RYAN WINTLE: BACK ON TRACK?

Ryan Wintle endured a tough last season after being deemed surplus to requirements twelve months ago. The 28 year-old has caught the eye this pre-season in what is an monumental season for the midfielder. Some of The Bluebirds supporters feel City are in desperate need of a number six, but could Wintle be the answer that Cardiff are looking for?

Ryan Wintle in training.

What does Ryan Wintle offer?

Wintle gives Cardiff City control and stability in midfield with his defensive awareness, tidy passing, and high work rate. He breaks up play effectively, helps the team retain possession, and leads by example with calm, consistent performances. Wintle also chips in with key goals and has shown leadership when called upon, having taken the armband on several occasions.

Fits the BBM style:

The main thing that has become evident over pre-season is that Ryan Wintle fits what Brian Barry-Murphy is trying to do. Wintle has been a progressive number six, playing ball forwards and beginning attacks for Barry-Murphy's side. The 28 year-old is a disciplined choice to anchor the midfield three BBM seemingly prefers. Cardiff need experience amongst the young talent in the squad, and with over three hundred EFL appearances, Wintle certainly offers that.

Leadership:

A lot has been made about Cardiff needing to add leaders, but if you look at current internal options, Wintle seems one of the few leaders in the current squad. Ryan Wintle has worn the armband for The Bluebirds more than any other of his teammates, showing he has experience in leading sides. Wintle has also been a part of the leadership group for a few years since his arrival from Crewe, suggesting internally he is viewed as a leader also.

Durability/Availability:

Ryan Wintle is available week in week out, and that's invaluable given the struggles Cardiff have gone through in recent years regarding key players consistently being injured. The 28 year-old has been ever-present throughout his career, meaning you can rely on the midfielder, and if pre-season is anything to go off, City will be relying on Wintle this season.

Strong Pre-Season:

Wintle has had one of the stronger pre-season's in the squad. Improving game after game and anchoring the backline very well and being a far more progressive version than we've seen previously. The midfielder also appears to be in immense shape and has reportedly impressed internally with his attitude ahead of City's season in League One. Cardiff supporters have seen glimpses of Wintle's quality in the past, and all we want is to see it on a more consistent basis, and Wintle has started well with hopes he can really kick on now!

There's plenty positives to Wintle and what he could contribute this season, but to make a balanced argument, I will present some potential cons City and Wintle could face this season.

Uncertain Future:

It looks like Wintle could be here past the close of the Summer Transfer Window, however, if you look further than that, the 28 year-old has just a year left on his deal and with so many question marks over his head ahead of the season, it's fair to say as it stands, Wintle's future falls in the uncertain category at the moment. Given Barry-Murphy has already made reference to this being a long-term project, Wintle may not fit that.

Bridges burnt with some Fans?

Wintle had faced a decent amount of criticism the season prior to his loan move to Millwall, and things seemed to reach boiling-point as Wintle had an argument with supporters in a goalless draw with Blackburn in February 2024 after a series of set-pieces fans were unhappy with. Fans also had a cause for concern as Ryan Wintle posted a video of people partying after Erol Bulut was sacked in September 2024, something some fans took a real dislike to. Granted the attitude towards Wintle this pre-season has been relatively positive, there will be some fans who have these incidents in the back of their heads.

Recent Struggles:

It would be daft not to highlight his recent struggles, even if this feels like a new Ryan Wintle. The midfielder has struggled for the last eighteen months arguably, especially last season, racking up just 511 minutes of football and not doing a great deal in that time. Sections of the City fan base had also lost their patience with Wintle prior to the loan move. It's fair to say the 28 year-old will need drastic improvements to be a crucial member of City's side this season. But again he's started in the right way.

Being forced to sit-out from time to time:

Erol Bulut highlighted this as the main reason Wintle was frozen out, as the pair had a disagreement of Wintle not playing every single game. Quite frankly, with at a minimum fifty-one games to be played this season, the midfielder is going to have to sit out from time to time. Particularly in such an unpredictable league as League One, there'll be games where Wintle's attributes won't be required, and it's about being content to sit those ones out for the benefit of the team.

Summary - Back on Track?

It certainly appears that way and it can only benefit Cardiff City. If we can have a fully invested Ryan Wintle in the right head-space we have a dangerous player at this level, and one that could propel The Bluebirds. It all falls on Wintle to do the necessary things now to really kick on!

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