PETER WHITTINGHAM CAREER 400 APPEARANCES/IS HE ONE OF CITY'

" PETER WHITTINGHAM CAREER 400 APPEARANCES/IS HE ONE OF CITY''S ALL TIME GREATS "


My honest opinion, very talented and quality player for the Championship,doesnt though keep it going for a full season. Just not good enough for Premier League. But worth every penny that he has cost us so far


23rd October 2013

A brief look back at the career to date of Cardiff City's number 7

It’s no secret that England have been found wanting when it comes to having a wealth of talented left-footed midfielders for many a year..."
Now in his eighth Cardiff City season, Peter Whittingham made his 400th career league appearance against Newcastle United earlier this month.

Adept in a multitude of midfield roles, Peter – although never one to seek the limelight – has been of huge importance to Malky Mackay. He’s played in 103 of the Manager’s 115 games in charge of City to date, and every one of the Club’s 2013/14 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

It’s been a satisfying return to top-flight life for Whittingham who dropped into the Championship having left Aston Villa six years ago. His physical fitness and ability to avoid injuries has enabled Peter to reach such a milestone at the relatively early age of 29; his natural talent and consistency has kept him at the forefront of team selections for such a long time.



Peter tangles with Cesc Fabregas at Highbury in October 2004

THE START

Peter began life at Villa Park on the left wing, making his Premier League debut as an 18 year old in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in April 2003. The young Englishman quickly built a reputation for being able to beat his man and offer a goal threat.

Whittingham made 66 appearances for the Villains and scored in the Premier League against Portsmouth, though he would find starting opportunities at a premium during the tenure of Martin O’Neill.

Loan spells at Derby County and Burnley came in 2004, before Whitts signed for Cardiff in January 2007 and quickly established himself a place on the left of midfield under the conventional 442 setup of Dave Jones.





LIFE AS A YOUNG BLUEBIRD

With Joe Ledley stamping his claim for the left midfield birth in '07/08, Whittingham was switched to the right, proving no less deadly.

He played a pivotal role in the Club's F.A Cup run, scoring three times including that curled effort at Middlesbrough that sent travelling fans into delirium and the team to Wembley for the first time since 1927. No doubt, the goal will be remembered in a generation of City’s fans’ top ten – a hypothesised group that would likely feature at least a couple more from PW7.

Peter top-scored for the Bluebirds in the 2009/10 season with 25 goals – a remarkable achievement for a midfielder in the Championship. He continued to play a vital role the following year, linking up to great effect with Craig Bellamy for the first time in 2010/11 as City came agonisingly close to automatic promotion.



Peter wins the 'Goal of the Season' gong at the 2012 Football League Awards in London

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Peter’s success hasn't gone unnoticed. Admired and courted by some of the biggest clubs in the land, Whittingham has been named in three of the last four Championship Teams of the Season, has bagged a number of Player of the Month gongs and was awarded the 2011 Football League Goal of the Year for his audacious volley against Barnsley.




“IS THERE A BETTER SET PIECE TAKER IN THE LAND?”

Time and again, Whitts has shown that he is the epitome of calm when it comes to penalty taking. He found the back of the net twice in high pressure shoot-outs against Crystal Palace and then Liverpool in the 2011/12 Carling Cup semi-final and final and it is of note that he remains the Club’s allocated penalty taker despite the multitude of new, international talent that he now finds himself in the company of.

Penalties and free-kicks aside, Whittingham’s corner kick delivery has bamboozled the very best. England ‘keeper Joe Hart can pay testament to that in recent weeks, while the likes of Matt Connolly, Ben Turner, Steven Caulker et al will testify just how important Whitts’ dead-balls are to their own goal-scoring ambitions from corners in particular.

The Manchester City win back in August also highlighted the 29 year-old's tactical nous. Along with full-back Andrew Taylor, Whittingham patrolled the left flank as his own, rendering the input of Jesús Navas and James Milner in that game of little consequence. His control of the 2-1 victory at Fulham impressed the very best in the game.



THE FUTURE: VIVA BRAZIL?

It’s no secret that England have been found wanting when it comes to having a wealth of talented left-footed midfielders for many a year. Arguably, not since Liverpool’s John Barnes in the late 80s (and certainly since Ryan Giggs put any doubters in their place by committing his international career to the country of his birth and heritage) have they had a pencilled in occupant for that area of the park.

