Morgan Whittaker on eager to be like Neymar, his goals with Plymouth Argyle and Steven Schumacher’s departure from the membership. Watch Southampton vs Plymouth Argyle dwell on Sky Sports Football from 5.30pm on Friday night time; Kick-off 6pm.

It shouldn’t be even 2024 but and Morgan Whittaker has already achieved his targets for the season at Plymouth Argyle.

“I wanted to just get to double figures,” the 22-year-old tells Sky Sports. “I got to double figures last season, so I just wanted to do the same. I need to push myself and try to get to 15 or 20.

“This time final yr I used to be coming to the time the place I used to be about to be recalled, and I used to be on 9 objectives and 7 assists.

“So fast forward to now, I would have bitten your hand off to be here. I’m really happy with how the season’s going and just wanted to continue.”

Three objectives already over the festive spell have taken him to 12 for the marketing campaign for Plymouth Argyle, an unbelievable return at this stage for a newly-promoted facet within the Championship.

It is why returning to the place he spent the primary half of final season on mortgage in League One made a lot sense.

Whittaker feels at dwelling in Devon.

“It was a no-brainer really,” he says. “As soon as the opportunity was there, I knew I had to take it.

“It’s huge for a younger participant to have that belief and that enjoying time.

“I think that’s why I wanted to come back here so much, because I knew I’d get a consistent run of games.

“It’s a really good group of players and it’s a good dressing room to be in off the pitch as well.

“I’ve been fairly fortunate. Apart from Derby, I’ve been by the ocean with Swansea and Plymouth. I’ve received three canines so I like taking them to the seaside.

“So the lifestyle hasn’t changed much from there either.”

His type hasn’t slowed even after the departure of supervisor Steven Schumacher, who abruptly left for Stoke City earlier than the festive run began.

Whittaker admits he was unhappy to see him go, however is aware of that soccer strikes quick and there’s no time to dwell.

“There was obviously disappointment there because he was a really good gaffer, especially for me, putting the trust in me and the faith in me,” admits Whittaker.

“He helped me so much in my career and given me the platform to perform.

“But it is soccer, and he is a very good supervisor, so that you anticipate him to maneuver on. You’ve simply received to get on with it.”

The club is an isolated one in many ways down on the south coast of Devon. Very different to where Whittaker learned his trade in the Midlands.

It is likely a big reason why their home form is so good – the sixth best in the league – and their away form so poor – they are still without a win on the road all season.

Even on Boxing Day, as Whittaker scored twice, Argyle managed to shoot themselves in the foot with an own goal in a 2-2 draw at Cardiff.

“I haven’t got an answer to why it is, really,” admits Whittaker. “It may be because we know we’re so good at home, so we go into the games with a little less fear with the crowd behind us.

“Everyone within the membership and the neighborhood is so collectively. I’ve not been at a spot prefer it earlier than the place the followers are so along with the group and vice versa.

“They’re coming to see good football and we’re putting on good performances, so they’re enjoying it.

“It’s a distinct a part of the world. I took without any consideration being at Derby in the midst of the nation and each away journey’s not very far.

“I do think it’s going to click for us one day. We can’t go the whole season not winning away from home. So I think when we first get that win, we’ll be fine from there. It’s just about getting there.

Plymouth are properly positioned to remain up, an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated for a newly-promoted facet – particularly contemplating they’re again at this degree for the primary time since 2009.

Whittaker can also be properly within the thick of the race for the Golden Boot within the Championship.

But inside the battle and the mid-winter slog, he by no means forgets to specific and luxuriate in himself on the pitch – like his childhood hero Neymar.

“Since I can remember, he’s been the main one that I’ve always wanted to be like and play like,” Whittaker says.

“He just shows so much freedom playing and he’s just a really good person to watch.

“I feel you possibly can generally get an excessive amount of in your head that it’s important to carry out, carry out, carry out, and also you neglect to get pleasure from what you are doing since you’ve labored so exhausting to get to this second.

“You have to enjoy it instead of putting so much pressure on yourself to do well and be the best. You need to enjoy yourself as well.”

It is a superb perspective to have, and one Plymouth Argyle followers can be hoping to see as a lot of for so long as potential.