' Peter Whittingham '

Some mental things written, half our goals came from set plays in the promotion season and he from a deep lying central midfield position has scored 2, how many has matts scored playing in an attacking role....

Square pegs in round holes all this year, left side of midfield for me with fabio giving the pace, diagonal ball to KJ, striker with KG - Job done

I always wonder why Whits fans find the need to have a go at Mats of all people when defending Whitts?
Lets break this down. Mats is 19,Whitts is 30. Mats is in the beginning of his career, Whitts is at the end. Why compare players that are so far apart in age, experience and development... pointless. Mats isn't even close to being the finished article.
I also wouldn't say they offer the same. Mats is more likely to be a source of chances from open play, with trickery and vision. Whereas Whitts main strength is set pieces, his shot, his passing range.
Agree that Whits is better out wide, at least thats where he had his best seasons, i wouldn't mind giving him a go out there again. But it really isn't that odd that he is in a deep lying position. Pirlo played in a more advanced position in his younger years, but due to his lack of pace he became more efficient as a deep lying playmaker. With Jordan Mutch and more mobile players around the idea at the time was probably that Whitts would be more effective from a deeper position. He also reads the game very well, much more so than some of our other defensive midfielders.

Some mental things written, half our goals came from set plays in the promotion season and he from a deep lying central midfield position has scored 2, how many has matts scored playing in an attacking role....

Square pegs in round holes all this year, left side of midfield for me with fabio giving the pace, diagonal ball to KJ, striker with KG - Job done

I always wonder why Whits fans find the need to have a go at Mats of all people when defending Whitts?
Lets break this down. Mats is 19,Whitts is 30. Mats is in the beginning of his career, Whitts is at the end. Why compare players that are so far apart in age, experience and development... pointless. Mats isn't even close to being the finished article.
I also wouldn't say they offer the same. Mats is more likely to be a source of chances from open play, with trickery and vision. Whereas Whitts main strength is set pieces, his shot, his passing range.
Agree that Whits is better out wide, at least thats where he had his best seasons, i wouldn't mind giving him a go out there again. But it really isn't that odd that he is in a deep lying position. Pirlo played in a more advanced position in his younger years, but due to his lack of pace he became more efficient as a deep lying playmaker. With Jordan Mutch and more mobile players around the idea at the time was probably that Whitts would be more effective from a deeper position. He also reads the game very well, much more so than some of our other defensive midfielders.

I used matts as an example as i couldn't think of another advanced midfeilder who has played regularly. Undoubtedly Matts has a future, but we have the same issue as Whitts, where to play him in the brutal world of the championship.

To me, Its about instinct.... The way he took the goal against Derby showed the instincts of an attacking midfielder, the assist for KJ goal against Brighton was of a wide midfielder, he doesn't think like a central defensively minded player.

I'll use matts as an example again but he would have taken a touch for the Derby goal and looking to play a 1-2 for the Brighton cross. Matts doesn't think like a winger/wide midfield, Whitts doesn't think like a central midfielder. Matts is playing off the striker away and the tip of a diamond home.

Whitts with a speedy full back is perfect for 442 diamond or flat 442 but on the left side.

On the basis that there is no room for Witts in a starting XI, I can see the logic in not starting him, but he would be a bencher for me in that case.
That isn't the same thing as dropping him, implying he isn't good enough anymore, but rather he is a valued experienced player who can play in various roles if needed (accepting that ideally he would slot in as an attacking MF).
He certainly doesn't deserve the stick he get from some IMO.

In a more forward position YES!

49/49 Our fans are split on Whitts

Some absolutely nonsensical claims being made about this man's ability and status. Reasonable player without question but past his sell by date. His nonchalant, languid, gritless style is a liability in any system. His occasional good crosses and corners do little to counterbalance the tempo and momentun we lose with his presence. As with all good players there is a time to recognise their past contribution but move on confidently to the future.

Absolutely agree, it's about time people got over him and realised we will get no where with him involved

[quote="cecilccfc"]The way Whitts gets treated is beyond disgraceful, he's a winger, if you ask him this he will tell you.

He plays CM when Managers ask him too, he doesn't pretend to be a player who is good in the air, and good in a tackle. Constantly played in CM with different players, never able to get a partnership going.

