' Peter Whittingham deserves a medel! '

'Pitbull Gary Medel can bring the best out of me,' insists Cardiff City star Peter Whittingham

Peter Whittingham
By Terry Phillips 12 Sep 2013
One is known as a creative playmaker, the other a hard-as-nails destructive midfield force.

In theory, Peter Whittingham and Gary Medel should complement one another in the Cardiff City midfield, and the early signs are encouraging.

Medel, in particular, has drawn rave reviews from Bluebirds supporters and, more importantly, manager Malky Mackay, who has gone as far as to predict the former Seville forager could prove one of the club’s greatest ever signings.

Now Whittingham has spoken of his hope that the no-nonsense Chilean international can help him thrive on a Premier League stage he has craved for so long.

“Gary arrived with a bit of a reputation as a hard player, but he’s a good character to have around and is picking up the language quickly,” said Whittingham.

“Everybody looks at him as a ball winner, but there’s so much more to his game.

“He takes the pressure off our back four when he can make simple five or 10-yard passes that move us up the pitch.

“That’s great for me and the other midfield players because we know we’re going to be on the ball.

“Gary’s role is hard to play because you have to sit deep and mop things up, but he does it incredibly well and helps the team so much.

“People may say his job is the boring side of football, but it’s so effective if you do it right. We are all enjoying playing alongside him.”



Whittingham was left out of City’s starting line-up during the last month of their Championship title-winning success when Kim Bo-Kyung emerged, but he has played every minute of Cardiff’s three Premier League matches so far.

Whittingham is now playing alongside Kimbo and Aron Gunnarsson, with the outstanding Medel pulling the strings from his deep-lying role.

The four look certain to be together through midfield when Cardiff take on Hull City at the KC Stadium on Humberside this Saturday.

It was six years ago Whittingham moved on from Aston Villa, where he had made 56 top-flight appearances, to sign for Cardiff and dedicate himself to helping the Bluebirds earn promotion.

He stayed in Cardiff when Premier clubs including Fulham, Stoke and West Ham were keen to sign him, while he has signed three new contracts since Mackay became manager and is committed to Cardiff until at least 2015.

He has made more than 300 first-team appearances for City and is now reaping the rewards of sticking with the club when other clubs would have loved to prise him away.

“Any footballer would love a chance to play against the best players,” Whittingham said.

“I genuinely believe Premier League football is the best league anywhere in the world too. Certainly when you look at amount of quality there is in the division.

“To play in our three matches has been brilliant for me and all the lads. We really appreciate where we are playing and believe we have acquitted ourselves well.”

Whittingham is a dead ball specialist who was among the best from corners and free-kicks at Championship level, while he has all the ability needed to make a major impression at the top level.

Fraizer Campbell scored twice from corners during Cardiff’s stunning 3-2 win against Manchester City, taken by Whittingham and Don Cowie.

“Corners aren’t at all nice for goalkeepers to deal with when they are delivered well,” said Whittingham.

“There is a lot of pace going on the ball and when we take them basically our first aim is to put them into the box as quickly as we can. The ball can end up anywhere so personally when I get it around the six-yard box it’s satisfying.

“Fraizer was unbelievable with his goals. We’ve seen him play like that in training. He has pace, power and the ability to finish clinically.

“Fraizer showed he is a big threat at set-pieces as well. He seems to have it all.

“Those goals against Manchester City will give him confidence and hopefully they will get him on a bit of a run.”

Whittingham has loved the intense atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium during the first Premier League home match against Manuel Pellegrini’s Sky Blues and Everton.

Both were 27,000-plus sell-outs and Whittingham said: “It was a remarkable feeling.

“The most telling thing was that when we went a goal down the home fans were surreal. They took it up a level again and really lifted us.

“Then we scored and it went crazy again. At 3-1 I had a look around when Manchester City were about to kick off and the majority of the crowd were doing the ‘Poznan.’

“It was fabulous.”

City fans followed the celebration inspired by Lech Poznan fans in Poland by linking arms with their backs to the pitch and bouncing up and down together.

The next home match for Cardiff is against Spurs on Sunday week and the players can’t wait for another 90 minutes of a red-hot atmosphere created by Bluebirds fans.

