Whittaker

[ivoralljack]

Seems there's a recall clause in his loan contract and I hope Martin brings him back. He's got 9 goals and 7 assists for Plymouth so far and, whilst that's in a league below us, Whitts must be chock full of confidence right now. A big squad will be vital for the run in and Whitts could/should be a valuable part of it. Plymouth are top of their division and I suggest they are not far behind the Swans in terms of quality. Trouble is, Whitts is very happy down there playing in his favourite position and might resent coming back to Martin who'll chop and change and likely have him filling in wherever. I'd still like to see the player back here because he has ability but the player has to want to be here otherwise he'll just go through the motions.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Since Obafemi is not doing himself or us any favors, then recalling Whittaker makes sense. It would give Martin the option of sitting out Piroe and playing both Cullen and Whittaker to provide a more mobile front line. Piroe is not our future. He lacks speed - nowhere near sharp enough for the Prem

 

[ivoralljack]

I think Whitts is on record as saying he likes to play as a 10 because he's more involved there. How Martin feels about how that would affect his team and favoured line-up is anyones' guess. Whatever, I still think that Whitts in his present form is a valuable option to have.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

Whitaker between Cooper and Fulton/Cundle, would make a potent line

 

[Behindthegoal]

I’d rather he was here but it wouldn’t do him any good to sit on the bench for 80+ minutes per game.

 

[The Blobster]

Just read that Whitaker has been recalled by the Swans.
Let's hope Martin makes proper use of his talents and doesn't let him stagnate on the bench .

 

[Behindthegoal]

He wants to play no.10, so he certainly won’t be starting every match, if any.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

This can only mean that Obafemi is persona non grata, and perhaps Flex is also being recalled. No doubt Flinn was recalled through lack of use. I can only imagine that Flex, club and agent are none too pleased.

 

[jackodiamonds]

Hammers fans were talking up Oko-Flex a lot when he came to Swansea. He's seen as a real future first teamer. Moyes, their fans and probably Oko-Flex himself probably expected him to be playing most weeks. It's a shame Martin hasn't found a way to use him more. If Martin played a back four more often - and the results say he should - there might have been a more obvious place for him in the team.

As for Whittaker, his recall surely means either Obafemi is being sold, or Whittaker is. More likely the former (hopefully). And with Patterson allegedly also being told to move on, Whittaker could see opportunities at 9 and 10. I'm sure you all know how much I rate Whittaker, so this is exciting news to me... if Martin plays him. He played with more enthusiasm in that single half of football against Cardiff than 80% of this team has done all season.

 

[CroJack]

That's a great news.

 

[Victoria Swan]

Not so sure it's great news for Whittaker! Martin's comments make it clear this is not his choice but rather the choice of Josh Marsh and Julian Winter. Hence there's not likely much playing time ahead for him, especially not in the #10 role. If he does see playing time it will probably be another 'square peg in a round hole' with him playing out on the wing or in an up front striker role. I'm guessing the most likely explanation for the recall is that Winter wants to sell him (to Ipswich?) to make some money that can be used in the January window for a winger or wing-back. Given his excellent goal-scoring record (for us and Plymouth) we've treated him pretty badly compared to someone like Piroe. This recall is obviously not in the player's best interest.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

I think Cooper / Whittaker / Fulton or Cundle would make an excellent trio behind Cullen. I wonder how many yellow cards Piroe is on.

 

[CroJack]

Not so sure it's great news for Whittaker!

Who knows? Maybe it's a great news for him as well if he plays regularly and scores many goals for us.

He is our player, we need him, and we have every right to recall him from his loan spell.

 

[CroJack]

Hence there's not likely much playing time ahead for him, especially not in the #10 role.

What about Oli Cooper and Whittaker behind the striker, whoever it is?

 

[Victoria Swan]

What about Oli Cooper and Whittaker behind the striker, whoever it is?

You really think Martin - who has said he didn't really want him back - is going to play him there in a starting XI? Maybe in one of his specialty 88th minute substitutions.

 

[Behindthegoal]

Keep it up, boys!
Maybe Martin will start him just to prove us wrong.

 

[CroJack]

You really think Martin - who has said he didn't really want him back - is going to play him there in a starting XI? Maybe in one of his specialty 88th minute substitutions.

Martin didn't want to play Benda, Fulton, Oli Cooper, and Cullen. He didn't want to play four at the back either. His wet dream was Naughton in the middle of the back three and Fisher as a goalie. These two were supposed to be play-makers in the passing-from-the-back-masturbation of a football style. We all know how that panned out.

What I really think is that the Watford game saved Martin's ass for now and if the club hierarchy recalled Whittaker behind Martin's back, then that's probably the end of Martin as our manager.

 

[jackodiamonds]

Oh stop teasing Hope you're right. I have this theory that Norwich would like Martin to get sacked so they can take him without compo, and Martin tried his best to do that by tanking the Burnley game by taking J & J off when they were clearly the best players and best chance of a result. Swans board are wise enough to see the ruse and they're holding on to force Norwich to pay up, knowing they have to act soon.

I'm not entirely serious btw, but I do wonder. I think Norwich will get Wagner or Hoeness this week.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

On a more pragmatic side, there is a stark difference in the performance we are seeing from Club product and pre-Martin acquisitions versus the players Martin pined and paid for. Look at Fisher, Darling, Obafemi, Paterson, Wood, Walsh even Piroe … always injured or “lame” in some way or another, or one season wonders. Do the Club trust Martin to spend money … did he ever whine about that during the Burnley post-match … or get players in, like Whittaker, that are ours and demonstrating value. No brainer for me. B Cooper was sent out to give him match time otherwise he would be festering in the stands … Martin won’t play him. He is a Club product who has never let us down when started and every bit as good as Wood and Darling. He’ll be starting for us next season when Martin is gone.

the subbing of J&J was either self-sabotage or grossly incompetent. It ripped the heart out of our midfield.

then there’s Flex … any other manager would be delighted to weave him into the line-up, but not Martin, clearly Flex was given to him instead of being asked for. Not a Pet, Not played. Flinn was brought in to provide options at WB. Never given a chance. Not a Pet. Not played.

it would be interesting to listen to the deliberations of player acquisition, valuation and utilization.

 

[Yankee_Jack]

We have an FA cup tie this weekend. What will Martin do for this fixture. Will he experiment with Whittaker as #10 instead of Piroe. He's probably going to play Fisher.