Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards has heaped praise on Morgan Whittaker after the winger finally ended his long wait for a goal in the 2-1 victory over Ipswich Town.
Whittaker joined Boro in January from Plymouth Argyle, where he had built a strong reputation as a prolific attacker. However, replicating that form in Middlesbrough colours had proven challenging. The frustration grew last month when fans ironically cheered his substitution during a draw with Preston North End.
But after 26 appearances, the former England youth international finally found the net — his crucial strike helping Middlesbrough reclaim top spot in the Championship on October 17.
Speaking after the match, Edwards expressed his delight for the player, saying:
“I’m really pleased for Morgan. There’s a lot of expectation on him because he’s such a talented player, and he knows that. What I admire most is that he’s been open and honest about what he’s going through. Everyone faces tough times, and he’s been working through a challenging period in his life. Tonight was his night — he’s worked so hard to get here, and hopefully this is something we can build on.”
The win came after an action-packed contest at the Riverside. An own goal from Cedric Kipre gave Boro the lead before Whittaker doubled their advantage with a composed finish past Alex Palmer. Ipswich’s Dara O’Shea pulled one back late on, but it wasn’t enough to deny the hosts.
Reflecting on the performance, Edwards said:
“It was a great battle — two teams going right at it. Ipswich are a very good side, so I’m extremely proud of our boys tonight. They showed character and played to their strengths.”
Meanwhile, Edwards acknowledged that Ipswich had their moments, including a missed penalty early in the match:
“We can’t have too many complaints about the result. We made some mistakes and didn’t manage key moments well enough. The missed penalty was a big turning point — if they score, the game changes completely. But we stayed strong and deserved the win.”
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