Woodsey green - great post, that's a view I have had on Whittaker for a while now, he is an influential player for us but he needs a good foil to really threaten, the loss of Azaz as highlighted this.This may not be a popular view but I don't think Whittaker is good enough (yet) for a top club. We know he has a wand of a left foot but his overall game is too one-dimensional to make him successful against top defenders.
His record against the best teams in our league this season has been poor - 1 goal and 1 assist in 10 games against Leeds, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton.
Someone will take a punt on him purely because of his goal tally, but in my view there isn't enough there to worry top-flight defenders.
I’m never totally sure when people suggest his record against better teams isn’t good enough. Quite often we are playing with 20-30% possession in those games and he’s being asked to perform a more defensive role too supporting the wingback. His record in a team that is down the bottom of the division is outstanding and will make him stand out. I’m not sure if he will go onto be a success or not but I’m definitely enjoying having him in free.This may not be a popular view but I don't think Whittaker is good enough (yet) for a top club. We know he has a wand of a left foot but his overall game is too one-dimensional to make him successful against top defenders.
His record against the best teams in our league this season has been poor - 1 goal and 1 assist in 10 games against Leeds, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton.
Someone will take a punt on him purely because of his goal tally, but in my view there isn't enough there to worry top-flight defenders.
I completely agree with that. If we had the money to bring in other players of a similar calibre then he would get more space etc as we would no longer be one dimensional up front.Some of the critique seems a bit harsh on whittaker. I can't be harsh because I was telling myself the same about Azaz when he left (and I was his number 1 fanboy!). It's only now he's gone it's glaringly obvious what a gulf he's left and just how good he was.
He definitely has the tools in his toolbox to beat a man he does it every game. He's strong, quick, has great vision, actually two good feet but a very good left foot, and seems bulletproof - he's played close to every minute of every game and has never had so much as a niggle. His touch is silky, he can find space in tight areas, he's very mobile and hunts space to receive the ball. He's only what, 23?
However since before Christmas and particularly since Azaz left other teams are fully aware he's basically our only threat. It's not just the lack of any quality attacking midfielders behind him who can spot a pass. He's double and triple marked every game, and never gets an inch of space. Against the top teams, in particular when we sit deep, he's often extremely isolated and is rarely given the ball so it's no bloomin wonder he's not been prolific against them! This is exacerbated by the 5 at the back we've been playing since Schuey left. It means even against teams like Rotherham he has to work very hard to get involved, and has been snatching any opportunity he gets as soon as he's within 20 yards of the opponent's box. He was still our match-winner in that game. His recent form is more a reflection of how low the quality of our squad is than anything else.
In spite of all this, and his recent struggles, he's still a rolls-royce of a player who stands out against any opposition. His, poise, touch, strength and balance standout a mile, he glides across the pitch. There's a reason his fellow pros have voted him into the team of the season. He'll learn how to play better in situations like he's been in with us, but I doubt he'll be in them again. I actually believe he'll get better playing with better players at a higher level, especially with the lower pace of the game almost anywhere else but the Championship more importantly not being the sole focus of any opponent's defensive gameplan. We'll have to be going some to replace him, that's for sure.
This type of price would be great! Think there's a decent chance we'd accept a bit lower though.£20 million upfront plus add one
Why would we? He's worth every penny of that with his stats.This type of price would be great! Think there's a decent chance we'd accept a bit lower though.
I don't disagree with you. Think we should play hardball for £20m and see what happens.Why would we? He's worth every penny of that with his stats.
Not if we invest the money to strengthen the squad all round rather than relying on one player who is inconsistent. Anyway we won't get anywhere near 20m.I get what you're saying, but his value to us is more than that. We'd get more than that with him staying and helping the club stay up, especially with Swansea getting a decent chunk. We've got where we are by being smarter, selling a player for a fraction of their worth isn't smarter.
You forgot his greed and hanging onto posession far too long.Some of the critique seems a bit harsh on whittaker. I can't be harsh because I was telling myself the same about Azaz when he left (and I was his number 1 fanboy!). It's only now he's gone it's glaringly obvious what a gulf he's left and just how good he was.
He definitely has the tools in his toolbox to beat a man he does it every game. He's strong, quick, has great vision, actually two good feet but a very good left foot, and seems bulletproof - he's played close to every minute of every game and has never had so much as a niggle. His touch is silky, he can find space in tight areas, he's very mobile and hunts space to receive the ball. He's only what, 23?
However since before Christmas and particularly since Azaz left other teams are fully aware he's basically our only threat. It's not just the lack of any quality attacking midfielders behind him who can spot a pass. He's double and triple marked every game, and never gets an inch of space. Against the top teams, in particular when we sit deep, he's often extremely isolated and is rarely given the ball so it's no bloomin wonder he's not been prolific against them! This is exacerbated by the 5 at the back we've been playing since Schuey left. It means even against teams like Rotherham he has to work very hard to get involved, and has been snatching any opportunity he gets as soon as he's within 20 yards of the opponent's box. He was still our match-winner in that game. His recent form is more a reflection of how low the quality of our squad is than anything else.
In spite of all this, and his recent struggles, he's still a rolls-royce of a player who stands out against any opposition. His, poise, touch, strength and balance standout a mile, he glides across the pitch. There's a reason his fellow pros have voted him into the team of the season. He'll learn how to play better in situations like he's been in with us, but I doubt he'll be in them again. I actually believe he'll get better playing with better players at a higher level, especially with the lower pace of the game almost anywhere else but the Championship more importantly not being the sole focus of any opponent's defensive gameplan. We'll have to be going some to replace him, that's for sure.