When Ryan Wintle strode out at Cardiff City Stadium on Satur

When Ryan Wintle strode out at Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday with the captain's arm band around his left bicep, it must have represented a pretty sweet moment for him.

It is some turnaround for a player who started 2022 on loan with Championship rivals Blackpool, having been sent out immediately at the beginning of the campaign following his free transfer from Crewe Alexandra 12 months ago.

It made the decision to hand him to the Seasiders look utterly bizarre, with Mick McCarthy having started the season with Marlon Pack and Leandro Bacuna as two nailed-on starters, with Sam Bowen seemingly keeping Wintle out of the picture.

Fast forward 12 months and the picture is looking very different indeed.

In a strange way going to Blackpool could have helped him He was playing and in that period he discovered he was easily capable of playing at this level If he had stayed with us MM would have made him a bit part player and that would have done nothing for his confidence
Man of the match for me on Saturday

Strange decision indeed.
I did hear that the main reason behind it was a personal one, something like his Mrs was pregnant at the time and didn’t fancy the move at that time so ccfc agreed to the loan.

Thought he was outstanding on Saturday and kept Cantwell quiet all game, which is pretty impressive as Cantwell is a top Championship player in his own right.

Thought he was outstanding on Saturday and kept Cantwell quiet all game, which is pretty impressive as Cantwell is a top Championship player in his own right.

What I like about him is that he’s not a ‘destroyer’ with thunderous challenges etc. he just seems to read the game do well, always playing the correct pass and making it all look so easy.