Hughton with Guthrie Dilema

[Deano 0]

DANNY GUTHRIE today insisted he will continue to let his football do the talking in his quest to pin down his favourite central midfield role with Newcastle United.

 

Guthrie has never made a fuss about being rotated this season or being placed on wing patrol by Chris Hughton, but has still shone when fielded in the engine room.

 

And against Barnsley he took his goal tally to five to add to his nine assists this season for the Magpies.

 

Hughton has a major decision to make going into the Tyne-Tees tussle at the Riverside this Saturday, with Alan Smith expected back from an ankle knock.

 

And while Hughton has accommodated Guthrie, Smith and Kevin Nolan in the same XI before this season by pushing the Scouse schemer into the hole, the form of Peter Lovenkrands, who took his tally to 12 against the Tykes, leaves him with a selection dilemma ahead of the clash with Gordon Strachan’s side.

 

Guthrie, who recently singled out Steven Gerrard as his role model, says he is reveling in his central role, telling the Chronicle: “It was nice – it’s where I want to play, and it’s where I play my best stuff, so long may it continue.

 

“When I play there I keep the team ticking, and get on the ball and pass.

 

“The assists have built up, and hopefully I can add a few more goals, I enjoy playing there.

 

“Alan’s done a terrific job when he’s played there, and we’re two different players.

 

“Sometimes we need his style of play there, and I just give the manager a different option.”

 

United players were still debating who scored goal number five in the 6-1 pasting of the Tykes as they left St James’ Park on Saturday, with Andy Carroll believing he brushed Guthrie’s free-kick into the Leazes End net.

 

Guthrie said: “I think it’s mine - I’ve seen it on the replay. I think I’ll take it. Two’s nice but it would have been lovely to have got a hat-trick.

 

“It was a good win, and a good performance.”

 

The Shropshire-born midfield man also underlined the high standards set by Toon players this season, with many of them unhappy they’d let a clean sheet slip near the end after a mix-up between Danny Simpson and Fabricio Coloccini.

 

Guthrie said: “Danny’s held his hand up for the goal.

 

“We’d have liked to have kept a clean sheet, but we’d have taken 6-1 before the start.

 

“We’ve just got to take care of ourselves, keep winning at home, and keep plugging away away from home, and let the rest do their own thing.

 

“We went home very happy. We’ve been threatening to do it in the last few home games with threes and fours, and it was nice to put a few away.

 

“Someone was going to get it.”

 

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcas...72703-25985647/

 

Personally i think he has ran our midfield when given a chance in the middle. But with Smith back and Routledge looking like he mite make the Boro game Hughton has a dilema...or does he?

 

Imho he has been our best midfielder this season, yes Nolan has contributed more goals but Guthrie keeps us trying to play football, always wants it, always looking for a pass and this has showed in the number of assists he has got and in some of his performances this season.

 

I've a sneaky feeling though that come the Boro game CH will put Smith back in the middle with Nolan and move Guthrie out on the right again and bench Routledge. Maybe its the correct thing to do but the boy has got to wonder what has to happen for him to get 10 games in his favoured position and a chance to make it his. What has to happen is either Nolan or Smith to be sacrificed more often and id choose Nolan...The battling and leadership qualities of Smith alongside Guthries willingness to want the ball and make something happen would be a good mix to get us through the rest of the season.

 

Give him a run Chris.

[Tom 14021]

He should play in the centre all day as he clearly gets lost on the right and often drifts into the centre anyway!

[smoggeordie 0]

There is no dilema. He's our best CM by a country mile.

[Deano 0]

He should play in the centre all day as he clearly gets lost on the right and often drifts into the centre anyway!

 

Agreed.

 

He does a job on the right, probably the best crosser of the ball on a consistent basis too but the good points aside, more importantly when he is played out there it unbalances the team which in turn puts more focus on our left hand side. This meaning teams doubling up on Gutierrez and cutting him out the game.

 

Wouldnt be so bad if either Smith or Nolan could create but sadly for us they cant.

