Big Simon Hallett call may protect Plymouth Argyle from Morgan Whittaker avalanche: View | OneFootball

Plymouth Argyle’s momentous return to the Championship almost turned into a year to forget for the Pilgrims, and if it wasn’t for a judgement call from the Home Park hierarchy they could be facing the prospect of another season back in the third tier.

The Greens were in disarray after the ill-judged appointment of Ian Foster in January, with the former England youth boss struggling to find the same tune that departing boss Steven Schumacher had managed while in Devon.

Three wins from 14 league matches saw Argyle teetering on the brink of the relegation spots when they decided to pull the plug on the 47-year-old’s time at the helm, with just 87 days between his first hiring and firing.

That move coincided with an upturn in form for Simon Hallett’s beloved side in the latter weeks of the season, and staying in the second tier could well have boosted their chances of keeping hold of their top talent during the summer.

Morgan Whittaker Plymouth Argyle transfer rumours likely to return ahead of summer transfer window

Morgan Whittaker was said to be a wanted man throughout the January transfer window, with the left-footed whizz catching the eye of top tier clubs both at home and abroad.

Brentford and Fulham were both reportedly interested in brining the former Swansea City man to the club over the winter, while Italian giants Lazio were also said to be monitoring the situation at the start of the year.

The Greens were rumoured to be holding out for £15 million for their prized asset four months ago, and having registered 19 league goals to help his side maintain their Championship status, Argyle will be preparing themselves for more interest over the off-season.

Director of Football Neil Dewsnip has already admitted the Pilgrims are expecting more eyeballs on Whittaker over the summer, although they will be fighting tooth and nail to keep him at Home Park.

He said: “Good for Morgan. Will there be interest in him? I'm sure there will be. Good players are at a premium in the Championship.

Even in the Premier League, so we will have to wait and see what develops. I have no idea if there is anything on the table at this moment in time.

"First of all, we have got to have somebody who wants to pay that kind of money, that value. There will be discussions on that if and when that happens.

“That will be one more for Simon (Hallett, owner and chairman) and Andrew (Parkinson, chief executive officer) than myself."

If teams are preparing another bid for their main man, Argyle will have plenty more bargaining power after remaining in the Championship for another season, with the decision to part ways with Foster reaping its rewards immediately.

Their chances of keeping hold of him into next year are all the greater after ensuring second tier football for a second successive season, with the playmaker loving life on the south coast, as he attested to earlier in the year.

"My head was never going to be turned," he said about the Lazio interest. "Because of how happy I am here it's no-brainer for me to stay and kick on.

"I'm happy," he added. "What I've learned being in football is happiness is everything and I've finally got that, and I don't want to give that up yet."

Plymouth Argyle rally to stay in the Championship after pivotal Simon Hallett, Ian Foster decision

Three wins in the final six matches of the season saw Argyle stay up by a single point in the end, with Joe Edwards’ header claiming a crucial 1-0 victory over Hull City to dramatically seal safety on the final day.

With Neil Dewsnip [pictured] and Kevin Nancekivell taking charge of first-team affairs for the final few matches of the season, the Greens were rejuvenated in their efforts to stay in the division, and immediately got back to winning ways in the duo’s first match in charge.

A 1-0 win over Rotherham United was backed up by a 1-1 draw against Queens Park Rangers days later, before claiming a season-defining victory against Champions Leicester City in front of a bouncing Home Park to give their survival chances a massive shot in the arm.

Things could have been easier if defeat could have been avoided against either Stoke City or Millwall in the run-in, but Captain Fantastic Edwards made sure all was settled on the final day, with one of the finest performances ever seen in green to help his side earn all three points.

The Argyle that finished the season were a different entity to the one who could barely pick up a point in the first three months of the calendar year; which only goes to prove how pivotal that decision by Hallett after the Easter weekend proved to be.

He got it wrong the first time, but accepted the fact and redeemed himself in the nick of time, and in doing so will have helped the club in the long run, with Whittaker a shoe-in to leave the club had relegation been confirmed this season.

If Whittaker stays in green for another year Hallett can take all the credit; we all make mistakes, but rectifying them before they prove costly is part of good ownership, and the Pilgrims chief has proven to be a shrewd operator as Argyle continue to grow on and off the pitch.

With a summer to rebuild and appoint a new boss, the Devon side will be refilled with vigour ahead of the next campaign, and hold every chance of holding on to their main man if all goes to plan, with another chance to have a crack at the second tier.