Danny Guthrie - Credit where it's due

This! Always been a Guthrie fan. He's staking his claim for more first team action. And based on that performance he probably deserves it.

 

Lets not get too silly. He had a good game yesterday in a not particularly challenging central area against Stoke, that doesn't mean he bounces ahead of two proven superior players in the pecking order, just as Shola didn't bounce in after his goal against Spurs. Well done to the lad, but he's not better than Cabaye.

 

He's not better than Cabaye or Tiote, but nor is Raylor better than Santon, and nor is Best better than Ben Arfa. It's all about the principle of it.

Not saying he definitely should/shouldnt start, I just dont think it's as black and white as some people think.

 

Was really impressed with him last night, defensively he didn't look bad at all and he's always been a decent passer of the ball. I was really worried beforehand that the CM's we had apart from Cabaye and Tiote simply weren't good enough, but Guthrie has shown that he HAS got the talent to be in this team, he just hasn't shown it on a regular enough basis when called upon.

 

Exactly and you could also say Obertan isn't better than Marvo is he? It's all about playing as a team and right now we don't need Ben Arfa/Santon/Marvo.

 

That I agree with, but Cabaye and Tiote will be the partnership when fit for now for the exact reason Raylor is in, 8 or 9 top performances this season, not just the one against Stoke. Same reason Marveaux, Ben Arfa etc aren't in after the Carling Cup games (not Blackburn, the ones we were good in!).

 

To be fair it's not just the one against Stoke is it? Twice in a week he has been one of the best players on the pitch.

 

Yep, but the other game was a loss against Blackburn. I didn't see it so can't report on it, but the radio gave the impression both central midfielders were quiet, certainly for the first 90 minutes. Even if he was super ace its still just two though.

I'm not keen to beat a dead horse, how many of us would rather see Guthrie in midfield than Tiote or Cabaye?

 

although cabaye didn't have the best game in terms of passing he put in an absolute shift in still and i'd like to see him rested if tiote is fit.

 

From what I saw Cabaye and Guthrie were pretty average v Blackburn. Obviously they both scored screamers but we struggled badly to create due to not really getting to grip with the middle. Obviously I'm going off highlights and radio coverage though. For me I'm not ready to ump on the Guthrie bandwagon. The lad has been largely disappointing for me, and has always looked to be carrying too much timber. He looked leaner the other night, and hopefully he will start to apply himself because he has ability. but it'll take a lot more than one game against one of the leagues poorer midfields to change that.

 

Did you see his MOTM performances last season against Man United and Tottenham at home when he was partnered with Nolan in the middle? Did you see him in the Championship were he was one of our best players? Did you see him back in 08-09' were he had to carry Nicky Butt in midfield..

... I know you don't rate Guthrie but come on..

 

Come on. I've seen every home game and plenty away for the last decade or so, and barring odd glimpses of brilliance he's not amazing which is why he's backup. I personally thought his best game last season was the draw against Chelsea at home, managing a result with a very depleted side and putting a right shift in. This of course was immediately followed by West Brom away, where ignoring the slip (and 'injury') he had a stinker.

Carrying Nicky Butt to what? Relegation? He was good enough for the Championship and thrived there but that doesn't launch him above full internationals in Cabaye and Tiote.

 

I must admit we'll have to agree to disagree on our championship season. He was one I thought he would do well but I wasn't overly impressed given the level. Indeed Smith was the one who stood out until about half way through season. (That is amazing to even think now to be honest!) Back in 08-09 undoubtedly Butt was poor, but I thought Guthrie was almost as bad. I don't rate Guthrie based on what I've seen which is obviously different to yourself. I see him as very lazy and those stupid free kicks he gives away constantly around the box wind me up something bad. If he played like he did against Stoke more regularly I'd offer him a contract. I was very very impressed the other night and will always give credit when I think its due. I just think that level has to be maintained.

And he defo needs to sort that hair out or he shouldn't be given a contract on the grounds of bad taste!

 

The mullet definitely is a slimming look.

 

He was usually deployed at right midfield in his last spell in the team and he looked lost. Definitely good backup for the central area though

 

Man, we had nicky butt in our team.

i actually forgot about him.

 

Guthrie was amazing back in the championship. One player who took control of every game and always wanted the ball when playing in the centre.

A season or two playing out of position and not enough has knocked his confidence. The lads got potential still.

 

Guthrie has always been a solid squad player for me and I for one think he is reliable to be able to bring in and do a job. However, one good performance against Stoke isn't going to get me climbing to the top of the nearest building to shoot my load over him and declare that he get into the team ahead of Tiote.

Having said that, the criticism he comes under from people on here is way over the top - people forget the majority of his performances in the last two seasons are when he's been shoehorned into a right wing role that doesn't suit him at all, and even then he managed to stick in a couple of decent performances - Spuds at home last year being one.

In the Championship season he was arguably our best player, didn't he top the assists league and chip in about 5 goals to boot?

 

Pos Player Team Assists
1 Scotland Graham Dorrans West Bromwich Albion 19
2 England Wayne Routledge Queens Park Rangers/Newcastle United 15
3 England Danny Guthrie Newcastle United 13
4 England Jay Bothroyd Cardiff City 12

Third place. Fair enough behind Routledge but we all know he was class at that level.

 

Bearing in mind Nolan and Smith was the preferred partnership at the time, he wasnt a guaranteed starter.