With the loan window finally coming to an end at the 5pm deadline on 31st August, Rovers announced, during the day, that experienced duo, Paul Caddis and Peter Whittingham would be departing the club, after their respective contracts were terminated.
The pair, who were signed by Tony Mowbray last summer, have found time on the pitch hard to come by as a result of recurring injuries and the good form of other players, and it seems that all parties believe that the futures of Caddis and Whittingham lie elsewhere.
Cardiff City legend, Whittingham, who managed 24 games for Rovers, initially joined the club on a 2-year deal, in the summer of 2017, and was expected to contribute a lot to Rovers’ League 1 campaign, however, unfortunately for the now 33-year old, an injury at the start of 2018 saw him fall down the pecking order. Furthermore, his case for games was not helped by the surge to form of fellow midfielder Bradley Dack, who became the influential outlet for Rovers during the 2017-18 season.
Former Celtic and Birmingham City full-back, Caddis who played a total of 21 games for the Blues, agreed terms with Mowbray’s side, following a successful trial period at the club, which saw him bag a brace during Rovers’ impressive 8-0 pre-season victory over York City in July 2017. Like Whittingham, Caddis signed a 2-year deal at the football club, but also found himself out of place in Mowbray’s side, as the good form of Ryan Nyambe, and Rovers’ switch to a permanent 4 at the back, saw Caddis’ role as a wing-back, deemed surplus, and although the Scot gained himself the sporadic cup appearance, which included a start in last Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Lincoln City in the 2nd round of the Carabao Cup, Caddis obviously doesn’t see himself capable of remaining as a back-up.
With Tony Mowbray seemingly looking to alter the average age of the side, Caddis and Whittingham’s departures clearly make sense on that front, and following the summer transfer window, which has seen 5 midfielders come into the side, Whittingham would have no doubt seen his place come under threat. From Caddis’ perspective, the emergence of Lewis Travis, who can play in both, a full-back role and as a centre-midfielder, and the ability of Elliott Bennett to fill in there, when called upon, means the clubs’ need for another sporadic full-back on the wage bill, is unnecessary.
Despite both players’ meaningful contributions to the promotion season, both are now free to find new clubs, with Rovers’ best wishes, as they look to make a stronger impact elsewhere, than they did in Blue and White.
