Morgan Whittaker, a standout for Plymouth Argyle, continues to play a significant part in the Pilgrims’ assault, Neil Dewsnip says despite his decline in goal scoring.

Whittaker, a forward, was instrumental in keeping Plymouth Argyle in the Championship the previous season.

In his first season of consistent activity in the second division, he returned with 19 goals and nine assists, carrying the goal-scoring load. Though Whittaker received recognition as the driving force behind the survival attempt, Ryan Hardie also made a significant contribution with a return of his own

His slower start to the current campaign has therefore taken some by surprise. There have only been two goals in nine games, the most recent of which gave the Pilgrims a dramatic victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Neil Dewsnip, the football director for Plymouth Argyle, is adamant that this isn’t a negative thing.

The new interim manager said to Plymouth Live that although Whittaker is still an important component of the attack, he doesn’t have to bear as much of the load because of the Pilgrims’ increased offensive threat. He may not be able to contribute as frequently, but it appears that this has given him more opportunities to find the back of the net.

He plays a significant role in our ability to attack. The director of Plymouth Argyle stated that the threat still exists.

“I believe that because more people are aware of Morgan’s abilities, things have gotten harder for him. I believe that when Finn [Azaz] left in January, his supplies somewhat—not entirely, but somewhat—ran out, making it difficult for him to accomplish his objectives.

This year, I think we have more possibilities for attacking. Morgan is a component of our offensive strength; however, he is not the only one, and Ryan Hardie would probably have some thoughts on it from last season.

Therefore, we are quite happy that Morgan is still with us. He once again shown us how valuable he is.

Sharing responsibilities

As beneficial as it is to having a genuine talisman on file, relying too much on them carries a significant amount of risk.

With Whittaker and Hardie accounting for the great bulk of Plymouth Argyle’s goals last season, the team nearly suffered as a result. The former Derby County player was typically tasked with pulling the team out of the mud.

Dewsnip is right to draw attention to the Pilgrims’ broader offensive threat. It was evidently a priority during the summer, as multiple players were willing to contribute.

While Michael Obafemi will be eager to recover his form, Ibrahim Cissoko has been a huge hit. Although he may need some time to adjust, Andre Grey is a dangerous goal scorer at this level, and Rami Al-Hajj can also provide support from midfield.

Looking forward

When the Plymouth Argyle players return to action this weekend against Cardiff City, Whittaker and his colleagues will be looking to keep up their momentum.

With the Bluebirds still without a manager and surrounded by instability, it’s a wonderful opportunity for Argyle to secure a victory on the road.

Over the next few weeks, the Pilgrims hope to make up for their performances, which have perhaps merited more than the 11 points they have earned from their first nine games.