Plymouth Argyle: Miron Muslic rant may hint at plans for Burnley, Middlesbrough target | OneFootball

The new Pilgrims boss laid into his side after the weekend's performance, and could have big consequences within the squad

Morgan Whittaker is once again a man in demand during this transfer window, with Burnley and Middlesbrough both said to have tabled bids for the Plymouth Argyle star.

The Clarets returned with a second bid for the 24-year-old earlier this week, while Boro were also said to have put their money on the table with a £5 million offer, which Football League World exclusively revealed was set to be turned away by the Pilgrims.

With a little over a week remaining until the transfer deadline, the two Championship clubs are likely to revisit the deal before February 3, with the Greens said to be holding out for an offer closer to their £10 million valuation of the left-footed wizard.

While the thoughts may be that the Devon outfit need to do all they can to keep hold of a man who can produce something out of nothing, Miron Muslic’s latest comments may change that view, with the Austrian unhappy with what he has seen since taking over at Home Park.

Miron Muslic fumes over Plymouth Argyle defeat to Queens Park Rangers

Muslic was furious with what he saw from his new side in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers, with Argyle struggling to lay a glove on Marti Cifuentes’ side in front of their own fans.

One shot on target throughout the 90 minutes at Home Park tells its own story in terms of how lacklustre the Pilgrims were going forward, with a front line of Whittaker, Ryan Hardie, Michael Baidoo and Rami Al Hajj failing to create anything in the final third.

The former Cercle Brugge didn’t pull any punches in his post-match debrief following the defeat, with his ire clear for all to see.

"We were far away from deserving anything today," he told the club’s official website.

"The message to the team was that we have to realise the situation we are in - and we are in this situation together. The only way out of this is to compete, to challenge, to win duels and to show that we can be physical.

"Today we lacked that. It was a much-deserved victory for QPR, and that hurts.

"I said at half-time, if you want to have a chance to get out of this game and to earn something, we need to be competitive in duels first. It's not about tactics, it's not about style of play, it's not about the system - it's about the desire to win a duel and we lacked that today.

"Right now, we are on the ground. The only possibility, and the only way to get up, is we have to do this collectively as a team, as Argyle. We have to take our own responsibilities, every single one of us. Then, we can be competitive, and then we have a chance to reach the goal we have - to stay up."

Since then, the Argyle boss has opened up on impending transfers, with reinforcements needed if the Pilgrims are going to stand any chance of keeping themselves in the division this season.

"We are looking for some reinforcement. We will need this to strengthen up our squad." He told Plymouth Live, "It's busy for all the clubs and right now it's very hectic, but I think we are on a good way to support this current squad with new players.

"It's not only about getting the players in, it's about supporting this current squad, and they need this. Argyle was very clear to me over the last 10, 12 days that they are pushing and preparing the necessary support for the team. I think in the next couple of days we will have some players here.

"I know the time is ticking because the schedule is heavy but it's about finding the right personality and the right character. Players who realise the urgent situation we are in, ready to come here to fight, to support, and to find a way out. If we can manage to do this we have a chance to stay up."

Morgan Whittaker exit could pave the way for new Plymouth Argyle arrivals

With Muslic stating his demands in terms of what he expects from his players, and any incoming transfers to the club, the writing could well be on the wall for Whittaker, if a club decides to meet the asking price for the forward.

The forward has had a massive drop-off compared to last season, and if there is someone prepared to fork out an eight-figure fee this winter, Argyle - with their sustainable transfer model - would willingly invest this money back into the squad to try and save their skin for a second consecutive season.

With players thin on the ground as it is, a figure in the region of £10 million would help to bring some extra quality into the squad, especially in the attacking areas, with the Pilgrims struggling to field a fully fit striker for the past month or so.

After all the happy memories the former Swansea City man has given Janners over the past couple of years, it would be hard to wave goodbye to Whittaker, but with funds to spend and a fresh feeling around the squad, it could be what Argyle need to give themselves more hope of staying in the second tier this season.