If we aspire to play in the top tier, Whitts is one of the few players at the club who would do well at that level. Whether he can be instrumental in actually getting us there with his sometimes "invisible" performances is another matter.
Having said that, I would much rather have him playing for us than against us - he can be devastating on his day going forward even if his defensive capabilities can be questioned.
Malky needs to get gritty players around him to let him do his work. His statement tends to suggest that's just what he's going to do.