Has Russell Martin got a decision to make ? Until his return to Swansea from Plymouth, Morgan Whittaker was playing confident and successful football, albeit in a team that was looking very much upwards. And then there’s Joel Piroe. The Dutchman looked tired and lacking in confidence when one on one against his marker at Blackburn Rovers yesterday. Does he need help or a rest ?

So what’s the point here ?

Morgan Whittaker has been back at Swansea for around five weeks but didn’t feature in the Swans side until the defeat to Birmingham City this month. Sheffield United away saw Morgan get in around thirty five minutes of football, again a defeat in a game Swansea were chasing and outclassed. The Blackpool win last week saw Morgan get twelve minutes, and yesterday for no apparent reason he played injury time football.

It’s clearly been a struggle for the twenty two year old since returning to Wales. That said his mind has been distracted by ‘inquiries’ for his services by Glasgow Rangers, regardless of what has been reported, they are facts. The game time he has had hasn’t been enough to give him the confidence he needs, plus it’s a real boost to know you are on the team sheet. That knowledge changes a players mindset completely. They feel much better about their position at a club and know as well exactly where they stand.

That expectation needs improving in the case of Morgan Whittaker.

Surely now with the main factor being scoring the first goal in games then the forward line needs a boost, and maybe a different approach come this Tuesday. It could be a partnership with Joel Piroe is under consideration ? Either way the lack of game changing goals and Russell Martin’s desire to address means surely a goalscorer in Morgan Whittaker could change those fortunes ?

Give the youngster the time and input that has been given to Liam Cullen and surely there will be some returns ? The Swans need to display their commitment to the player and of course it could well prove to be a real positive if Morgan proves to be a success. He is hardly going to increase his value or improve his development playing bit part football in a side that needs more goals scored from chances made. The missed opportunities and weak finishing we saw yesterday just wasn’t good enough.

So why not get him in the mix ? It’s a no brainer surely for Russell Martin. Get a hungry player who scores goals in to your side that needs goals to break the deadlock in football matches. Actually when you put it like that it’s blatantly obvious !

Photographs licensed from Reuters

johnjubal1958 added 19:35 - Feb 19 I absolutely 100% agree with you! I was puzzled after we didn't sign a single player in the January transfer window that Martin didn't play Morgan Whittaker from the start of a game. Martin boasts how he likes to give young players a chance yet he throws him on with minutes to go. How can a player make an impact like that and what is it doing to the young man's confidence? Personally I think Mr Martin has been found wanting! 15th in the league last year and it will be roughly the same this year, where is the progress in that. We were better off before he arrived!

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