“Our results against Manchester City and Everton have changed the atmosphere around the place,” Whittingham told Cardiff City Player.

“We didn’t perform as well as we hoped at West Ham in our opening match. They are a difficult team to play and it was our first Premier League match.

“It’s a long week that follows when you don’t win, but we’ve bounced back and done well at home.

“We’re off the mark points wise and that makes a huge difference.

“We were a lot calmer on the ball at home. We hadn’t passed well against West Ham, but in the build-up to Gunnar’s goal against Manchester City there were 17 passes in a move which started on the edge of our penalty area.

“That helps in giving us belief and helps us grow as a team.

“Having four points on the board is huge. It has settled everybody down.

“But there are still an awful lot of matches to go. We have set high standards as a team and we’ll work to maintain them over a long period.”

If there was a medel for best set piece delivery in the country then Whitts would win gold.

Last edited by Mario Polotelli on Thu Sep 12, 2013 1:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

best set piece delivery in the country

certainly up there

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

he already has.

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

Very nearly did v Everton and I had £10 on him @ 12/1 to score first goal

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

he already has.

which game was that???

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

Know what you mean, Annis, but can't help feeling that you're being a little bit harsh on Whitts. He's a great player, and a top bloke. We call this or that payer a 'Cardiff City legend', which is fair enough. But Peter Whittingham has done more than most City payers over the years. Hopefully, he can prove himself in the top flight this season.

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Last edited by Mario Polotelli on Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

he already has.

which game was that???

Peterborough at home I believe against Joe Lewis

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Spot on, difference being last season we had more strength in depth to freshen things up.

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

Know what you mean, Annis, but can't help feeling that you're being a little bit harsh on Whitts. He's a great player, and a top bloke. We call this or that payer a 'Cardiff City legend', which is fair enough. But Peter Whittingham has done more than most City payers over the years. Hopefully, he can prove himself in the top flight this season.

I honestly hope he proves me wrong

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Only my opinion Chris and I stand by it.
On nearly all the big games he has gone missing and 7 years in the Championship surely a Premier Club would of signed him up? Like I say I really hope he proves me wrong this season.

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Only my opinion Chris and I stand by it.
On nearly all the big games he has gone missing and 7 years in the Championship surely a Premier Club would of signed him up? Like I say I really hope he proves me wrong this season.

Clubs did come in for him but hes settled here, plus clubs who, even in the Premier League, do not pay the kind of wages Cardiff pay / paid. Fulham were rebuffed, West Brom also.

Cant agree on him going missing in the big games either. Was one of our best players in the Carling Cup final and set up 2 goals in the play off final loss to Blackpool. Also, who could possibly forget his free kick in the play-off semi final win over Leicester??

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

Thing is now though he wont have as many games as in the championship, where its, Tues/ Sat, most of the time, so will be fresher, and that goes for most of the lads.

I'd deffo rate Whitts as one of the best set piece takers in the country along with the likes of Lampard & Gerrard

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Only my opinion Chris and I stand by it.
On nearly all the big games he has gone missing and 7 years in the Championship surely a Premier Club would of signed him up? Like I say I really hope he proves me wrong this season.

Clubs did come in for him but hes settled here, plus clubs who, even in the Premier League, do not pay the kind of wages Cardiff pay / paid. Fulham were rebuffed, West Brom also.

Cant agree on him going missing in the big games either. Was one of our best players in the Carling Cup final and set up 2 goals in the play off final loss to Blackpool. Also, who could possibly forget his free kick in the play-off semi final win over Leicester??

Also his is goal against Middlesbrough in the FA quarter final in 08 it was an outstanding finish from him even though it wasn't a set piece it was a very big game for us

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

Only my opinion Chris and I stand by it.
On nearly all the big games he has gone missing and 7 years in the Championship surely a Premier Club would of signed him up? Like I say I really hope he proves me wrong this season.

Annis, you judge him far too harshly.

Firstly, I thought clubs had come in for him in the past few seasons? Secondly, look at the improvement he's made under Malky in the past two years; he's gone from being a lazy git to someone who runs around a lot and isn't afraid to get stuck in.

