Middlesbrough reaction issued to Rob Edwards, Morgan Whittaker situation - action needs to be taken "for the good of the team" | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has weighed in on the debate surrounding Morgan Whittaker after Saturday's draw with Preston

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Although Middlesbrough remain top of the Championship following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Preston North End at Deepdale, the encounter has seen a major debate follow on from its conclusion.

That is regarding the position of Morgan Whittaker in Rob Edwards' new-look system and team at the Riverside Stadium, with the winger subject to a rather mixed reception from the masses who travelled from the North East for Saturday's entertaining draw in East Lancashire.

Despite the Reds accumulating 13 points from the first 15 available in the second-tier, it has been a somewhat frustrating start to the campaign for the ex-Plymouth Argyle man, which has been the story of his short spell with Middlesbrough after failing to showcase his full talent during Michael Carrick's final weeks and months in charge of the club before he was duly dismissed back in May.

In the two-and-a-half months of his reign thus far, Edwards has overseen a major squad overhaul on Teesside, although the adoption of a new system with three central defenders has allowed Whittaker to remain a constant within his starting lineups.

However, with the addition of Sverre Nypan late in the summer window, it remains to be seen whether the January signing will be relegated to the bench after a strong impact from the new recruit against the Lilywhites.

Rob Edwards urged to make Morgan Whittaker selection call despite mixed reaction to Middlesbrough supporter flashpoints

Speaking to the club's official media post-match after his side had continued their unbeaten streak courtesy of Sontje Hansen's first goal for Middlesbrough, Edwards made his feelings known towards sections of the travelling support who were heard to have sarcastically cheered when Whittaker was replaced by Nypan with 24 minutes of normal time remaining.

“I don’t want to see that response when I’m making a substitution. I don’t like that," he stated.

“We’re a family and if we’re going to achieve something, if we’re going to progress and move forward, then us, the staff, the players and the fans, all of us, we’ve got to be together. Morgan has, from day one of us coming in, been brilliant. He’s been committed and he has worked so, so hard.

“We’ve got to protect him and we’ve got to love him. I don’t want to see that because I don’t think it helps us at all. So, I appreciate the support and I absolutely love our fans. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinions, but whilst we’re in this moment and we’re undefeated and everything feels good, we have to look after our own.

However, Nypan's impact was immediate, as his directness and trickery paved the way for Boro's first equaliser of the contest, with his unpredictable nature causing havoc among the Preston rearguard before Tommy Conway was able to pick out the onrushing Matt Targett who fired home.

With the aforementioned set of circumstances panning out, Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day, believes that Nypan does deserve to start the upcoming clash with West Bromwich Albion, whilst backing Edwards for the way he handled the criticism which came Whittaker's way.

"I think simply for the good of the team, he (Whittaker) needs to go to the bench," Day told FLW.

"He's got talent, I feel like you've seen that in bits. Even in pre-season, during some games. He's just got a bit about him.

"He reminds me of Finn Azaz," he claimed. "He can do something out of nothing. He just needs confidence.

"The sarcastic cheering in the away end, I didn't do that, I didn't think it was right personally. He didn't have a good game, obviously, but there's no need to do that, especially when, as Rob Edwards said, we're on a good run of form.

"I do think Nypan does need to come into the team," Day stated. "He improved us a lot.

"He looked so impressive and I don't really know how we've got him on loan in the Championship to be honest.

"Overall, Whittaker isn't going to be in the best frame of mind, really, especially after that.

"I appreciate Edwards came out and backed him, which was good to see. But, I think Nypan needs to go straight in.

"He improved us, he looked aggressive with the ball, he ran at people and that's exactly what we needed. I think he should start."

Sverre Nypan has staked his claim to start for Middlesbrough

As seen in the Championship and League One in recent seasons, Whittaker is clearly a player full of talent and unpredictability himself.

However, for whatever reason, something clearly isn't clicking just yet for the Derby County academy graduate at Middlesbrough following his initial £5m move from Home Park - which was viewed as a major coup at the time.

The 24-year-old started the first two Championship games with as many assists, but hasn't looked anywhere near as threatening in the three subsequent games, whereas Nypan has certainly thrown his hat in the ring when it comes to earning a starting berth.

The Norwegian has made three substitute cameos under Edwards following his loan switch from the Etihad Stadium, and is already proving why Pep Guardiola invested £12.5m in his services until 2030 earlier in the summer.

The Middlesbrough boss praised Nypan's all-round intensity and desire from an attacking and defensive standpoint against Sheffield United, and would have been extremely pleased by his impact which drew his side level just six minutes after coming on against Preston.