The frustrating Middlesbrough twist that Plymouth Argyle fans can’t ignore | OneFootball

Morgan Whittaker is finally starting to hit form with Middlesbrough, much to the dismay of Plymouth Argyle fans

Morgan Whittaker has scored three goals in his last three games for Middlesbrough, including the winner against his former side Derby County. With Boro pushing for promotion from the Championship and his former side, Plymouth Argyle, fighting relegation from League One, Pilgrims fans must be looking on with envy.

It hasn't been a happy return to League One thus far for Plymouth Argyle.

After 17 league matches, only Port Vale sit beneath them in the third tier table, with the Pilgrims level on points with Blackpool and Peterborough United, but their worse goal difference puts them in 23rd place.

Upon their relegation from the Championship last season, it was expected by the club that Bosnian head coach Miron Muslic would lead them into the new season, but German second-tier side Schalke turned his head, and he left Home Park, much to the disappointment and surprise of the club and fans.

This left Plymouth scrambling for a new head coach to lead them into the season, when they settled on former Watford boss Tom Cleverley, appointing the 36-year-old as head coach on a three-year deal.

However, the former Manchester United and Everton midfielder has struggled to get to grips with life in Devon, and with the club languishing in the relegation places with genuine worries over a second consecutive relegation, fans will be watching on their record sale, Whittaker, who is flourishing in the upper echelons of the Championship with Middlesbrough in dismay.

Morgan Whittaker signed for Middlesbrough for a potential £7.5 million from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025

24-year-old Whittaker spent much of his youth career with Derby County, progressing through the Rams' youth system all the way to the first team, making 32 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring once and assisting once.

A move to Swansea City in 2021 followed, and he would struggle to nail down a spot in the Welsh outfit's starting 11, heading out on loan to both Lincoln City and Plymouth, the latter of whom he signed for permanently in the summer of 2023 for a then club-record of £1 million.

Whittaker lit up League One whilst on loan with the Pilgrims, helping the club earn promotion to the Championship and securing a permanent switch under former head coach Steven Schumacher, and upon his return to Home Park, he picked up where he left off.

The former England youth international hit 19 goals and grabbed eight assists in 46 Championship games during the 2023/24 campaign, helping keep Plymouth up as their main man, but in January 2025, after showing up late to Argyle's game against Burnley, a potential £7.5 million move to Middlesbrough was sanctioned.

Whittaker linked back up with former Argyle teammate Finn Azaz at The Riverside, with Plymouth fans covering their eyes as they were relegated from the Championship last season.

Morgan Whittaker had a slow start at Middlesbrough, but now looks to have found his feet

Since his arrival on Teesside, Whittaker has struggled, as the English forward went 24 Championship games without netting for Boro, with concerns from fans over the fee they paid for him and about how little he was contributing.

However, Whittaker now has five goals and two assists for Boro this season, including three goals in his last three outings, as he finally looks to have found his feet at the club.

Despite the departure of head coach Rob Edwards to Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, Boro sit in second place in the Championship table after 18 games, with Swedish boss Kim Hellberg now at the helm.

Plymouth fans will be watching Whittaker thriving at the top of the Championship whilst they languish at the bottom of League One with some frustration, to say the least.

Boro stand a real chance of playing Premier League football next season, whilst Plymouth are at real risk of falling into League Two if their form does not improve.

With Whittaker having played his last game for Argyle less than 12 months ago, Middlesbrough's and Plymouth's positions in the EFL go to show how quickly the football landscape can change.