Why do we play a man who got 20 plus goals in a season left midfield in a CM two? Think what you want, but Solskjaer not only ruined Whitts confidence by being tactically inept, but also ruined many other players.

Have said this before, but the way our fan base treats him is a disgrace, bellers knew what a fantastic player Whitts was, and how he was on a completely different wave length to most the other squad members. Anyone remember Ben Turner publicly saying Whitts was far superior to anyone else he had ever played with? Whitts ideal position is behind the striker, yet hes constantly deployed at defensive midfield, why?

Will still get the most assists this season as per, and will chip in with 7-8 goals even if he continues to play in this position.[/qu0

























Cecil, the poll shows opinion equally divided on Whittingham. Although a tiny sample of opinion, confined to this forum I would not mind betting that generally the score might be similar. Maybe a year ago I would have guessed the score nearer 65-35 in Whittingham's favour, and two years prior to that it might have reflected 80-20. A year prior, I might even have voted for him myself.

Clearly many supporters are big fans of Whittingham, many fanatically so in my opinion, and others are Whittingham detractors. I sit in the latter camp myself. Why?, not through any personal motive but simply because his efforts are nowhere near what they once were. Many people rant on about the 20 goal season but I think most would agree that was a freak result, hugely helped by his exclusive undertaking of free kicks, corners and penalties. I feel sure even the most ardent of his supporters would recognise he will never achieve this tally again.

On one point I agree with you. The guy is a winger and never a CM. However, he is a winger with no pace. He would be eaten alive by most full backs in the Championship these days; apart from offering zero defensive support to our own full back. However, the more obvious reason why playing him as a winger this season would not be a great idea is because we already have 2 better, specialist wingers in Noone and Pilkington who should each get the nod over him. I for one don't think we are strong enough in midfield to play with 2 wingers because we havent sufficiently good ball winners in the middle. So if it were a choice between Whittingham and Noone for the one winger slot, I wonder how many would prefer a slow, ponderous Whittingham to a flying, dynamic Noone?

With regard to the other idea often raised by Whittingham supporters, that being the suggestion of playing him as an attacking midfielder, whose place would he take? Surely not Ravel Morrisson who is on a different planet to him in virtually every department? I would suggest Daehli would be before him in the queue in any case. So where do we play him? We have seen he does not have the pace, energy, tenacity, vision or tackling ability to be a successful CM; and with our reported poor possession stats we can all see where our major problem area clearly lies. The only way to improve those stats is to inject into midfield precisely all the qualities Whittingham lacks.

Finally, I must disagree with your criticism of some fans attitudes. Surely we are free to voice our opinion as long as its legal? How come a lavishly paid footballer is exempt from criticism and opinion? That can't be very healthy can it? This is not some religious deity we are talking about remember, its merely a sportsman. And I would advise you to disregard the rubbish thst no neck Bellamy spouted out just to stir up trouble; as I would equally suggest you take silly, point scoring comments other footballers say with a pinch of salt.

I have absolutely no doubt if Whittingham is dropped in favour of a more dynamic midfield set up, our fortunes this season would improve dramatically!

It wasnt only ole playing whitts like that malky started it
imo whitts has to go hes just plainly not good enough h

Looks like our fans are 50/50 on Whittingham, personally I think he is crucial, his set-pieces are deadly.

Two conflicting articles in the press today regarding Whitts. One reporter calls for him to be dropped whilst the other says that Whitts is crucial to Cardiff City.

Would you want to see Whitts as a starter or non starter at this time? I think that he should be played in an attacking role in front of some solid defensive midfielders.

But he should probably be dropped because he doesn't win every header

Critics answered

The way Whitts gets treated is beyond disgraceful, he's a winger, if you ask him this he will tell you.

He plays CM when Managers ask him too, he doesn't pretend to be a player who is good in the air, and good in a tackle. Constantly played in CM with different players, never able to get a partnership going.

Why do we play a man who got 20 plus goals in a season left midfield in a CM two? Think what you want, but Solskjaer not only ruined Whitts confidence by being tactically inept, but also ruined many other players.

Have said this before, but the way our fan base treats him is a disgrace, bellers knew what a fantastic player Whitts was, and how he was on a completely different wave length to most the other squad members. Anyone remember Ben Turner publicly saying Whitts was far superior to anyone else he had ever played with? Whitts ideal position is behind the striker, yet hes constantly deployed at defensive midfield, why?

