By David Williams
Former Swansea City striker Morgan Whittaker insists he doesn’t need the ancient Roman piazzas when he’s got the precincts of Plymouth.
At least not yet.
The Pilgrims striker plundered his 17th goal of the season – the only goal of the game at the home of his former club – to underline why Lazio made an £8m bid for the Championship’s top scorer three days before deadline day.
It could have been “La Dolce Vita” in Rome, but Plymouth turned the offer down in the belief Whittaker’s value will continue to rise.
“My head was never going to be turned,” said the 23-year-old after returning to mock his former club’s decision to sell him for just £1m eight months ago.
“I’m really happy here at the moment, so it was a no-brainer for me to stay and kick on.
“I’m happy and what I’ve learned in football is that happiness is everything.
“I have finally got that at the moment, so I don’t want to give it up. I was fine with the club not wanting to sell me.
“It’s amazing to think that a club like Lazio was in for me, but I’ve got to use it to kick on, keep playing with confidence, and not let it stress me out.”
https://twitter.com/elliot_massey/status/1753845081298108550?s=20
Whittaker spent 18 months with the Swans, but made only five league starts amid rumours of a questionable attitude.
But he’s now scored nine goals in his last 10 games and there are likely to be a queue of clubs keen to sign him in the summer.
After giving Argyle their first away win of the season against the club who let him go, he added: “When you are in bed the night before, thinking about the game, this was the perfect scenario.
“I’m grateful it happened like this, but it was more important that we just got the win.
“I didn’t need to prove anything. I just needed to play my normal game.”
Swansea’s top scorer is Jerry Yates with six goals, but he and others missed a collective hatful and the sliding Swans have now lost four on the bounce.
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It leaves them just five points above the relegation zone.
“I don’t like the look of the table, but we need to concentrate on playing well,” said head coach Luke Williams, who is still looking for his first league win.
“There will be no sulking or feeling sorry for myself.”
Williams handed Ronald a full debut, while the Brazilian’s fellow new signings Charles Sagoe Jr and Przemyslaw Placheta made their Swansea bows off the bench.
All three made positive contributions, with Ronald proving particularly eye-catching with his pace and trickery causing Plymouth numerous problems.
“Ronald put a lot of crosses in and that’s what I want. He stretched the pitch and created space for other players,” said Williams.
“I don’t think he could have done much more today, and I think he deserved to have at least one assist.
“I thought Przemyslaw looked really quick. When he came on, we started to get crosses in off the left because of his presence.
“I thought it was harder for Ollie (Cooper) to find the space and deliver because that’s not a natural position for him.
“So we got crosses off from both sides in the second half. I really wanted us to bring that in in the window.
“With Charles Jr we can see that he’s a young guy, he needed a bit more time probably, but he’s made a good first impression.”
Possibly the most predictable event of year that Morgan Whittaker would score for Plymouth. Being at another game don’t know if he celebrated, but wouldn’t blame him in the slightest if he did. Aside from not celebrating being a silly convention, he owes @SwansOfficial nothing
— Huw Richards (@huwrichards3) February 3, 2024