 

I know what i would do, like most on here but whether CH would do it is another story.

Edited March 8, 2010 by Geordie Lad...

[Barney 0]

If loven and Carroll weren't both scoring and playing well, I'd say he'd go with 5 in midfield and 1 up top.

[ewerk 31363]

In the middle you daft twat.

[The Fish 11042]

Guthrie is a definite starter in the middle for me. Admittedly away from home we mght lose the midfield battle, but with our defence it might be worthwhile.

[Deano 0]

So does everyone think our best midfield would be...

 

---Gutierrez---Smith---Guthrie---Routledge---

 

I honestly think that could be good enough for survival in the PL...nothing more though.

[Gejon 2]

So does everyone think our best midfield would be...

 

---Gutierrez---Smith---Guthrie---Routledge---

 

I honestly think that could be good enough for survival in the PL...nothing more though.

 

Swap Smith for Nolan.

 

Nolan is a useless lump but he scores goals and may get more chances playing alongside someone creative.

 

I wouldn't be adverse to playing Guthrie CM in the premiership but we will definitely have to sign someone else to partner him unless one of two equally unlikely things happen before the end of the season:

 

1, Barton comes back, stays injury free, keeps out of trouble and gets back to the player he was at City.

 

2, Vuckic breaks into the team and starts looking amazing from the off.

 

As said, neither are very likely.

[OTF 7733]

There's no dilemma. His performances in central midfield prove that he should be there week in week out. He's not only decent at creating goals but he can also score the odd few.

 

When we went down I was expecting him to be a key player in our side. In some ways he has been, but not to the extent that I thought. I certainly didn't envision him being played so many times on the right where he clearly is completely out of place (and pace). I'd hope that Hughton sees some sense and continues to play him in his preferred position. Nolan is a luxury player when you also deploy two forwards.

 

I actually think that Guthrie could play a role alongside a more creative midfield partner, with Guthrie shouldering a larger part of the defensive duties. I think with someone who can pass alongside him he'll only continue to develop into an even better player.

[Deano 0]

So does everyone think our best midfield would be...

 

---Gutierrez---Smith---Guthrie---Routledge---

 

I honestly think that could be good enough for survival in the PL...nothing more though.

 

Swap Smith for Nolan.

 

Nolan is a useless lump but he scores goals and may get more chances playing alongside someone creative.

 

I wouldn't be adverse to playing Guthrie CM in the premiership but we will definitely have to sign someone else to partner him unless one of two equally unlikely things happen before the end of the season:

 

1, Barton comes back, stays injury free, keeps out of trouble and gets back to the player he was at City.

 

2, Vuckic breaks into the team and starts looking amazing from the off.

 

As said, neither are very likely.

 

1. Could happen tbh but like Guthrie for him to do well it means one of Nolan and Smith being dropped.

 

2. Love to see it happen but sadly it wont...best he can hope for is reserve team football and the odd cameo cup run out next season.

 

I know it will sound totally unrealistic but when we go up id love to see us throw in a £12mil bid for Rodwell.

[Dr Gloom 22373]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

[Kevin 1]

Erm play him at LB, common sense Jawdie Lawdd.

[Deano 0]

Erm play him at LB, common sense Jawdie Lawdd.

 

Go fuck yourself shamrock

[Kevin 1]

Erm play him at LB, common sense Jawdie Lawdd.

 

Go fuck yourself shamrock

[Papa Lazaru 0]

As people have said, its no dilema. He's the only one with a chance of being a premiership midfielder in the middle, he still has it to prove at that level, but with a good partner in there he might make it. Out wide he's lost, lacking the pace and inclination to stay wide though he does chip in with the odd assist there its not where he should be playing.

 

Our best midfield (with no signings) would have him in the middle with a fit (and slightly less mad) Barton though how likely that is to happen with Barton is anybodies guess. Out of Nolan and Smith i'd pick Nolan because both of them will be chasing shadows in the prem but Nolan might score o a goal or two whereas Smith will be picking up suspensions for fun!

