Yellow Green Army 236 Posted December 2, 2012 What are peoples thoughts? Have to say that I was not overly impressed by his transfer in the summer but has proved me wrong. A real shrewd signing by Hughton. Whittaker has real class, experience and lots of confidence to go along with it.Russell Martin has got his work cut out to get back in the team now! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,352 Posted December 2, 2012 He''s very good and deserves his place. I didn''t really think anything before though because I had never seen him play. What did those people who didn''t rate him base their opinions on? I think he will be at a disadvantage for a while yet though because I have noticed a tendency on here to pick up on his (and Turner''s) mistakes more than other defenders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cantiaci Canary 556 Posted December 2, 2012 [quote user="nutty nigel"]He''s very good and deserves his place. I didn''t really think anything before though because I had never seen him play. What did those people who didn''t rate him base their opinions on?[/quote] Just that he played in the SPL I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Salopian 1 Posted December 2, 2012 He seems a very sensible player, who maintains concentration well. He makes a few mistakes, especially in passing, as all of them are doing currently. He''s certainly no worse than anyone else in defence in this respect. My only doubt is over pace, where he has been left by quick wingers, but again this is true of Garrido. This seems to me to be one area in defence which is a cause for concern, and which other teams may well seek to exploit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 261 Posted December 2, 2012 Started solidly but some lack of pace and concentration concerns over the last couple of games. So far martin seems more consistent. both plenty good enough for this season but Neither quite as good as naughton which should be next runners standard of signing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted December 2, 2012 Not the best player ever, but certainly good enough.Wasn''t an exiting signing, but he was one who I thought most people were happy enough with, solid defender. Ok only from the SPL, and many people wanted Naughton back. But he''s experienced and has taken over from Martin well enough. Not perfect, but good enough to keep his place in the team. Even though I still think I prefer Martin, but thats partly because he''s been here longer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
First Wizard 0 Posted December 2, 2012 Shakey today I thought and I''d have Russ back ASAP. But its CH''s call and he''s not done too bad lately! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 929 Posted December 2, 2012 Thought he was solid today, as he''s been in every game he''s played. Good signing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aggy 739 Posted December 2, 2012 Didn''t think he did much wrong today, certainly didn''t think he looked shaky. Was at fault for Everton''s goal last weekend, but other than that I don''t think he''s made too many big mistakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chelmsford Canary 0 Posted December 2, 2012 Agree, thought he was not going to move Russell Martin - he has proved me wrong! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RvWs 4 year contract 0 Posted December 2, 2012 [quote user="Making Plans"]Thought he was solid today, as he''s been in every game he''s played. Good signing[/quote]Did you not see him getting destroyed v Everton and Southampton? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,352 Posted December 2, 2012 [quote user="Grant Holts 3 year contract"][quote user="Making Plans"]Thought he was solid today, as he''s been in every game he''s played. Good signing[/quote]Did you not see him getting destroyed v Everton and Southampton?[/quote] Well I was at Southampton and didn''t see that. I think he made one mistake at Everton for the goal but only watched highlights on TV. We remained solid in both games too. As we did today. The fact that''s the case even though we lost Turner, Martin and Ruddy is testament to the strength of our squad. In my time we have never had a squad this strong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJP 79 Posted December 2, 2012 Quite like the look of Whittaker so far. Seems to have more of an idea on the ball than Russell Martin and is defending at least as well. I think some people are either forgetting or turning a blind eye to how often Martin gets beaten by a winger or wastes attacking positions with a poor cross. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wes the wizzard 0 Posted December 4, 2012 I think hes an awsome siging, i know everyone seems to turn their noses up at SPL players saying they havnt got the quality to play in the EPL but id highly disagree, at least if you play for celtic/rangers you are in one of the best teams in the league and there for other teams to try beat you, you will have played in europe at some point, not to mention playing for celtic/rangers is obviously going to condition you for tough games and how to play in diferent kind of atmospheres created by the fans (hostile/dead) all good experience if you ask me. Not to mention hes going to be busting a gut to play for us, this is a make or break move for him, for any rangers player thats moved on to be fair, because even though they are now in the scottish 3rd div, they are/were one of the biggest teams in the world, and you cant move from one of the biggest teams in the world to another. just to find yourself being phased out of that team and eventually fading away all together to play, well in the scottish 3rd division!! I beleive we will see the best out of whittaker and would say theres plenty more to come from him!Any defender who has got the nuts to go on like this when given the chance has got my vote too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv26UQV64Vo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Webbo118 0 Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="Gingerpele"]Not the best player ever, but certainly good enough. Wasn''t an exiting signing, but he was one who I thought most people were happy enough with, solid defender. Ok only from the SPL, and many people wanted Naughton back. But he''s experienced and has taken over from Martin well enough. Not perfect, but good enough to keep his place in the team. Even though I still think I prefer Martin, but thats partly because he''s been here longer.