MALKY: WHITTS TO STICK WITH CITY

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay is enjoying the continued impact and ongoing professional development of Peter Whittingham, with the near six year club veteran playing another big part this season. And for Mackay, the message is clear. Whitts is staying put regardless of any January suitors.  

“Peter has signed new contracts since I’ve been at the club, in the summer signing a new long term deal with Cardiff City, outlining his ambitions for this football club,” Malky said, speaking with BBC Radio Wales' Rob Phillips today. “It’s nice when clubs take interest in your players, but he’s certainly not going to be going anywhere in January, that’s a promise.

“I was very strong in my views to our owners in terms of us building a team to challenge and for that our best players need to be here, of which Whitts falls into that category. But at the same time he’s got to feel it’s the right environment for him, to feel wanted and to be enjoying his football as a part of something that’s growing. That was something I was keen to show him was certainly the case.”  

While 28 year old Whittingham’s overall game has clearly stepped up yet another gear over the last eighteen months, he still remains a dead ball specialist, much to the benefit of the club’s league standing.

“It’s something we felt that with a little bit of practice on the training ground we could benefit from, both from his delivery and the runs from set pieces, with players wanting to aggressively attack the ball,” Malky continued. “That pays off as has been seen over the last few months. He’s someone who myself and my staff are constantly pushing to be better and better, because of the talent that the boy has and the type of person that he is. He could play at the highest level, no matter what, though I want that to be with me.”