' PETER WHITTINGHAM? ? ? '

Is Peter Whittingham needed back in the side?


By Chris Wathan


It can't be denied that Whittingham's powers are on the wane, certainly in terms of consistency over 90 minutes or a string of games, but that did not mean it was not a surprise to see him dropped to the bench against Norwich.

Given the influence he seemed to have once he appeared at Carrow Road, it was a further surprise to not see him involved from the off against Preston.

The thought might be that Cardiff need more drive and legs in the midfield, but at a time where creativity is lacking then Whittingham could well be needed in terms of a recall.

At the very least, his deliveries from set-piece remain of a superb quality which can't be sneezed at at this point of time.

Perhaps more than anything, Whittingham was one of few who looked like they really cared when he came on and, despite his quiet man demeanour, wasn't afraid to let a few others know his thoughts.





Are you happy with Paul Trollopes current midfield?

This would depend on how Trollope wants to set up, but it's frustratingly clear that he has not settled on the right balance of the midfield three, regardless of formation.

Emyr Huws was given a first start but disappointed in a big way while Joe Ralls has struggled to get going so far this year.

Lex Immers has his qualities but has been shy in showing them and there are still big gaps between the front men and those supposed to link with them.

Only Aaron Gunnarsson has come out with much credit in these two games in a protective role but, if Trollope opts to bring Whittingham back, the side could be left with the middle two that faced such criticism for not having legs.

It's an alchemy to have the right player doing the right job in the right role to bring the best out of others around them, and it's not quite there yet.

A big selection call awaits.

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Its all gone quiet from the usual Whitts bashers...... Legs, energy & aggression are fine in the lower level, but you need quality the higher you go.

Even Slade managed to work out how to get Immer, Whitts and Pilks into the same team but I am slightly concerned that Trollope is struggling to suss it out.

Whitts / O'Keefe looked the perfect combo towards the end of last season and i cant see a reason why that wouldn't be any different this season.

IMHO - We are playing Gunnar to get him in the shop window, so if he is our sitter we need to push Whitts into that narrow left channel because Whitts and Gunnar doesn't work.

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Vince Alm

Whittingham Top player still has plenty of quality contrary to some opinion he does care for the club. First name on my sheet every week I'd rather have an hour from him on the pitch than any other player in the squad currently

Maybe a little brake will make him hungry again? 90 minutes hungry. There is no other place for him in that system but sitting midfielder. And that is where he will be, awentually.

Maybe a little brake will make him hungry again? 90 minutes hungry. There is no other place for him in that system but sitting midfielder. And that is where he will be, awentually.

I think you might be spot on there

He needs a wake up call now and again, then you see the best in Whitts

Has to start Sat I would have him in front of Gunnar and Ralls in a midfield three.

Maybe a little brake will make him hungry again? 90 minutes hungry. There is no other place for him in that system but sitting midfielder. And that is where he will be, awentually.

I think you might be spot on there

He needs a wake up call now and again, then you see the best in Whitts

I agree when whitts is out of form dropping him to the bench is usually the most effective way of getting him back into form but this season he has consistently been one of our best performers, he might not have been as stand out as Declan in the first few games or Harris since he's broke into the squad but his passing and creativity has been head and shoulders above anyone else in the team. Baffles me why he's been taken out of the starting 11, Ralls should be given a rest as he's been below par for a while now. A midfield 3 of gunnars huws and whitts would have a nice look too it in my opinion, hopefully Trollope will be thinking the same for Saturday.

Its all gone quiet from the usual Whitts bashers...... Legs, energy & aggression are fine in the lower level, but you need quality the higher you go.

Even Slade managed to work out how to get Immer, Whitts and Pilks into the same team but I am slightly concerned that Trollope is struggling to suss it out.

Whitts / O'Keefe looked the perfect combo towards the end of last season and i cant see a reason why that wouldn't be any different this season.

IMHO - We are playing Gunnar to get him in the shop window, so if he is our sitter we need to push Whitts into that narrow left channel because Whitts and Gunnar doesn't work.

Totally agree.

Okeefe can not come back quick enough to replace Gunnarsson as the 'engine' because hes got far more than just legs to his game.