Fortress” – Morgan Whittaker speaks out after huge Plymouth Argyle win for Wayne Rooney’s side
After saving Plymouth Argyle from defeat the weekend with a stoppage-time header that put the Greens up three points in the most dramatic fashion, forward Morgan Whittaker was eager to highlight the impact of the Home Park crowd. As the seconds passed, he arrived in the penalty area to meet Adam Randell’s header back into the danger zone, then nodded in to send the Green Army into a frenzy and start the most joyous of celebrations throughout Home Park.
Joe Rankin-Costello’s header sailed over Daniel Grimshaw to square the score, and the visitors were behind after 15 minutes when Michael Obafemi’s goal struck the back of the net. It appeared as though the Pilgrims had thrown away three points earlier.
But in front of their own supporters, Whittaker’s game-winning moment gave Argyle their third consecutive win. The former Swansea City player highlighted on social media the significance of home advantage in the 24/25 campaign.
Morgan Whittaker makes Home Park claim after Blackburn Rovers winner
After helping the Pilgrims score their first goal, Whittaker once again showed why he was Johnny on the Spot as he glanced in the winning goal on Saturday.
His brilliantly drilled pass released Ibrahim Cissoko, setting up the opening goal of the afternoon. The Dutch winger sent the ball over to Obafemi, who scored his first goal for the team since signing on loan from Burnley in the summer.
Then, Argyle had numerous opportunities to extend their lead. Mustapha Bundu, Joe Edwards, and Cissoko all saw their efforts denied by the custodian and the woodwork, until Rankin-Costello delivered a sucker punch in the final minutes.
In most other grounds the wind may have been taking from the sails of the home crowd, but there is almost a sense of expectancy at Home Park in the dying moments these days, and as the pressure continued to mount, Whittaker made the most of his moment to secure a third win of the season for Wayne Rooney’s side.
| Morgan Whittaker 24/25 Championship stats (FotMob) | ||||
| Appearances | 9 | |||
| Starts | 9 | |||
| Goals | 2 | |||
| Assists | 0 | |||
The attacker said that Argyle is proving to be a tough test for many of the best clubs in the division when they travel to the south west when posting on Instagram to celebrate the win.
The 23-year-old declared, “We won big today.” Home Park is starting to resemble a fort.
Blackburn Rovers victory continues Plymouth Argyle’s home winning streak
Rovers’ defeat means that Argyle have now defeated three teams that were expected to finish in the top half of the Championship in recent weeks, despite Home Park’s early reputation as a trap for numerous teams.
This season, Hull City has only returned to Humberside with a point from their second-round match, a 1-1 draw, with Stoke City being the only team to triumph from their trip to the Theatre of Greens.
However, following the Potters outcome, Rooney [shown] has turned things around, sending Sunderland packing first. Joe Edwards’ late winner was the highlight of the day, and last month, Luton Town was shown off in front of the TV cameras.
Argyle will fancy their chances against everyone who stands in their way at Home Park this season, since John Eustace’s team is the most recent to return home empty-handed. Their home form will probably be crucial to their success in the months to come.
