Whittingham frustrated by "sloppy" pre season friendlies

Thursday 1st August 2013

Cardiff City's “sloppy” start to pre-season has led to Peter Whittingham urging them to cut out the mistakes as the Premier League season looms large.

The Bluebirds toiled at non-league Forest Green Rovers in their opener before winning 4-3 and were held 1-1 by League Two outfit Cheltenham last weekend.

And things got worse on Tuesday night when they suffered a 3-2 defeat to Brentford, of League One, at Griffin Park.

While Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay insists he is not interested in pre-season scorelines – “I take no notice of them” he said after the Cheltenham draw – Whittingham insists everyone in the Cardiff squad must up their game with the big kick-off just over a fortnight away.

“It was frustrating for all of us,” said Whittingham, 28, reflecting on a defeat in west London where he sat just in front of the back four.

“For 35 to 40 minutes we controlled the match. We came out, passed well and looked a good team.

“But the second half performance was such a disappointment.

“I felt we got sloppy and gave silly goals away, it was incredibly frustrating after we had started so well.

“I suppose it’s going to take a little time because we haven’t had that many matches.

“But the aim is to be ready for the start of our Premier League fixtures – and that is still more than a fortnight away.”


Kim Bo-kyung was Cardiff City's star at Brentford

Peter Whittingham celebrates Fraizer Campbell's goal with him

Fraizer Cambell takes the attack to the Bees

Craig Bellamy worked hard in attack and defence

Cardiff City wore their new yellow change strip



Kim Bo-kyung and Fraizer Campbell had actually fired Cardiff into a 2-0 lead but the visitors lost their way just before half-time.

Conor McAleny, fresh from signing a loan deal from Everton, scored twice before veteran substitute Paul Hayes grabbed the winner.

“We know what has to be done and everybody is intent on getting things right for our first match at West Ham,” said Whittingham, now focused on continental tests against AC Chievo Verona and Athletic Bilbao, from Italy and Spain respectively.

“Our next two matches will be far more relative to Premier League football and we must learn everything we can from them.

“They are going to be completely different matches to those we have played so far.

“We have played some decent opposition but when we take on Chievo this Saturday there won’t be as much channel running as there was again Brentford.

“Chievo and Bilbao will keep the ball and will test us to the full.

“We need to close down at the right times, we need to understand when to stay.

“But I know these matches will help us prepare for the challenges to come.”

Video: Brentford v Cardiff City highlights and reaction


Whittingham was used sparingly by Mackay towards the end of last season and didn’t play a full 90 minutes from mid-March onwards.

But the signs are that the former England Under-21 international will be give an early chance to stake his claim for a regular Premier League place.

He was the only outfield player to play the full match in the Brentford defeat and his midfield link with Kim and Jordon Mutch was a significant factor in Cardiff’s impressive start at Griffin Park.

And if Mackay was indeed looking for a silver lining, Bees manager Uwe Rosler said: “We were outplayed for much of the first half.

“That’s something which hasn’t happened before to that extent since I came to Brentford two years ago.”

Mackay is hoping that the firm foundations laid in Switzerland – when the Cardiff players came through a week of double sessions in Switzerland – will pay off in the Premier League.

But some commentators have questioned whether Mackay’s squad will have had enough game-time before their Upton Park opener on August 17.

“It’s been a slog but that’s what was needed and now it’s all about playing,” said Whittingham.

“The matches will come thick and fast now and it’s about getting things right on the pitch.

“Our second half performance as a team at Brentford was sloppy.

“The passes which were spot-on during the first half weren’t there as the game went on.

“There are a lot of good players in this Cardiff squad.

“I enjoy playing alongside both Kimbo, who has adjusted really well to life in Cardiff, and Jordon.

“Kimbo is doing his English lessons, progressing well and is great to have at the club.

“He has a great sense of humour and is really enjoying his football.”

But it might not get any easier for Cardiff this weekend as Chievo, who finished eighth in Serie A last season, arrive in South Wales on the back of a 3-0 win against fellow Italian side Bari.

“It was frustrating for all of us,” said Whittingham, 28, reflecting on a defeat in west London where he sat just in front of the back four. Not again

Whitts sitting InFront of the back four... That's the reason if we get Capoue, he'll struggle getting into the team.

With Kimbo and Mutch both willing to get forward, Whitts just stays far too deep and we lose a midfield player because of it, a few seasons ago he was one if the most creative players in the team, now he is too defensive minded.

He also does not have the ability of the main midfield starters, If we strengthen further in midfield, I can see him starting very little games.

Whitts sitting InFront of the back four... That's the reason if we get Capoue, he'll struggle getting into the team.

With Kimbo and Mutch both willing to get forward, Whitts just stays far too deep and we lose a midfield player because of it, a few seasons ago he was one if the most creative players in the team, now he is too defensive minded.

He also does not have the ability of the main midfield starters, If we strengthen further in midfield, I can see him starting very little games.

Agreed if we do get him, but i think Mutch will be dropped just for the first couple of games for Whitts. If Whitts isnt doing the business then Mutch or Gunnarsson will be in for him.

Well well well , so we got Whitts going on about it too. Lets see if some of the guys on here ,now tell Whitts not to be stupid
Or maybe they still know better than Whitts

all i can say is whitts has lost his way in this team for some reason or another, goes missing far to much, needs a kick up the ass or a couple of players to challenge his place, on the plus side . the premier might suit his game?