Guthrie or Cabaye

Better range of passing then...

 

We must have a bunch of players that cannot pass, if Tiote isn't a good passer.

83% accuracy all season. Only Santon and Colo have a better successful passing percentage, with a lot less passes being made from both.

 

Definitely this.

Stats. Prove anything with them. Majority of his passes are simple backwards and sideways ones. Percentage boosting 1-2's with defenders. When it comes to playing an attacking pass, Tiote is very sloppy and always has been. If we're just using stats, Leon Britton is a better passer than Xavi.

 

Of course Cabaye's got far more ability than Guthrie, but on form this season you've got to say Guthrie, I've been surprised how excellent he's been, deserves a new contract.

 

Cabaye has been sub-par for sometime now. The fact we've changed our style to more long ball tactis hasn't helped him, the play seems to bypass him a lot of the time because of that. He's probably our most creative player, we need to try and let him dictate the play more than he has recently. When he did it against Villa, it was immense.

 

I have always been Guthries biggest critic. Mainly because he has failed to get himself fit enough to realise his potential, and also because his game never showed signs of progress. he was a hinderance at times in the past with those stupid free kicks he gave away in dangerous positions. He is also very injury prone.

However I always believe when credit is due, you must give it. Although obviously still injury prone, he has performed very well indeed this year. He has looked a different player and has come back leaner. He's stopped giving the ball away as much and I think it is down to dedication and application. He has always had ability, he just didn't seem motivated to make the best of it. His passing this year has 100 times better. Would I play him ahead of Yohan just to keep him happy? No Cabaye is too good for that. We must remember that Cabaye will be 1 and half times the player we've seen, next year. All foreign players improve as time goes on and they adapt to the pace. Guthrie should get plenty of opportunities this year if he keeps himself free of injury. Tiote is away at present, and both him and Cabaye like a tackle and a booking.

 

I still think Cabaye has done well but I would agree that his effectiveness and influence has gone down with us becoming long ball merchants of late. I'm confident we won't stick with it for long or there was no point in buying Cabaye. The key like you say is us getting our confidence back to play football properly and go through him. Tiote needs to up his game to help with this. The defenders are mainly just following instructions from Pardew in going long but I don't doubt they do not have the same confidence in Tiote to retain possession either. He has had a fairly poor season by his high standards and lost possession a lot.