ROB EDWARDS launched a passionate defence of Morgan Whittaker after Middlesbrough fans ironically cheered the decision to sub him at Preston.
The attacker, 24, has struggled at the Riverside since his £5million arrival from in January.
Morgan Whittaker is yet to get off the mark for Middlesbrough
Rob Edwards fiercely defended his player after the ironic cheers at Preston
Whittaker is yet to open his account on Teesside but has two assists to his name this term for the table-toppers.
The star was replaced by Sverre Nypan at Deepdale on Saturday on 66 minutes with his side trailing and the sub scored the first equaliser in the pulsating 2-2 draw.
But after Sonte Hansen kept their unbeaten run intact, had a message for a section of the 5,500-strong travelling support’s reaction to his withdrawal in his official interview with Boro’s X account .
The ex-Luton chief said: “The fans were incredible and we thank them for their support. I do have to say one thing though. I don’t want to see that response when I’m making a substitution. I don’t like that.
“We’re a family and if we’re going to achieve something, if we’re going to progress and move forward, then us, the staff, the players and the fans, all of us, we’ve got to be together.”
Whittaker has started all of ’s six games this term in all competitions and his manager says the under-fire ace’s commitment cannot be questioned.
He added: “Morgan has, from day one of us coming in, been brilliant. He’s been committed and he has worked so, so hard.
“We’ve got to protect him and we’ve got to love him. I don’t want to see that because I don’t think it helps us at all.
“So, I appreciate the support and I absolutely love our fans. I understand that everyone is entitled to their opinions, but whilst we’re in this moment and we’re undefeated and everything feels good, we have to look after our own.
“He loves playing for this football club and he is giving everything at the moment. I’ve got to stress that. We protect our own and we look after our own.”
Whittaker came under fire back in January when former Plymouth head coach Miron Muslic claimed he “didn’t show up” to face Burnley due to transfer speculation ahead of his Boro move.
Whittaker hit back at those accusations and stated that it had been a mutual agreement that he would not be selected due to his imminent exit to the North East.
He issued a statement on Instagram, clarifying that he had not refused to play and had been told not to be involved in the match.
Whittaker will now be looking to silence his doubters and repay his manager’s faith when Boro host fifth-placed West Brom on Friday.