The main thing though, is that you go on about him not being consistent. And you know what? You're right. But it's not a bad thing. If he was consistent, he would be too good for us. He would be playing for a better team and getting in the England squad. What he can do though, is produce magic moments.

When we need a goal, or a moment of inspiration, Whittingham is the exact type of player who can produce something like this out of nothing. Not a lot of players can do this; he will be vital for winning us points throughout the season. Not to mention his set piece abilities; his corners alone could very well be the difference between relegation and survival.

Annis you bang on about this Premier League coming in from him when it has been highly documented form himself Whittingham that Prem clubs have come in?

Whittingham really knows the game well by judging the analysis on Medel where he is spot on.

With Whittingham on the pitch and a chance of set pieces then you know something will happen with Whittingham standing over one if it's corner or a free kick.

Also he keeps play ticking in midfield all the time.

If there was a medel for best set piece delivery in the country then Whitts would win gold.

I tried telling my mate this in uni but he was having none of it. Whitts is easily the greatest in Britain. Neville appreciates just how good he is at delivering a dead ball as well and that means something because Neville talks sense and knows his football.

Whitts is a Cardiff City legend and a top bloke I've been fortunate to go on the lash with. His delivery alone and tactical nous makes him an asset at this level in itself.

I always said, if Charlie Adam can make it at this level then Whittingham can as well and I stand by that because Whittingham to me is the better player. Adam just had his day when it mattered and his name boomed from there because it was on centre stage much like Scott Sinclair's.

Charlie Adam, Scott Sinclair, Adel Taarabt - all one season wonders if you ask me and I put the Snodgrass', Whittingham's, Hudson's, Williams' (Swansea to prove no bias for our bitter friends), Hoolahan's etc. above them.

People slate Whitts but his record over the last 4 years speaks for itself. Just over 1 in 4 from a deeper midfield position last year and less appearances than in previous seasons so only fitting he'd score less. Granted, a hat trick against one team skews it a bit more and people will bring that up but by the same token the likes of Suarez has scored hat tricks vs teams like Norwich so that's a bit of a null point. He finished the game off and bagged three points.

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One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

he already has.

which game was that???

Against Palarse away not last season but the season before, he took a corner by where we were standing and it went straight in on the keepers near post, I think it was the league game there but it could have been the carling cup semi I'm not sure as I went to both.

I still have very big doubts about Whittingham being able to be consistent in the Premier League, in my opinion, he was not consistent in the Championship. On his day Whitts is Class, but we dont see him perform like that week in week out.

How can you say he was not consistent in the Championship?

Hes been consistently our best and highest goal scoring midfielder in the championship for the last 4 seasons.

He was consistent enough to be named in the PFA championship team of the year 3 of the last 4 years as voted for by his peers and was Cardiff Citys player of the year 2 of the last 4 years.

Yes he has quieter games, but if he was MOTM every game he would be Ronaldo or Messi, which obviously he isnt. They are a rare breed.

We see his class in far more games than we dont see it thats for sure. He has far more good games than he has stinkers.

And before you mention him fading last season thats cos he played more minutes than anyone and Malky burnt him out.

One of these days he's gonna score straight from a corner, the guys left foot is a wand.

he already has.

which game was that???

Against Palarse away not last season but the season before, he took a corner by where we were standing and it went straight in on the keepers near post, I think it was the league game there but it could have been the carling cup semi I'm not sure as I went to both.

It confirms on his Wiki page that he scored from a corner against Posh. So is that 2 he's scored from a corner. That man does what he wants eh!

i think the palace one was disallowed wasnt it.

i think the palace one was disallowed wasnt it.

It wasnt but I dont think it was a corner it was a free kick (might aswell have been a corner) could be wrong though didnt have the best view at the time

i think the palace one was disallowed wasnt it.

It wasnt but I dont think it was a corner it was a free kick (might aswell have been a corner) could be wrong though didnt have the best view at the time

F. off Roathy

i think the palace one was disallowed wasnt it.

It wasnt but I dont think it was a corner it was a free kick (might aswell have been a corner) could be wrong though didnt have the best view at the time

F. off Roathy

what planet are you living on saying im that idiot