At 29, the mercurial Whittingham now has the platform on which to demonstrate his natural ability and composure. It’s a stage on which many think he’s been capable of gracing for some time and, arguably, with Roy Hodgson’s England team now confirmed to take part in next year’s FIFA World Cup, there’s no better time for the spotlight to be on the unassuming City talisman.

England are in need of a balance in midfield and a calm head that can deal with the high pressure situations that will come in the glare of the media spotlight. When you add Whittingham’s god-given command of a football to that mix, it won’t surprise too many should they see Mr Hodgson take his place in the stand to assess our game-changer’s form over the course of this Barclays Premier League campaign.

With 17 England U21 caps to his name, who’s to say that Peter Whittingham can’t join team-mates Caulker and Campbell on that flight to Rio next June?

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Prob our best signing for a long long time, for what we paid and the return in goals and assists he was a bargain and very rarely injured
I think he has started the season pretty well and i think he is a prem player but not sure he will shine like he did in the champ.

I'm big fan of Whitts, but also a critic when he seems not to bother going in for the tackle or getting stuck in.

I know he's never been or never will be a tackler and will be laid back, but its so frustrating at times.

I Think the style of the premier league suits him more than the championship

Yes he's laid back and not the best tackler.Yes he goes missing in some games like most players.Yes his form dips throughout the season like most players.The only negative that I will say is WHitts is not a Captain.LEGEND

Whitts is one of the very best Cardiff City players of my lifetime, (I'm 55). We call all sorts of blokes 'legends', but Whitts has done more than nearly all of them, and at a higher level. He was consistently one of the best players in the championship, over a number of seasons. Time will tell how good he can be in the PL, but the early signs are encouraging.

A very intelligent footballer, and a top bloke. Stayed loyal to our club, when he could quite easily have moved on.

One day, perhaps, Peter Whittingham will get the recognition he deserves.

Whitts is one of the very best Cardiff City players of my lifetime, (I'm 55). We call all sorts of blokes 'legends', but Whitts has done more than nearly all of them, and at a higher level. He was consistently one of the best players in the championship, over a number of seasons. Time will tell how good he can be in the PL, but the early signs are encouraging.

A very intelligent footballer, and a top bloke. Stayed loyal to our club, when he could quite easily have moved on.

One day, perhaps, Peter Whittingham will get the recognition he deserves.

Well said

Whitts is one of the very best Cardiff City players of my lifetime, (I'm 55). We call all sorts of blokes 'legends', but Whitts has done more than nearly all of them, and at a higher level. He was consistently one of the best players in the championship, over a number of seasons. Time will tell how good he can be in the PL, but the early signs are encouraging.

A very intelligent footballer, and a top bloke. Stayed loyal to our club, when he could quite easily have moved on.

One day, perhaps, Peter Whittingham will get the recognition he deserves.

Spot on one of the best players to pull on a city shirt, Dave Jones best signing £200k was the steal of the century!

Scored some of the best goals I have seen too

" PETER WHITTINGHAM CAREER 400 APPEARANCES/IS HE ONE OF CITY''S ALL TIME GREATS "


My honest opinion, very talented and quality player for the Championship,doesnt though keep it going for a full season. Just not good enough for Premier League. But worth every penny that he has cost us so far


23rd October 2013

A brief look back at the career to date of Cardiff City's number 7

It’s no secret that England have been found wanting when it comes to having a wealth of talented left-footed midfielders for many a year..."
Now in his eighth Cardiff City season, Peter Whittingham made his 400th career league appearance against Newcastle United earlier this month.

Adept in a multitude of midfield roles, Peter – although never one to seek the limelight – has been of huge importance to Malky Mackay. He’s played in 103 of the Manager’s 115 games in charge of City to date, and every one of the Club’s 2013/14 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

It’s been a satisfying return to top-flight life for Whittingham who dropped into the Championship having left Aston Villa six years ago. His physical fitness and ability to avoid injuries has enabled Peter to reach such a milestone at the relatively early age of 29; his natural talent and consistency has kept him at the forefront of team selections for such a long time.



Peter tangles with Cesc Fabregas at Highbury in October 2004

THE START

Peter began life at Villa Park on the left wing, making his Premier League debut as an 18 year old in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in April 2003. The young Englishman quickly built a reputation for being able to beat his man and offer a goal threat.

Whittingham made 66 appearances for the Villains and scored in the Premier League against Portsmouth, though he would find starting opportunities at a premium during the tenure of Martin O’Neill.

