By Gareth James
Morgan Whittaker proved a point at Swansea City by helping Plymouth take all three away from home for the first time this season.
The former Swans striker also showed why Plymouth were prepared to turn down a £8m bid from Lazio two days before the end of the transfer window.
Whittaker – who left the Swans in a £1million move in July last year – scored a sublime 18th minute goal in a 1-0 Plymouth win that proved the difference between two mid-table clubs travelling in different directions.
The 23-year-old clipped the ball first-time from the edge of the box in a moment of quality the Swans were unable to match as they missed a hatful of chances.
It was Whittaker’s 17th goal of the season and his ninth in 10 games – statistics that underline why Europe’s top clubs are keen to land him.
“I have worked with Morgan in the England pathway, so I know what he is capable of,” said Plymouth manager Ian Foster.
“I took him and his partner for breakfast on Wednesday, the day after the club turned down a bid for him from Lazio.
“It was just to see how he is and see what we can do to help him and keep him focussed on his game.”
Morgan Whittaker only started 5 league games in 2 and a half years at Swansea.
They sold him to Plymouth for £1 million in the summer and he’s scored 16 goals this season…
Now including against… Swansea
pic.twitter.com/5RQTQIlS7V— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) February 4, 2024
Swans boss Luke Williams was left frustrated as Jerry Yates and Jamie Paterson both missed great chances to level – both set up by impressive Brazilian new boy, Ronald.
The defeat means the sinking Swansea have now lost four games on the bounce and Williams is still looking for his first league win since taking charge.
“I am frustrated that we didn’t turn really good actions into goals,” said Williams.
“When you create 19 chances and at least four of them are in the six-yard box, there’s not an excuse to not win the game.
“What is it that’s wrong with those chances? For me, nothing. It’s just concentration, finish the action correctly and we’ll win the game of football.
“The goal we conceded, we lose concentration again from a long ball forward. Whittaker hits the shot that leads to the corner. Then, from the corner we switch off, the player gets blocked and it’s a good strike.
“It’s unfair that he (Ronald) doesn’t have at least one assist. We tried to make it clear what his role is.
Ronald Martins Plymouth:
Minutes Played: 77′
Most Big chances created: 2
Most Chances created: 3
Most Dribbles completed: 3
Most tackles won: 4/4
Expected assists (x.A): 0.56
Most Ground duels: 10
Most overall duels: 12
Accurate crosses: 2Viva Brazil!⭐️ pic.twitter.com/biznl4akAv
— SwanseaHQ (@HqSwansea) February 3, 2024
“We have had a few guys to interpret on the training pitch and I am really happy because he didn’t try to do his own thing or show off.
“He just tried to play in the game I asked him to play it – so much energy, so many runs in behind. So many players don’t want to do that because it’s hard, you have to keep sprinting and then you have to provide for someone else.
“I want him to feed the striker. I am happy with him.
“I don’t like that (relegation situation), of course I don’t like that. We need to concentrate on trying to play really well.
“If we can create 19 chances every week and create openings in the six-yard box, we’d have to be a very unlucky team to suffer more.
“We have some tough fixtures but that’s the job. There’s no sulking or feeling sorry for myself.”
Liam Cullen struck the bar late on, but Swansea lacked accuracy in front of goal and missed several good chances.
After Swansea’s Ben Cabango had spurned an early chance by lashing a shot high and wide from the edge of the six-yard box, Whittaker gave early indications of his threat.
The deep-lying striker’s opening gambit was thwarted when Nathan Wood blocked a shot, before Whittaker tested Carl Rushworth with a stinging volley the Swansea keeper just about managed to tip over.
From the corner, Plymouth fashioned a goal. Adam Forshaw started the move and then found Whittaker with a pass which the striker clipped nonchalantly, first-time, low into the corner from the edge of the box.
