Wingers Under-Performing For Cardiff City

Cardiff City are blessed with an abundance of talent on their flanks this season with a number of creative and skillfull options for Dave Jones to choose from. Another bonus of switching Joe Ledley to central midfield was that it allowed another winger to be included.


Miguel Comminges was used solely in midfield during pre-season, and Dave Jones was thought to be keen on converting the former Swindon full-back into a midfield wideman – However, Comminges has barely played a minute in that position and has looked less than convincing as a full-back.


Paul Parry, Peter Whittingham, Chris Burke and Quincy are the wide players fighting for the two starting positions for the Bluebirds. In recent weeks, Parry and Whittingham have occupied those spaces. Despite a defeat at Norwich, DJ felt Paul Parry played well in a right back emergency role – I felt differently.


Paul Parry is simply not delivering the goods on a consistent basis. He has put in some excellent periods of play, terrorising defenders and scoring a few goals but over 90 minutes – his contribution is insufficient. I see Jones’ logic in including him alongsite Whittingham as Parry is far more prone to remain wide, possesses more pace and is more likely to reach the by-line. However, the crossing is poor, the runs rare amd Parry’s place should be under intense scrutiny.


Whittingham could be accused of exactly the same and can you remember a game where he impressed for a prolonged period? Where he caused problems not just in one isolate incident….but over a half or heaven forbid a 90 minutes game! Whittingham offers little width on the right, and is more likely to be found roaming infield. Thats OK if he were able to grasp possession and dictate play – but he doesn’t and as such, we are too narrow and without an outlet on the right. incidentally, how are we being over-run in central midfield with Whittingham often tucking in? I don’t know, but Whitts hardly featured in the past few games save for his late goal against Barnsley. Inconsistency and lack of impact are what we are getting from Whitts right now.


Chris Burke has shown signs of potential, but not nearly enough. he isn’t a new player anymore, and needs to offer far more than we’ve seen. Yes he’s tidy, compact, offers width and a few tricks – but there’s no end product, no real threat. He has lost his place, and failed to make an impact as a sub. I have to say he was excellent against Coventry away, but so were the team – we need someone who can produce when others aren’t – Ledley does it, Koumas did it every week!


Quincy is more of a new boy and has had little gametime to impress. He has looked dangerous, but again there is no end product. He does have the confidence to run, try tricks and have a shot but as yet – he hasn’t really threatened. Hopefully there’s more to come and he already has growing support for a starting place.


These are four good widemen – but only on one or perhaps two occasions all season could any have been named man of the match. Wingers are a priceless commodity in today’s game, they need to create panic and danger and chip in with the goals. We want 90 minute performances not sporadic contributions and the occasional burst or flick. None should be considered safe in their place in the side, or on the bench.


There are growing calls for Ledley to be switched back out wide to allow Stephen McPhail back in. Thats a sign of fans’ growing disappointment with Parry, Whittingham and co.