IS ONE OF OUR STAR PLAYERS IN DECLINE OR A VICTIM?

Is Cardiff City maverick Peter Whittingham in decline, or is he a victim of circumstance? The lowdown on the 'sacred' Bluebird

WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2015

BY SCOTT JOHNSON
Cardiff City columnist Scott Johnson takes a look at his favourite player, Peter Whittingham, and suggests the expectations on him are unreasonable


Is Peter Whittingham in decline, or a victim of circumstance?

For me, Peter Whittingham is sacred. He’s a model professional, a precious link to Cardiff City's past and one of the good guys.

When he gets a kicking from supporters, as he does every now and then, my automatic instinct is to leap to his defence.



The case for the defence

How dare you put down someone that has given Cardiff City so much? But I’m well aware that football is subjective. You pay your money and have your say.


I admit it is getting more difficult to defend him. I will never turn on Whittingham or give up on him like some have, but it is harder to justify his automatic selection every week.




But is that due to decline or circumstance? It’s hard to say, probably a bit of both.

In some respects, I think expectations of Whittingham are unreasonable. The fact that he scored 25 goals during the 2009/10 season probably skewed expectations forever more.

Every season since has been a disappointment in contrast. The long-distance strikes and prolific free-kicks may have subsided, but it is important to acknowledge that Whittingham’s role has also evolved too.



Does he have the legs?

In his most-productive season, he was utilised as a traditional winger and instructed to get in the box more by Dave Jones. With respect, he probably doesn’t have the legs to do that anymore.

Under Malky Mackay, he was reinvented as a deep-lying playmaker, more of a quarterback. It may be a less showy role, but it is a more important function with regards to the team as a whole.

But that is Whittingham through and through. He does not seek or hog the spotlight, he seems far more comfortable in the background.

He may not appear as influential as he once was, but when you take him out of the side, his absence is keenly felt. Everything goes through Whittingham. The way Cardiff play is not particularly sophisticated, but it becomes far less sophisticated without him.


Whittingham, approaching his ninth year with the club, has seen off all competition for his place during that time, but maybe he now has a worthy challenger. Maybe Joe Ralls will be his successor and some would like to see that transition happen immediately.

If you were picking the team on merit, you would probably have Ralls in ahead of Whittingham at present. He has stormed through pre-season and has started the season like a house on fire.

Is Cardiff City maverick Peter Whittingham in decline, or is he a victim of circumstance? The lowdown on the 'sacred' Bluebird

WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER 2015

BY SCOTT JOHNSON
Cardiff City columnist Scott Johnson takes a look at his favourite player, Peter Whittingham, and suggests the expectations on him are unreasonable


Is Peter Whittingham in decline, or a victim of circumstance?

For me, Peter Whittingham is sacred. He’s a model professional, a precious link to Cardiff City's past and one of the good guys.

When he gets a kicking from supporters, as he does every now and then, my automatic instinct is to leap to his defence.



The case for the defence

How dare you put down someone that has given Cardiff City so much? But I’m well aware that football is subjective. You pay your money and have your say.


I admit it is getting more difficult to defend him. I will never turn on Whittingham or give up on him like some have, but it is harder to justify his automatic selection every week.




But is that due to decline or circumstance? It’s hard to say, probably a bit of both.

In some respects, I think expectations of Whittingham are unreasonable. The fact that he scored 25 goals during the 2009/10 season probably skewed expectations forever more.

Every season since has been a disappointment in contrast. The long-distance strikes and prolific free-kicks may have subsided, but it is important to acknowledge that Whittingham’s role has also evolved too.



Does he have the legs?

In his most-productive season, he was utilised as a traditional winger and instructed to get in the box more by Dave Jones. With respect, he probably doesn’t have the legs to do that anymore.

Under Malky Mackay, he was reinvented as a deep-lying playmaker, more of a quarterback. It may be a less showy role, but it is a more important function with regards to the team as a whole.

But that is Whittingham through and through. He does not seek or hog the spotlight, he seems far more comfortable in the background.

He may not appear as influential as he once was, but when you take him out of the side, his absence is keenly felt. Everything goes through Whittingham. The way Cardiff play is not particularly sophisticated, but it becomes far less sophisticated without him.


Whittingham, approaching his ninth year with the club, has seen off all competition for his place during that time, but maybe he now has a worthy challenger. Maybe Joe Ralls will be his successor and some would like to see that transition happen immediately.

If you were picking the team on merit, you would probably have Ralls in ahead of Whittingham at present. He has stormed through pre-season and has started the season like a house on fire.

Interesting piece. I think it always needs to be ackowledged that whitts' contribution to the side isnt always a visable one

He was great, in the past.

Last 3 seasons has been dire and if he was anyone else would have been dropped a long time ago.

How many assist has he got this season? How many goals has he been directly involved in?

He deserves much better than our fans give him.

How many assist has he got this season? How many goals has he been directly involved in?

He deserves much better than our fans give him.

Agree its a shame that Whitts gets overlooked by a lot of people.

I think it is a bit of both, I really like Whitts, model professionall, great servant over the years, gives his all, however based on the last few years, he hasn't been the old Whitts we all love and respect, sad but true, I really hope he has a good season this time round. What he doesn't deserve is our fans cheering when taken off !!!

He was great, in the past.

Last 3 seasons has been dire and if he was anyone else would have been dropped a long time ago.

He has been dropped before but to his credit bounces back.Still got plenty to offer and has started this season fine

How many assist has he got this season? How many goals has he been directly involved in?

He deserves much better than our fans give him.

I agree, still one our best player

I think it is a bit of both, I really like Whitts, model professionall, great servant over the years, gives his all, however based on the last few years, he hasn't been the old Whitts we all love and respect, sad but true, I really hope he has a good season this time round. What he doesn't deserve is our fans cheering when taken off !!!

"The old Whitts" was a left winger who scored goals coming in from that side late into the box, also scoring penalties and free kicks.

Your criticism is.. He doesn't play left wing anymore?

We are 5th in the league and undefeated. He runs his stocks off, covers more ground than almost anyone else -FACT- is the best passer of the ball at the club, the most comfortable in possession and rarely gives it away. Uh! doh! What more do you want? Oh yes - too much. Of course he should be in the team. Appreciate his talent everyone. A legend. There's always moaners on this board who have probably rarely played football other than in ther primary school team, crap local football or are armchair supporters whose knowledge could be put on the back of a packet of fags.

How many assist has he got this season? How many goals has he been directly involved in?

He deserves much better than our fans give him.

Agree its a shame that Whitts gets overlooked by a lot of people.

Absolutely. I wonder what our fans are watching sometimes.

Whitts deserves some respect for his longevity if nothing else. He has stayed in the squad for a long time and offers experience, knowledge and the odd dead ball gem.

I'm not saying he is Giggs or Bergkamp, but at this level, he still has the ability to make a difference.

What I think is pathetic: jeering a player who is subbed off. Totally out of order. The manager picks the team and players don't have poor performances on purpose.

I admire the player and the man.