was Rooney’s first win in English football since April last year when his Derby side won 2-0 at Blackpool, while new Wednesday boss Danny Rohl has now lost five of his first six games.
Byers tapped home on 44 minutes after Josh Windass’s superb curling free-kick hit the post, but Bacuna equalised within four minutes with a half-volley from 22 yards after Wednesday failed to clear Koji Miyoshi’s corner.
James was Blues’ matchwinner just four minutes after replacing Bacuna, rounding goalkeeper Cameron Dawson to tap home after his first shot had been blocked from Jay Stansfield’s cross.
City risked a fans backlash if they had gone in trailing after a lacklustre first-half performance before Bacuna’ equaliser, but Rooney says he was equally frustrated.
“We can’t get caught up with the fans’ reaction – everyone has opinions and we don’t want to go in 1-0 down but when you’re on the pitch you’ve got to keep your focus and concentration,” said Rooney.
“Forget the fans – my reaction at half-time wasn’t good to the players – that’s why my voice has gone!
“We didn’t play with the energy I wanted us to play with in the first half and I made the players aware of that but in the second half we were a lot better.
“I wasn’t very pleased with the first half. I thought Sheffield Wednesday pressed really well without the ball but we have to show more composure on the ball because we were too happy to go back to John Ruddy and allow him to make decisions.
“I’ve seen an improvement week by week so if that first half was four weeks ago, I could have understood it, but it was unrecognisable to what we’ve been doing during the international break.”
Defeat left Wednesday 10 points from the safety line and former Germany assistant coach Rohl insisted his side deserved more.
“There are reasons why we’re at the bottom of the table, but when I see the improvement of my team and how hard they’re working, they deserved to go in at half-time with a lead of maybe two or three nil,” said Rohl.
“I could push the (rewind) button from five of the last six games. We deserved more. There has just been the one game against Rotherham where we took the points but today we showed nearly what we can do in this league.
“I don’t think we played like a team at the bottom, but we played like a team in the middle of the table.
“It’s hard, but I have a clear idea of what I want to do. It wasn’t enough to take something and it was disappointing when you get this team playing at such a high level and don’t get something.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Who remembers this shirt? Since Arteta played for Arsenal Maresca: Do you want something good? Man Utd and Hojlund Paul Pogba will sign for Monaco until 2027, reports Fabrizio Romano POGBACK 10 years ago, Liverpool signed Firmino. Eight years later, he left a legend Lionel Messi turns 38 The man who's won it all has got a new gift on his mind right now... Chel...
Chelsea are reportedly hopeful of reaching an agreement over a £45m transfer deal for Borussia Dortmund left winger Jamie Gittens.The 20-year-old has shown himself to be an exciting young talent with his performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League in recent times.Chelsea are now seemingly ready to make a third bid for Gittens as they hope to get the deal done for around £45m,...
Man Utd are reportedly on the brink of offloading Jadon Sancho with the help of a former manager.Jadon Sancho is reportedly nearing Fenerbahce.Jadon Sancho has reached an agreement on personal terms with Fenerbahce in a significant step towards a Manchester United exit, according to reports. The 25-year-old is claimed to be nearing a permanent departure, spelling the end of a failed £73millio...
Liverpool have made a centre-back signing their next priority in the transfer market.Liverpool are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace captain Marc GuehiLiverpool reportedly have other centre-backs on their radar despite being heavily linked with Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. The Reds have an established partnership between Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the centre of their defence, but a ...
Marcus Rashford is likely to leave Manchester United this summer.Marcus Rashford's dream move is reportedly to BarcelonaMarcus Rashford’s dream move to Barcelona FC could be back on with the La Liga club reportedly exploring a loan move for the Manchester United outcast. A move to Catalonia is widely reported to be Rashford’s preferred destination following his temporary spell at Aston...
Newcastle to smash wage structure to make Isak highest-paid player everPer The Times, Newcastle are determined to retain Alexander Isak's services beyond this summer and the officials are set to initiate talks with the player over a new and improved contract, which could potentially fend off interest from the Gunners and Reds. The Magpies are ready to offer a salary beyond £150,000 a week, wh...
Alexander IsakNewcastle United are set to offer a new lucrative contract to Alexander Isak that will make the striker the club's highest-paid player ever.WHAT HAPPENED?Isak had a terrific outing for the Magpies in the 2024-25 campaign as he scored 23 league goals and helped the club secure a Champions League slot. He also played a key role in Eddie Howe's side ending the club's trophy drought with...
Marcus Rashford Man Utd Barcelona 2025Barcelona are keen on a loan deal for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford as they weigh up a permanent move for Nico Williams.WHAT HAPPENED?The reigning La Liga champions are keen to add to their attacking options this summer, with a move for Rashford now back on the table, as first reported by The Sun. The club's unhealthy financial situation means a lo...
Chelsea making new offer for Borussia Dortmund winger GittensChelsea are closing on an agreement with Borussia Dortmund for winger Jamie Gittens.The England U21 international saw a move to Chelsea collapse on the Club World Cup transfer deadline day, leaving the youngster frustrated.However, the move now appears to be back on, with claims an agreement is close to being struck.The Athletic says Che...
Real Madrid set 377M price tag for Rodrygo as Arsenal deal draws closerArsenal have targeted Real Madrid star Rodrygo this summer but will have to pay a hefty price tag to secure his services.The 24-year-old has been linked with a lucrative move to the Gunners this summer after he felt like he was underappreciated in a side that includes some of the best players in the world, including Kylian Mbap...
- 1 Gareth Bale set to buy former PL club
- 2 'He felt honored' - Marcelo Gallardo confirms he approached Cristiano Ronaldo about playing for River Plate at the Club World Cup
- 3 Samson Tijani: Nigeria star joins Dukla Prague from RB Salzburg
- 4 Diletta Leotta sizzles in tiny bikini on inflatable flamingo
- 5 Seattle Sounders vs PSG Prediction 24 June 2025
- 6 Ex-Ajax star Promes extradited to Netherlands to serve jail term
- 7 Real Madrid reveal target as Zubimendi joins Arsenal
- 8 Neymar flaunts 'candy floss' pink outfit that costs more than a family car
- 9 Liverpool cult hero waves goodbye as transfer is confirmed: It’s been an absolute honour
- 10 Marcus Rashford to Barcelona is back ON! La Liga champions ready to sanction loan deal for Man Utd outcast amid Nico Williams pursuit