What next for Peter Whittingham?

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At the beginning of the season I would never have imagined MM omitting Peter Whittingham from the starting XI. However after an indifferent period of form, Whitts was dropped and Kim Bo Kyung and Jordon Mutch were introduced into a revamped five man midfield. The improvement in City's attacking play in particular, has been quite remarkable since the change was made. Kimbo has been quite outstanding. So where does this leave Whittingham? Could it be, that after being the driving force in midfield and our outstanding player over the last three seasons, he will be simply be a bit part player when City finally take their place in the Premier League next season.

Caer y Glyn wrote:It would be lovely if we see a trademark Whitts 20 yarder tonight!

Although only as a sub, as I hope the same midfield three start tonight. Let's not change things now when it is going so well

Whitts never displays too many emotions, but this gives a good idea of what he's gone through over the years, and how ambitious he is:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2309518/Peter-Whittingham-Cardiff-got-promotion-Charlton.html

I've no doubt he will be very keen to make his mark in the prem.

I think people have to be careful not to get carried away. Kim has been excellent in the last few games, but that's all its been, a few games. I'm not saying that he won't or can't keep it up, but until he's shown consistency over at least a full season, he's still unproven imo.

That's a great article and there's no doubt that Whitts still has a very important role to play at the club. I do think he needs - and has in some respects, earned - a rest.

So easy to forget how much this club have achieved in the last five years. Even if we didn't win any of it, it's still incredible really.

He is a fantastic player but isn't able to play every game.

Being in the prem should help him IMO because there are less games & better players that can replace him so that he doesn't need to be run into the ground.

Whitts will be a massive player for us next season and when other teams see he can play at the top flight the offers will come flying in and it will be hard for Malky to keep hold of him.

I want to see a midfield trio of Kim, Mutch and Whitts play together. I know there's a lot of love for Aron but his skill set is rather limited and I am not convinced his huff and puff has the required class for the league above. At times he has looked rather 4th division this year.

Caer y Glyn wrote:I want to see a midfield trio of Kim, Mutch and Whitts play together. I know there's a lot of love for Aron but his skill set is rather limited and I am not convinced his huff and puff has the required class for the league above. At times he has looked rather 4th division this year.

I understand what you are saying but I must confess I heart Aron.
There is no doubt that others are more technically gifted but I feel these gifted players need to be supported by the toughie, who puts a foot in, protects the back four and of course the added bonuses of his assists and goals. He is our Keane/Viera (I am not saying same standard as them) and still pretty young so may yet rise to these great heights but I am biased. I think this is the role Kiss was originally fulfilling.

Kate wrote:

Caer y Glyn wrote:I want to see a midfield trio of Kim, Mutch and Whitts play together. I know there's a lot of love for Aron but his skill set is rather limited and I am not convinced his huff and puff has the required class for the league above. At times he has looked rather 4th division this year.

I understand what you are saying but I must confess I heart Aron.
There is no doubt that others are more technically gifted but I feel these gifted players need to be supported by the toughie, who puts a foot in, protects the back four and of course the added bonuses of his assists and goals. He is our Keane/Viera (I am not saying same standard as them) and still pretty young so may yet rise to these great heights but I am biased. I think this is the role Kiss was originally fulfilling.

Kiss & Gunnarsson arrived at the same time and I think the idea was that they would be interchangeable. That may still happen.

I agree that someone like Gunnarsson is a vital part of most midfield units. I have always followed Spurs as well and the excellent team of the 80s that included Glenn Hoddle, Ricky Villa and Ossie Ardilles also had Graham Roberts who really held everything together and let the creative players get on with the fancy stuff........