" Time to bid farewell to Peter Whittingham? "

Peter Whittingham no longer warrants a place in the starting eleven: he hasn’t for the last three years. It is time to say farewell to a former fan-favourite.

11/12/2015

by Michael Jones
Inside Cardiff City

During his 8 year stay at the club, Whittingham has been a constant in the City side after breaking through under David Jones. Granted, the Englishman has served the Bluebirds well, netting 72 goals in his 342 appearances, with countless assists. Sadly, for both team and player, such contributions have been missing from his game for quite some time.

The 31 year-old, although providing 5 assists, is lacking in the quality needed to take Slade’s men from play-off potential to real contenders. The former Villa man is slow on the ball, stagnating the pace of the game and suffers from a frustratingly poor work ethic. Coupled with, his lack of bravery in committing challenges and putting his body on the line offers further reason for ‘Whitt’s’ departure.

According to Squakwa statistics, City’s No.7 has won a worrying 36% of duels between opposing players. Whittingham’s only saving grace for the past few seasons has been his delivery at set-pieces; even this is starting to fail him.

It’s not all his fault, though. The central-midfielder has fallen victim to managers not knowing how to utilise his abilities: under Mackay and Solskjaer he was directed into a defensive role, completely absurd when one considers his inadequacies in defending. Now, under Slade, he operates in a two-man partnership and is often forced to play wide left.

Whittingham, to perform at his best, needs to be deployed floating behind the striker and in front of the midfield. Spearheading a triangle of, say Ralls and Dikgacoi, he would be allowed the luxury of picking up loose balls and, in the final third, threading defence-splitting passes through to City’s front-men.

Indeed, the City veteran is most effective in the opposition’s half: the failures of Mackay, Solskjaer and Slade in realising so have led to the deterioration of his game, which I fear is beyond salvation.

The rise of Joe Ralls, predicted to be a City star, has only accelerated Whittingham’s downfall. Yet, Ralls has been forced to play on the left flank for the majority of the season, making way for Whittingham, much to the detriment of City’s performances.

The Bluebirds’ latest victory, a 3-2 win against Bolton, saw Ralls moved to the centre and Whittingham dropped. The 22 year-old, grasping the opportunity, had a pass accuracy of 84%, which is impressive considering the belligerent conditions. Alongside this, he performed 7 ‘take ons’ and shot three times: when was the last time Whittingham had the pace, skill and agility to beat a player?

Positioned on the wing, a position unfamiliar and not suited to his skills, the former Coventry player has still managed to be provider for 4 goals; imagine what he could do given the chance to play in his preferred role. Ralls provides a more potent threat going forward than his competitor.

Coupled with this, he is aggressive in his tackling and seldom refrains from ‘getting stuck in’ – an attributed required in England’s second tier. Undoubtedly, Ralls is the better option.

Football is a ruthless business, but it’s been kind on Peter Whittingham. The City hierarchy, blinded by their memories of his early days, where he established himself as one of the best in The Championship, refuse to accept that he no longer possesses the quality necessary. His performances do not merit his inclusion in the starting team: either play him where he needs to be played, or sell him.

http://insidecardiffcity.co.uk/time-bid ... ittingham/?

No.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Yours is a well written post. The answer to the question is no.

Whitts should just be an impact player.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

Whitts could be a key player in many sides.
But not this current one.

But

If, as many want, slade is pushed out, a new manager may call upon whitts

We have a limited amount of quality in the squad, we should keep the quality no get rid.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Total waste of time now as we will go unbeaten for the rest of the season as we'll own every 50% and key passes. No team will ever over power or over run us again, so we can play 2 up front every game home and away. We'll at least score a goal from a set play every game as anyone can take a corner or free kick.

We'll not concede more than one goal a game, because he is a defensive liability.

Yes, time to say farewell to Whitts because he is the root of all our issues. Lets think about it, we've achieved F.A .with him our team over the last 7 seasons........

Former Coventry player?

Totally disagree that Whitts nest position is in front of midfield and behind striker. He's never been a player good with his back to goal.

His legs have gone now so he should be used as a deep playmaker pulling the strings with Ralls and Gunnar around him as the energy. 2 pacey wingers / forwards off Kenwynne and the full backs providing width.

However totally pointless suggestion as Slade knows one way and one way only. 442 of which I'm sad to say as his number 1 fan means there's no place for Whitts in that formation anymore.

He played wide in DJs 442 so again what is the OP on about saying it's an unfamiliar position??

He's written an article saying 3 managers haven't played him in his right position when he's talking bollocks himself about his best position.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

We as mods/admin and certain posters try to bring articles printed in the press regarding Cardiff City to this forum so you can read it all in one place.

Some people will moan over anything.

Former Coventry player?

Totally disagree that Whitts is a number 10 in front of midfield and behind striker. He's never been a player good with his back to goal.

His legs have gone now so he should be used as a deep playmaker pulling the strings with Ralls and Gunnar around him as the energy. 2 pacey wingers / forwards off Kenwynne and the full backs providing width.

