It isn’t even 2024 but and Morgan Whittaker has already achieved his objectives for the season at Plymouth Argyle.
“I simply wished to get in double figures,” the 22-year-old says. Sky Sports activities. “I doubled my numbers final season, so I simply wished to do the identical. I must push myself and attempt to get to fifteen or 20.”
“This time final yr, I received to the time the place I used to be about to be known as up, and I had 9 objectives and 7 assists.
“So, I might chunk your hand off to be right here. I am actually proud of the best way the season goes and I simply wished to maintain going.”
Three objectives already over the festive interval took his tally to 12 objectives for the Plymouth Argyle season, a powerful return at this stage for a facet newly promoted to the Championship.
That is why a return 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 actually,” he says. “As soon as the chance offered itself, I knew I needed to take it.
“It is enormous for a younger participant to have that confidence and enjoying time.
“I believe that is why I wished to return again right here a lot, as a result of I knew I used to be going to have a constant run of video games.
“It is a actually good group of gamers and it is a good dressing room to be in off the sphere as nicely.
“I have been very fortunate. Other than Derby, I have been at sea with Swansea and Plymouth. I’ve three canines so I really like taking them to the seaside.”
“So the life-style hasn’t modified a lot since then both.”
His kind didn’t decelerate even after the departure of supervisor Steven Schumacher, who abruptly departed for Stoke Metropolis earlier than the beginning of the festive race.
Whittaker admits he was unhappy to see him go, however he is aware of soccer strikes quick and there isn’t any time to consider it.
“Clearly there was disappointment as a result of he was a very good coach, particularly for me, placing the belief in me,” Whittaker admits.
“He helped me lots in my profession and gave me the chance to carry out.
“Nevertheless it’s soccer, and he is a very good coach, so that you anticipate him to maneuver on. You simply must get on with it.”
The membership is in some ways an remoted membership on the south coast of Devon. Very totally different from the place Whittaker discovered his commerce within the Midlands.
That is in all probability an enormous cause why their dwelling kind has been so good – sixth finest within the league – and their away kind has been so poor – they’re nonetheless with out a win on the highway all season.
Even on Boxing Day, with Whittaker scoring twice, Argyle managed to place the ball on the foot with an personal objective throughout a 2-2 draw with Cardiff.
“I haven’t got a solution for the true cause behind that,” Whittaker admits. “Possibly it is as a result of we all know we’re so good at dwelling, so we go into video games with rather less concern with the followers behind us.
“Everybody within the membership and the group is collectively. I’ve by no means been in a spot like this the place the followers are along with the workforce and vice versa.”
“They arrive to observe good soccer and we placed on good performances, in order that they get pleasure from it.
“It is a totally different a part of the world. I took without any consideration being in Derby in the course of the nation and each journey away is not that distant.
“I believe it is going to be proper for us someday. We will not go the entire season with out profitable away from dwelling. So I believe after we get that win for the primary time, we’ll be OK from there. It is only a matter of getting there.”
Plymouth are nicely positioned to remain on the prime, an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated for a newly promoted workforce – particularly contemplating they’re again at that degree for the primary time since 2009.
Whittaker can also be within the midst of the race for the match’s Golden Boot.
However via the battle and the agony of mid-winter, he by no means forgets to precise himself and have enjoyable on the pitch – like his childhood hero Neymar.
“For so long as I can bear in mind, he was the primary participant I at all times wished to be like and play like,” Whittaker says.
“He exhibits numerous freedom within the sport and is a very good man to observe.
“I believe generally you will get so hung up on 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 arduous to get to this second.
“It’s a must to get pleasure from it as an alternative of placing numerous stress on your self to do nicely and be the most effective. It’s a must to get pleasure from your self too.”
It is an awesome place to have, and one Plymouth Argyle fan will probably be hoping to see as a lot of him as attainable for so long as attainable.