[Phil 6]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

 

all six games...

[Guest alex]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

 

all six games...

I was about to say the same, he barely played a match. Not like Dan to talk shite

[bobbyshinton 59]

keep the same team as last weekend, injuries allowing.

[Dr Gloom 22373]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

 

all six games...

I was about to say the same, he barely played a match. Not like Dan to talk shite

 

how's it talking shite alex? smith has always been pants whenever he's played at centre mid at the top level. he's been pretty average this season at cm too if you ask me apart from a burst of a few decent games at the start of the season.

[Guest alex]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

 

all six games...

I was about to say the same, he barely played a match. Not like Dan to talk shite

 

how's it talking shite alex? smith has always been pants whenever he's played at centre mid at the top level. he's been pretty average this season at cm too if you ask me apart from a burst of a few decent games at the start of the season.

He made four league starts last year and had a couple of cameos as sub. He was injured most of the season but when he did play he did ok in a few games including playing in CM against Man Utd when he had Geremi alongside him (no mean feat tbf). He played there at home against Portsmouth where we lacked creativity but he didn't do a lot wrong and they never really looked like scoring whereas Owen should have. He played away against Hull and although I didn't see the game we drew 1-1 and he wasn't at fault for the goal but if you saw it perhaps you can put me straight on what he did wrong in that match. He was shite when we lost away to Liverpool from what I remember and got caugh in possession for the first goal but Liverpool won at a canter anyway. So I don't see how you can say he was a liability in central midfield in the season we were relegated. That's not me saying he'd be any good as Premier League midfielder btw.

Edit: just re-read what you wrote and I agree, actually. I just thought it was harsh because I thought you were having a pop at him for last season because last season had nowt to do with him really. Soz

Edited March 9, 2010 by alex

[Barney 0]

Guthrie is young enough. He's played a full season at Bolton, played fleetingly for us in the PL and most of this season out of position.

 

Still a bit of time to develop into an ok player.

[Guest alex]

Guthrie is young enough. He's played a full season at Bolton, played fleetingly for us in the PL and most of this season out of position.

 

Still a bit of time to develop into an ok player.

Got to feel for the lad a bit because he's been pushed out to wide positions to accommodate players who aren't as good as him in the middle then he's expected to make the side tick when he's gotten those limited opportunities to play in his favoured role.

[Dr Gloom 22373]

guthrie has it all to prove at premier league level but yes, for now he should start in centre midfield alongside nolan. smith has looked ok this season but was a liability at centre midfield before we were relegated.

 

all six games...

I was about to say the same, he barely played a match. Not like Dan to talk shite

 

how's it talking shite alex? smith has always been pants whenever he's played at centre mid at the top level. he's been pretty average this season at cm too if you ask me apart from a burst of a few decent games at the start of the season.

He made four league starts last year and had a couple of cameos as sub. He was injured most of the season but when he did play he did ok in a few games including playing in CM against Man Utd when he had Geremi alongside him (no mean feat tbf). He played there at home against Portsmouth where we lacked creativity but he didn't do a lot wrong and they never really looked like scoring whereas Owen should have. He played away against Hull and although I didn't see the game we drew 1-1 and he wasn't at fault for the goal but if you saw it perhaps you can put me straight on what he did wrong in that match. He was shite when we lost away to Liverpool from what I remember and got caugh in possession for the first goal but Liverpool won at a canter anyway. So I don't see how you can say he was a liability in central midfield in the season we were relegated. That's not me saying he'd be any good as Premier League midfielder btw.

 

i didn't say just the season we were relegated, i said in the top flight before we were relegated.

 

many different managers tried to play smith at centre mid in the premier league to the the extent that it's now his converted posisiton, mainly i think because he's combative and he doesn't score enough goals as a striker. for me, he has never looked a premier league level centre midfielder for us or for man utd. and i haven't seen enough from him this season to suggest he's going to be good enough if we go up.

[Dr Gloom 22373]

just saw the edit alex, fair play