[/quote] Which players are? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vazzza 62 Posted December 4, 2012 Maybe not a popular thought, but I feel he is worlds better than R.Martin.I''ve never been a big Martin fan (When playing at full back), he gets beat far too easily by anyone with even a smidge of pace or skill. I always preferred him at CB as his positioning is amazing, and his ''last ditch'' defending seemed to save us quite a few goals. But for the RB position, I don''t think we''ll be seeing Russ any time soon unless injuries happen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
It's Character Forming 1,156 Posted December 4, 2012 [quote user="Grant Holts 3 year contract"][quote user="Making Plans"]Thought he was solid today, as he''s been in every game he''s played. Good signing[/quote]Did you not see him getting destroyed v Everton and Southampton?[/quote]I was at Everton and he certainly wasn''t destroyed then. He made one mistake for the goal - I remember RM getting caught out in a similar way (by an attacker getting inside him) too. He was left exposed by Snoddy for a period in the first half when he had an attacker plus Baines coming at him with Snoddy too central to help, but you can''t blame Whittaker for that. Other than that one mistake I think he''s been very solid and RM will struggle to get back in the team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starfish 0 Posted December 4, 2012 I work in Glasgow - the Hun supporter view was that him and mcgregor (keeper) were the biggest losses. Certainly more so than Naismith to Everton or Davis to Southampton. He is prone to have the odd nightmare game but generally pretty solid. I was at Everton and I can confirm he was furious with himself after the goal, and I thought well fair enough at least he knew he had dropped a flanger.A good signing, reflecting the strongest squad I can remember Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Making Plans 929 Posted December 9, 2012 Another solid performance yesterday & a great goal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rock The Boat 1,290 Posted December 9, 2012 Yes it was an awesome goal. He had the confidence to bring the ball forward when there was space in front of him,run at the Swansea defense, make a neat one-two with Snodgrass, continue his forward run and then make a sublime check to cut inside the defenders and whack the ball in at the near post.A good goal from a forward but totally awesome from a right-back,imo. Think it shows the levels of confidence within the team that players are prepared to play so positively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mello Yello 2,265 Posted December 9, 2012 An important and key member of our squad......confident, comfortable on the ball and consistent..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jonzey 0 Posted December 9, 2012 [quote user="wes the wizzard"]Any defender who has got the nuts to go on like this when given the chance has got my vote too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv26UQV64Vo[/quote]What a goal, and from a full back, away in Europe. Nice. Although that defender looked slightly ropey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yorkshire Canary 118 Posted December 9, 2012 He has played at rangers for a number of seasons and played in Europe. the fact that he was free seemed to make some think he was a modest signing. He is good and getting better and has made a significant contribution to our recent run Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaun Tilly Lace 0 Posted December 9, 2012 [quote user="nutty nigel"]He''s very good and deserves his place. I didn''t really think anything before though because I had never seen him play. What did those people who didn''t rate him base their opinions on? I think he will be at a disadvantage for a while yet though because I have noticed a tendency on here to pick up on his (and Turner''s) mistakes more than other defenders. [/quote]You get this all the time from this board''s expert texperts. I can remember several posters assuring us that Grant Holt would not be good enough when we bought him from Shrewsbury - with expert analysis along the lines of "He score moost ov is gools fram the penelly spart". HA HA HA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingsway 94 Posted December 9, 2012 Hes better than I thought he was after his 1st couple of games and even then I thought he''d do a job! I didn''t think he was capable of scoring a goal like he did yesterday! Like the common theme ever since Lambert took over in 2009, we seem to have a good knack of picking up good players! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Howson is now! 0 Posted December 9, 2012 I have a couple of mates who are Rangers fans and they said Whittaker was easily the transfer they were most upset about so I always thought he was going to do well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yobocop 1,083 Posted December 9, 2012 Great goal yesterday, showed his attacking prowess Excellent signing and better than Kyle Naughton Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Evesham Canary 0 Posted December 9, 2012 I felt I was in the minority who were actually very pleased when he signed. I remembered hims from the Rangers UEFA run a couple of years back when he as one of their stand out players. Great experience (Old Firm games and Europe), an international, free and can play in a number of positions. Really what is there not to like?As for Naughton - really good promising young player but when i have seen him for Spurs this season he has generally struggled although to be fair he has been playing at left back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites