Middlesbrough reaction given to Morgan Whittaker ‘dig’ after transfer | OneFootball

FLW’s Boro fan pundit has commented on whether Morgan Whittaker’s exit claim was a dig at the club.

Heading into the elongated international break, Middlesbrough are in a very promising position under Kim Hellberg.

Following their 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last weekend, it leaves the Teesside outfit third in the standings, taking 15 points from their opening eight leagues and only outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference.

Four victories, three draws and just one defeat so far this season mean Boro are likely to be in the promotion hunting pack come the end of this season, aiming to avenge the heartbreak of last term when they lost in the play-off final to Hull City.

And they should have every chance of doing so, particularly after such a strong summer transfer window that has helped Boro be even more potent in the final third.

Meanwhile, speaking of the transfer window, Boro completed a last-gasp switch on the wings that saw Morgan Whittaker depart to MLS outfit Colorado Rapids, allowing the club to bring in talented youngster Amario Cozier-Duberry on a season-long loan from Premier League outfit Brighton.

It was a deal many Boro supporters were pleased to see go through, with Whittaker facing criticism from the fans about his lack of work rate throughout his time at the club.

Whittaker would go on to speak about his departure, with some of his comments sparking a debate over whether it was a dig made at his former employers.

With this in mind, FLW’s Middlesbrough fan pundit has commented on whether he thinks Whittaker’s claims were a dig at the club.

Morgan Whittaker’s controversial Middlesbrough exit claim

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Morgan Whittaker linked up with MLS side Colorado Rapids in a deal worth just under £7.9m - a tidy profit on the reported £5m Boro paid Plymouth Argyle to bring him to the Riverside Stadium.

But speaking to the American club after his move had been completed, Whittaker claimed that he needed a ‘new challenge’ and that he liked ‘being wanted’ by the club, raising questions from Middlesbrough supporters about whether that’s something he didn’t feel when on Teesside way.

In his first interview with Colorado Rapids, Whittaker said: “I think when I heard from the manager, how keen he was to have me, and his playing style.

“It was just that feeling of being wanted. Having a new challenge was really exciting for me too, and I’m just really happy that I chose to come here.

“The MLS has come a long way from when it first started, and I think you see that with the amount of English players that are coming here, and also the amount of American players that are being sold to the UK.

“It shows the league, and it’s level, and also where it’s going. I think it’s a really exciting place to be.

“In my time here, I want to be considered one of the best players to play for the Rapids. As a collective, I want to help the team win as many trophies as possible, and leave a legacy here.”

Morgan Whittaker claim a ‘dig’ aimed at Middlesbrough

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Speaking to Football League World, Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day believes Morgan Whittaker did make a ‘dig’ at Boro in his Colorado Rapids interview, but that the criticism was justified because of his laziness and failure to make an impact in their play-off campaign last term.

Asked whether Whittaker aimed a dig at Middlesbrough, Liam told FLW: “I think there’s obviously a bit of a dig because Boro fans did get on his back at times, but you can understand why we did, as he’s quite lazy.

“Whilst he’s a player who will get you goals and quite a few assists, he’s also a luxury player who won’t do the running that a Cozier-Duberry does. You’re not going to get that from Whittaker, and in a Kim Hellberg system, that’s exactly what you need.

“When you look at the play-off games (last season), you look at who was bad, who was good, Whittaker was awful, and he was quite a big reason as to why we didn’t get promoted in the end, just because of his laziness and the fact he didn’t make an impact from a player who really should have.

“It is probably a dig, I can understand why it is, but I wish him nothing but the best and I think he’ll do well in the MLS.”

Middlesbrough look to have come out on top in Morgan Whittaker saga following Amario Cozier-Duberry early impact

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While Morgan Whittaker’s time at Middlesbrough ended on a sour note, it meant that the club were able to land such a talent in Amario Cozier-Duberry, and it appears to be a tremendous upgrade given the start he’s made to his loan stay.

Shining at Bolton Wanderers in League One last term, Cozier-Duberry is making the step-up to the Championship with ease, netting on his debut against Norwich City before making it two goals in as many games when notching another in a 2-2 draw with Millwall.

Meanwhile, at Birmingham City last weekend, a twisting and turning run in off the right-hand side left the Blues defence bamboozled, allowing him to tee up Max Arfsten to net Boro’s opening goal of the afternoon, meaning the 21-year-old has contributed an attacking contribution in each of his first three games for the club.

If he can keep such a run going, he will go on to be one of the most creative attacking forces in the division, with Boro needing that kind of ammunition if they are to sustain their promotion push.

At the moment, it seems Boro have a Championship livewire on their books that wouldn’t have been possible without the sale of Whittaker.

So while there has been some animosity between the player and supporters, the latter will be delighted his exit has brought about the introduction of Cozier-Duberry, who could well play a vital role in the club ending its decade-long exodus from the Premier League.