Patient Danny Guthrie bides his time for role

Oct 9 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

DANNY Guthrie has conceded he will have to be patient in his effort to break into Newcastle United’s first team as he looks to convince Chris Hughton he is worthy of a central midfield role.

Guthrie played much of his football on the right wing for United last season, but was far more effective in the middle and finished the season with more assists than any other midfielder.

It is in that position Guthrie wants to test himself back in the Premier League, although he knows the form of Joey Barton and new signing Cheik Tiote make that difficult. He said: “I'm probably going to have to be patient for a little while longer. I don't know what the manager is thinking, but realistically, the team has been doing well so I'll probably be on the bench.

“The main thing for me is just being over this injury now and being able to push for a place in the first team again.

“We've had a pretty good start and I think the lads have been desperately unlucky in a couple of games. We dominated Stoke and Blackpool at home, it was just silly lapses in concentration that cost us.

“I thought we were brilliant against Manchester City as well and we were really unlucky with the decisions that went against us.” Guthrie has often been the odd one out when it comes to tough selection decision as he is the least experienced of the midfield options.

But the 23-year-old grew in maturity last season in the Championship and produced the performances to match, which bodes well for him this term.

He said: “I see myself as a central midfielder, I've got my own strengths I can bring to the team, it's just up to the manager now.

“I'm really looking forward to proving myself in the Premier League again. Nobody wants to play in the Championship, but it was character building for me.

“We formed a really strong team bond and it was a brilliant season for us. We've carried that confidence and team spirit into the Premier League with us.”