Loan spells at Derby County and Burnley came in 2004, before Whitts signed for Cardiff in January 2007 and quickly established himself a place on the left of midfield under the conventional 442 setup of Dave Jones.





LIFE AS A YOUNG BLUEBIRD

With Joe Ledley stamping his claim for the left midfield birth in '07/08, Whittingham was switched to the right, proving no less deadly.

He played a pivotal role in the Club's F.A Cup run, scoring three times including that curled effort at Middlesbrough that sent travelling fans into delirium and the team to Wembley for the first time since 1927. No doubt, the goal will be remembered in a generation of City’s fans’ top ten – a hypothesised group that would likely feature at least a couple more from PW7.

Peter top-scored for the Bluebirds in the 2009/10 season with 25 goals – a remarkable achievement for a midfielder in the Championship. He continued to play a vital role the following year, linking up to great effect with Craig Bellamy for the first time in 2010/11 as City came agonisingly close to automatic promotion.



Peter wins the 'Goal of the Season' gong at the 2012 Football League Awards in London

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

Peter’s success hasn't gone unnoticed. Admired and courted by some of the biggest clubs in the land, Whittingham has been named in three of the last four Championship Teams of the Season, has bagged a number of Player of the Month gongs and was awarded the 2011 Football League Goal of the Year for his audacious volley against Barnsley.




“IS THERE A BETTER SET PIECE TAKER IN THE LAND?”

Time and again, Whitts has shown that he is the epitome of calm when it comes to penalty taking. He found the back of the net twice in high pressure shoot-outs against Crystal Palace and then Liverpool in the 2011/12 Carling Cup semi-final and final and it is of note that he remains the Club’s allocated penalty taker despite the multitude of new, international talent that he now finds himself in the company of.

Penalties and free-kicks aside, Whittingham’s corner kick delivery has bamboozled the very best. England ‘keeper Joe Hart can pay testament to that in recent weeks, while the likes of Matt Connolly, Ben Turner, Steven Caulker et al will testify just how important Whitts’ dead-balls are to their own goal-scoring ambitions from corners in particular.

The Manchester City win back in August also highlighted the 29 year-old's tactical nous. Along with full-back Andrew Taylor, Whittingham patrolled the left flank as his own, rendering the input of Jesús Navas and James Milner in that game of little consequence. His control of the 2-1 victory at Fulham impressed the very best in the game.



THE FUTURE: VIVA BRAZIL?

It’s no secret that England have been found wanting when it comes to having a wealth of talented left-footed midfielders for many a year. Arguably, not since Liverpool’s John Barnes in the late 80s (and certainly since Ryan Giggs put any doubters in their place by committing his international career to the country of his birth and heritage) have they had a pencilled in occupant for that area of the park.

At 29, the mercurial Whittingham now has the platform on which to demonstrate his natural ability and composure. It’s a stage on which many think he’s been capable of gracing for some time and, arguably, with Roy Hodgson’s England team now confirmed to take part in next year’s FIFA World Cup, there’s no better time for the spotlight to be on the unassuming City talisman.

England are in need of a balance in midfield and a calm head that can deal with the high pressure situations that will come in the glare of the media spotlight. When you add Whittingham’s god-given command of a football to that mix, it won’t surprise too many should they see Mr Hodgson take his place in the stand to assess our game-changer’s form over the course of this Barclays Premier League campaign.

With 17 England U21 caps to his name, who’s to say that Peter Whittingham can’t join team-mates Caulker and Campbell on that flight to Rio next June?

top servant for us and very loyal

He's gone missing in 3/4 of those games, Mr Inconsistency

He will always be a City legend after so many appearances

He's arguably one of CCFC's best ever signings and will always be held in high regard by the fans, myself included.

He's just not very consistent at tines, especially fluffing those three corners at Chelsea...

I'm big fan of Whitts, but also a critic when he seems not to bother going in for the tackle or getting stuck in.

I know he's never been or never will be a tackler and will be laid back, but its so frustrating at times.

You can't be good at everything

nice player ...no chance going to brazil and play for England have a giraffe ...

Great player. Underestimated. At present he is doing a job, essentially to cover Taylor as his work ethic is fantastic. But this position does not suit his skills. He is best when on the ball so that he can dictate play. Needs to play central with Medal winning the ball and giving it to Witts so that he can start opening up defences. Unassuming, intelligent and a true Bloobird. After all 'he does what he wants'

In my top 5 all time City favourites. Still time to reach top spot too...