NEW BOY GAVIN IS PROVING A BIT OF ALL WHYTE
WITH all the furore that surrounded signing strikers and midfielders at Cardiff this summer, Gavin Whyte’s acquisition appeared to slip under the radar.
On the surface, at least, the deal looked to be relatively unspectacular, a £2m signing from League One outfit Oxford United.
Neil Warnock spoke highly of the 23-year-old, who had impressed in pre-season games and on the training ground.
Truth told, he has been a bit of a slow burner with some fans. Some have bemoaned his perceived lack of quality in the final third, while others have called for other wingers to play ahead of him.
Lest we forget, Warnock has an embarrassment of riches in that department: Josh Murphy, Junior Hoilett and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing all have pedigree at this level and are vying for two wing berths.
But it is Whyte who is the preferred choice. Yes, in many ways the Northern Ireland international is a quintessential Warnock-type player. His industry and work rate in defence provides a seemingly unflappable defensive solidity on the right-hand side.
But with goals something of a premium this season, some sections of the Bluebirds’ fanbase were calling for a more attacking, more threatening, winger to fill that spot on the right-hand side of the striker.
Warnock has stuck with him, however, and he is beginning to reap the rewards. The Whyte we are seeing now bears little resemblance to the player who began the season.
He turned out his best display in a Cardiff City shirt against Middlesbrough, working tirelessly in tandem with Lee Peltier in defence, but also growing in confidence with the ball at his feet.
“I always tell him, ‘when you get it, run at them. Inside, outside, go and enjoy it’,” Warnock said after the game. “And he looks like he’s enjoying it.”
He certainly does. And why wouldn’t he? He has the full support of the manager, is maturing with each passing week and is well and truly endearing himself to the fans.
The jet-heeled winger is now tearing past opposition wingbacks and his crossing and decision-making is markedly improved.
He can still do more in attack. He can threaten the goal more often and he could be a little smarter in how he draws fouls from opposition defenders, but he provides a balance which suits this Warnock side and is becoming hugely important.
“I think Lee Peltier has got a good chance of playing for England if Gavin Whyte keeps on playing in front of him,” the manager joked after the game.
“He plays with a cigar, Peltier, with Whyte in front of him.”
A cigar, perhaps, but it is champagne City are aiming for at the end of the season.
And while he might not have been the marquee, glitzy transfer many were yearning for throughout the summer window, the diminutive winger will doubtless play a vital role in any potential promotion push this term.
An early own goal from Ashley Fletcher was enough to ensure Cardiff earned a crucial 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough.
Winger Josh Murphy whipped in a dangerous corner after just two minutes and striker Fletcher tried to clear the danger but his misguided header flew past Darren Randolph to hand the hosts the lead.
The result means the Bluebirds are now undefeated in their last five league outings and are yet to be beaten at home this season, but it was far from a complete performance.