He's doing okay huh? Looks like he might be the final piece of the puzzle for this season. I was thinking it quite unusual for the league leaders at this stage of the season to not have a striker banging them in for fun although there is nothing wrong with the rest of the team scoring for fun instead
3 goals in his first 3 games Thai. Our top scorer has 8. We haven't got a scorer in the top 15 in the division. Can't say I'm complaining though.
Not long at this rate. Tough game against a big, physical Brighton coming up on Tuesday. Another brace will be nice.
Not sure Malky will start him so soon after today, he cramped up and 2/3 days might not be enough. As you say Brighton are a physical side so he might start with HH and give Campbell 35/40 mins. I'd like to see Whitts dropped our worst player today and has not been at his best for some time.
Whitts has been a star for a long time but it sounds like he could do with a rest. I'd like to see Kimbo given a run out in the centre of the park. Noone left, Smith right and Kimbo in the middle, or maybe Ralls. Bellamy and Mason up front with Campbell for the last 20-30.
Team selection against Brighton could be interesting. With this squad we could make two or three changes and not weaken the eleven that starts. I don't get to many games but I will be at this one. Looking forward to another three points.
Continuing DJ's Whitt's point - it's interesting. Whitts has been nothing like at his best since well before Christmas. The thing is, a half decent Whitts could be the safer bet than changing that pivotal role - and we all know Malky likes "safe". Although we have a far more complete squad now, there is no obvious replacement for him at this point, with the possible exception of Joe Ralls. Whitts has all the ability in the world but he is very much a confidence player. I doubt that he needs a rest as much as he needs a goal or two. He didn't have a good creative game at all again yesterday, but he was pivotal in the keep-ball game we played in the second half - he wasn't so much in front of the back four, he was actually part of it. Whether that was instructions from the touchline or his own choice I don't know. He seems reluctant to get anywhere near the opposition box these days where we know he do so much damage from his 20 odd goal season a couple of years back. Ralls in his place would be my choice - Joe has terrific ability for a young man and is more adventurous - but is Malky?
If it ain't broke don't mend it. Yes, Whitts needs a goal or two from a confidence point of view but everything ticks over through him whether he is playing 4/5 yard, 30 yard passes or closing down and winning the ball - a part of his game much improved this season. I'm not sure Ralls is right for central midfield and in that role. I haven't seen evidence that he has Whitts sort of vision. Also, I think Kimbo is too light weight to play there. Mutch is the obvious cover but he hasn't shown us much (no pun intended) so far. Got to stick with Whitts. He will come good. I will stop predicting him to score. That'll do the trick.
Bluey - I meant "Ralls in his place would be my choice" only on the assumption Malky was going to change things. Personally, I doubt that's anywhere near his thinking at the moment, and certainly not against a strong outfit like Brighton on Tuesday. Unless Whitt's head goes down and he asks for a break, Malky will play him right through, and I also believe he should.
I don't think Whitts should be rested, he's just playing a different role. His job seems to be playing very deep and playing the pass to get the attacking players going.This is where his vision comes in to play, he knows who is going to make the run and knows where they are going. The only change I would make is getting him to take more of the free kicks and corners. Bellamy seems to be taking more of them lately.
Who gets the say on that? Is it a matter of team policy from Malky or decided on the pitch If it's decided on the pitch between the two players concerned, I'd have thought Beller's forceful personality would swamp anything Whitts has to say on the matter - he's not the most demonstrative person.
We like to play in swinging corners so Bellers from the left and Whitts from the right. I thought Whitts was hitting them too deep yesterday. With our knowledge of Heaton's dislike for crosses I would have been sticking them right under the crossbar (if I was playing and had the ability) and then getting Gunnar to stand on Heaton's toes. Simples!!! As for free kicks it was about 50/50 yesterday with Bellamy the more threatening of the two. Our kicks from just outside the box are poor though. Gentle bendy things. What about the Ronaldo/Bale school of free kicks? Bellamy's 35 yard effort was more like it.
I don't think Whitts is hitting the deadballs, particularly free kicks, with any confidence. Last season and earlier this, you'd back him to stretch the keeper at least, and as often as not get it past him. Recently he seems to be a bit limp wristed (limp ankled?) with the attempts. Confidence issue again I suspect. Never mind - one or two going in will bring it all back.
Blue, if you stop predicting him, I will have to also, as I copy your predictions! I like it near the bottom see!
I thought Whitts had a fairly good game yesterday, but I would rest him for a game or two. He is definitely a bit jaded through too much play and I would rather have a good Whitts for the (main) run in than one that's seen too much of the pitch. We have the depth to do this and I think now would be a good time, or at least after the Brighton game.
Have you ever thought that perhaps, now that Whitts is playing with better players he does not stand out so much ? I know we have had Bothroyd,Chopra in the past,but neither of these would make our bench now. Not a dig at Whitts,who I still believe does a great job for us. Its just that we have a heck of a good side now filled with class players. But being Cardiff we are so negative, with good reason through past experiences, that we don't realise that we have the best squad in the championship by far, as they say the table doesn't lie.
Fair point. While he has not recently scored the spectacular goals we have become accustomed to (and not had any penalties either) he continues to do the simple things well in terms of keeping possession, short passing to keep play ticking over, being available for others, marking and tackling and even winning the odd header. I would also agree however that he is a little below the high standard he has set himself - as evidenced by the poor qulaity of his free kicks lately. No worries though it will all come back and tomorrow night will be a good time.