However totally pointless suggestion as Slade knows one way and one way only. 442 of which I'm sad to say as his number 1 fan means there's no place for Whitts in that formation anymore.

He played wide in DJs 442 so again what is the OP on about saying it's an unfamiliar position??

No point starting him under our 1980's set up, but while we have beaten another mid table team, then lost a 2 goal lead then beaten (away) a team that'd only won one game all season, then Slades tactic is working. We'll see.

Its not as if in Fabio and John we haven't got attacking full backs but Slade wants his system.

I think even the 40 odd believers are now even starting to see Whitts as an attacking liability.

I believe he can do a job when teams are tiring and we can go 5 in midfield and have him picking passes if he has good intelligent runners around him.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Fans what to read all about City, plus anything else to do with football, as we have done for the past 6 years, to be honest I am shocked at your comments coming from you.

Its had well over a 1,000 views

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

We as mods/admin and certain posters try to bring articles printed in the press regarding Cardiff City to this forum so you can read it all in one place.

Some people will moan over anything.

Correct Norm and keep them coming



Its had well over a 1,000 views

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Why do we need to search endless pages of crap when it can all be put here for you

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Fans what to read all about City, plus anything else to do with football, as we have done for the past 6 years, to be honest I am shocked at your comments coming from you.

Its had well over a 1,000 views

Hits Hits and more Hits

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Fans what to read all about City, plus anything else to do with football, as we have done for the past 6 years, to be honest I am shocked at your comments coming from you.

Its had well over a 1,000 views

Hits Hits and more Hits

Well it must show fans are interested in the topic, so whats your problem?

Why not post about Whitts instead of derailing the Topic?

I am honestly shocked at you as I always thought of you as a good poster

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Why do we need to search endless pages of crap when it can all be put here for you

Cheers, Glad you appreciate

If you don't want to read the article, don't click on it

Posting City links helps create talking points which is the point of the forum surely?

Anyway back to Whitts. He's not ready for the knacker's yard yet. Slade out, Whitts in.

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

We as mods/admin and certain posters try to bring articles printed in the press regarding Cardiff City to this forum so you can read it all in one place.

Some people will moan over anything.

Correct Norm and keep them coming



Its had well over a 1,000 views

can't please everyone I suppose.

If you don't want to read the article, don't click on it

Well I clicked on it lol.

God Old Annis don't half bite, at least it's taken his mind off the game tomorrow

Posting City links helps create talking points which is the point of the forum surely?

Anyway back to Whitts. He's not ready for the knacker's yard yet. Slade out, Whitts in.

I agree and Annis on 3 month respite

Total waste of time now as we will go unbeaten for the rest of the season as we'll own every 50% and key passes. No team will ever over power or over run us again, so we can play 2 up front every game home and away. We'll at least score a goal from a set play every game as anyone can take a corner or free kick.

We'll not concede more than one goal a game, because he is a defensive liability.

Yes, time to say farewell to Whitts because he is the root of all our issues. Lets think about it, we've achieved F.A .with him our team over the last 7 seasons........

Good post for a change Llan, you're becoming one of the elite enlightened ones

Yes he should have been moved on a few years ago.

Whitts has been a great and loyal player for us who will go down as a city legend once he's gone, but unfortunately his time with us is slowly coming to end. I wouldn't say he's completely finished yet, but is more suited to coming on near the end of a game to slow it down and finish the game off if we are winning. We have been extremely lucky to have a player like him at the club but this is now Ralls time to shine.

Oh dear what a shit article. As you all know I'm a massive Whitts fan and I really don't agree with what's been said in the article regarding saying farewell to Whitts. You would all regret the possible departure of Whitts in the near future. I agree he is not getting any younger and has lost some pace but let's not kid ourselves, did he ever have pace?? That is not his attribute and never has been. I agree Ralls should be in the centre with Dijkacoi/Gunnarson and Whitts with the latter further forward has that is where he causes most damage but our manager can't see that, that's hardly Whitts' fault is it?
I think a midfield rotation would be the way forward but who am I to say.
Peter Whittingham must stay

God this message board occasionally comes up with some C@@@

This is one Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

First its not anyone from this forum that has written the topic.

2nd I actually feel Whitts is way past his best and is now costly to City

I know that but it's yet another pasted column written elsewhere that can be read elsewhere!

This message board is starting to fill up with them (are we short of hits?)

As far as Whitts! He can still do a job.

The like of him will not be seen at this Club again IMO.

Fans what to read all about City, plus anything else to do with football, as we have done for the past 6 years, to be honest I am shocked at your comments coming from you.

Its had well over a 1,000 views

Agree 100%. At least it's about Cardiff City. It's about a stalwart of the club for many years. To see him discussed in terms of "the boot" is saddening, but the article was out there. Of course it should feature!

I get fed up with some of the posters on here who seem to want a chat line. It's a forum! We need as much info as possible (it saves me trawling the media for the latest news, gossip and betting).

I think the mods do a good job of finding stories of interest to football fans and in particular, City fans.

Thanks!