It’s not 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 activities. “I obtained to double figures final season, so I simply wished to do the identical. I have to push myself and attempt to get to fifteen or 20.
“This time last year I was coming to the time where I was about to be recalled, and I was on nine goals and seven assists.
“So quick ahead to now, I might have bitten your hand off to be right here. I am actually pleased with how the season’s going and simply wished to proceed.”
Three objectives already over the festive spell have taken him to 12 for the marketing campaign for Plymouth Argyle, an unimaginable return at this stage for a newly-promoted aspect within the Championship.
It’s 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 house 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 is large for a younger participant to have that belief and that enjoying time.
“I believe that is why I wished to come back again right here a lot, as a result of I knew I might get a constant run of video 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 have been fairly fortunate. Other than Derby, I have been by the ocean with Swansea and Plymouth. I’ve obtained three canine so I like taking them to the seaside.
“So the lifestyle hasn’t changed much from there either.”
His kind hasn’t slowed even after the departure of supervisor Steven Schumacher, who abruptly left for Stoke Metropolis 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.
“However it’s soccer, and he is a very good supervisor, so that you anticipate him to maneuver on. You have simply obtained to get on with it.”
The membership is an remoted one in some ways down on the south coast of Devon. Very completely different to the place Whittaker realized his commerce within the Midlands.
It’s seemingly a giant motive why their house kind is so good – the sixth greatest within the league – and their away kind so poor – they’re nonetheless and not using a win on the highway all season.
Even on Boxing Day, as Whittaker scored twice, Argyle managed to shoot themselves within the foot with an personal objective 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.
“Everybody 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 is a completely different a part of the world. I took with no consideration being at Derby in the course of the nation and each away journey’s not very far.
“I do assume it is going to click on for us in the future. We will not go the entire season not profitable away from house. So I believe once we first get that win, we’ll be high quality from there. It is nearly getting there.
Plymouth are nicely positioned to remain up, an achievement that shouldn’t be underestimated for a newly-promoted aspect – particularly contemplating they’re again at this degree for the primary time since 2009.
Whittaker can also be nicely within the thick of the race for the Golden Boot within the Championship.
However inside the battle and the mid-winter slog, he by no means forgets to precise 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 believe you may generally get an excessive amount of in your head that you must carry out, carry out, carry out, and also you overlook to take pleasure in what you are doing since you’ve labored so onerous 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’s a nice angle to have, and one Plymouth Argyle followers will probably be hoping to see as a lot of for so long as attainable.