Cod Almighty | Article

by Various

1 July 2004

A summer signing from t' Tahgers, and a handy one at that, by the looks of things. Whittle's move marked the end of a six-year stint with the North Humberside shysters, signalled by his limited appearances in their promotion-winning team last season. The centre-back did chalk up 18 appearances last term though, bringing him a grand total of 272 league appearances and a mighty scoring record of three. Watch out Mark Lever.

After a slightly uncertain start, due, no doubt, to becoming acquainted with his team-mates and Russell Slade's favoured three-at-the-back system, Town's new skipper has bedded in well, becoming an ever-present in the side (barring the half-arsed approach to team selection for the LDV tie at Carlisle) - a situation that would have remained regardless of whether Rob Jones and Simon Ramsden had stayed fit. 

When he signed, a quick scoot to Soccerbase was needed, which informed me that one of Whittle's former clubs was "Army" – promising the kind of barking of orders that has been missing from recent seasons. On that count Whittle hasn't disappointed. On the pitch he organises, readies the troops, and points in a manner that is above anything Tommy Widdrington could achieve (in that it is actually appropriate and gleans results). Sadly, nothing along the lines of "FLEMING! ON, THAT MAN! QUICK MARCH!" has been hollered yet, but give him time... Until then his rugged tackling and tracking (trackling?) will hopefully keep opposition frontlines in order.