Morgan Whittaker interview: Plymouth Argyle forward on his childhood hero Neymar and his aims for the season | Football News

It will not be even 2024 but and Morgan Whittaker has already achieved his targets for the season at Plymouth Argyle.

“I wanted to just get to double figures,” the 22-year-old tells Sky Sports. “I bought to double figures final season, so I simply wished to do the similar. I have to push myself and attempt to get to fifteen or 20.

“This time last year I was coming to the time where I was about to be recalled, and I was on nine goals and seven assists.

“So quick forward to now, I might have bitten your hand off to be right here. I’m actually pleased with how the season’s going and simply wished to proceed.”

Friday twenty ninth December 5:30pm


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Three objectives already over the festive spell have taken him to 12 for the marketing campaign for Plymouth Argyle, an unimaginable return at this stage for a newly-promoted aspect in the Championship.

It is why returning to the place he spent the first half of final season on mortgage in League One made a lot sense.

Whittaker feels at residence in Devon.

“It was a no-brainer really,” he says. “As soon as the opportunity was there, I knew I had to take it.

“It’s large for a younger participant to have that belief and that taking part in time.

“I think that’s why I wanted to come back here so much, because I knew I’d get a consistent run of games.

“It’s a very good group of gamers and it is a good dressing room to be in off the pitch as effectively.

“I’ve been quite lucky. Apart from Derby, I’ve been by the sea with Swansea and Plymouth. I’ve got three dogs so I love taking them to the beach.

“So the life-style hasn’t modified a lot from there both.”

His form hasn’t slowed even after the departure of manager Steven Schumacher, who abruptly left for Stoke City before the festive run started.

Whittaker admits he was sad to see him go, but knows that football moves fast and there is no time to dwell.

“There was clearly disappointment there as a result of he was a very good gaffer, particularly for me, placing the belief in me and the religion in me,” admits Whittaker.

“He helped me so much in my career and given me the platform to perform.

“But it is soccer, and he is a very good supervisor, so that you anticipate him to maneuver on. You’ve simply bought to get on with it.”

The membership is an remoted one in some ways down on the south coast of Devon. Very completely different to the place Whittaker discovered his commerce in the Midlands.

It is probably going a giant purpose why their residence kind is so good – the sixth finest in the league – and their away kind so poor – they’re nonetheless with out a win on the highway all season.

Even on Boxing Day, as Whittaker scored twice, Argyle managed to shoot themselves in the foot with an personal purpose in a 2-2 draw at Cardiff.

“I haven’t got an answer to why it is, really,” admits Whittaker. “It may be because we know we’re so good at home, so we go into the games with a little less fear with the crowd behind us.

“Everyone in the membership and the neighborhood is so collectively. I’ve not been at a spot prefer it earlier than the place the followers are so along with the staff and vice versa.

“They’re coming to see good football and we’re putting on good performances, so they’re enjoying it.

“It’s a unique a part of the world. I took for granted being at Derby in the center of the nation and each away journey’s not very far.

“I do assume it will click on for us at some point. We cannot go the complete season not profitable away from residence. So I believe once we first get that win, we’ll be wonderful from there. It’s nearly getting there.

Plymouth are effectively positioned to remain up, an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated for a newly-promoted aspect – particularly contemplating they’re again at this stage for the first time since 2009.

Whittaker can be effectively in the thick of the race for the Golden Boot in the Championship.

But inside the battle and the mid-winter slog, he by no means forgets to specific and get pleasure from himself on the pitch – like his childhood hero Neymar.

“Since I can remember, he’s been the main one that I’ve always wanted to be like and play like,” Whittaker says.

“He just shows so much freedom playing and he’s just a really good person to watch.

“I believe you may typically get an excessive amount of in your head that it’s a must to carry out, carry out, carry out, and you overlook to get pleasure from what you are doing since you’ve labored so arduous to get to this second.

“You have to enjoy it instead of putting so much pressure on yourself to do well and be the best. You need to enjoy yourself as well.”

It is a superb angle to have, and one Plymouth Argyle followers will likely be hoping to see as a lot of for so long as potential.