Will still get the most assists this season as per, and will chip in with 7-8 goals even if he continues to play in this position.[/qu0

























Cecil, the poll shows opinion equally divided on Whittingham. Although a tiny sample of opinion, confined to this forum I would not mind betting that generally the score might be similar. Maybe a year ago I would have guessed the score nearer 65-35 in Whittingham's favour, and two years prior to that it might have reflected 80-20. A year prior, I might even have voted for him myself.

Clearly many supporters are big fans of Whittingham, many fanatically so in my opinion, and others are Whittingham detractors. I sit in the latter camp myself. Why?, not through any personal motive but simply because his efforts are nowhere near what they once were. Many people rant on about the 20 goal season but I think most would agree that was a freak result, hugely helped by his exclusive undertaking of free kicks, corners and penalties. I feel sure even the most ardent of his supporters would recognise he will never achieve this tally again.

On one point I agree with you. The guy is a winger and never a CM. However, he is a winger with no pace. He would be eaten alive by most full backs in the Championship these days; apart from offering zero defensive support to our own full back. However, the more obvious reason why playing him as a winger this season would not be a great idea is because we already have 2 better, specialist wingers in Noone and Pilkington who should each get the nod over him. I for one don't think we are strong enough in midfield to play with 2 wingers because we havent sufficiently good ball winners in the middle. So if it were a choice between Whittingham and Noone for the one winger slot, I wonder how many would prefer a slow, ponderous Whittingham to a flying, dynamic Noone?

With regard to the other idea often raised by Whittingham supporters, that being the suggestion of playing him as an attacking midfielder, whose place would he take? Surely not Ravel Morrisson who is on a different planet to him in virtually every department? I would suggest Daehli would be before him in the queue in any case. So where do we play him? We have seen he does not have the pace, energy, tenacity, vision or tackling ability to be a successful CM; and with our reported poor possession stats we can all see where our major problem area clearly lies. The only way to improve those stats is to inject into midfield precisely all the qualities Whittingham lacks.

Finally, I must disagree with your criticism of some fans attitudes. Surely we are free to voice our opinion as long as its legal? How come a lavishly paid footballer is exempt from criticism and opinion? That can't be very healthy can it? This is not some religious deity we are talking about remember, its merely a sportsman. And I would advise you to disregard the rubbish thst no neck Bellamy spouted out just to stir up trouble; as I would equally suggest you take silly, point scoring comments other footballers say with a pinch of salt.

I have absolutely no doubt if Whittingham is dropped in favour of a more dynamic midfield set up, our fortunes this season would improve dramatically!

Fair enough mate.

49/49 Our fans are split on Whitts

Sat here laughing at the critics Pete has had.

For years I've been on this mythical board backing up possibly the most consistent and technically gifted performer we've ever had.

A man who is playing CM when he's a winger, love the argument.. But he's a winger with no pace, though he had twice got 17+ goals in seasons when on the wing, when has noone, burke or even Paul parry done that?

Mans playing cm, gets goals and when two up front he looks comfortable as f**k, but go head... Ccfc fans got all the knowledge under the sun.. So drop him because he doesn't win as many headers as Gunnar #myth

City legend .. End of !

Yes all the way,class act when played in right position.

Well done PW

[quote="2blue2handle"]whitts has lost a huge amount of confidence since Malky thought he would be a good defensive midfielder.

He can do well for us again but it won't be in a 2 man midfield.[/quot

Whitts struggled in a two man midfield in last two games #myth

I am thinking he is on the wane, he was never a natural athlete remember, a great technician though

I think we owe it him to let him contribute for seasons to come, but as a squad player, the way Hibbert plays for Everton out of nowhere now and again.

SuperKev & Hudds should never of left!!

On the wane yeah?

Critics answered

drop him....simply adds nothing to the team,a luxury we cant afford..

Absolutely classic, reason I love reading this message board. What an absolute numpty you are

drop him....simply adds nothing to the team,a luxury we cant afford..

Absolutely classic, reason I love reading this message board. What an absolute numpty you are

This^^^^

There have been 2 games since I posted this, in view of the results from those games and Whitts goals/ performances would anyone want to change their opinion?