News

The Jonas Gutierrez Question

One player who divides the fans is Jonas Gutierrez; is he a tireless unselfish worker for the team who never gives less than 100%, or a plodder who can’t cross a ball to save his life?

(To feature like Jim, send in your letters/articles for the magazine/website to [email protected])

After the Chelsea match, Alan Pardew singled out Jonas for a special mention when speaking to the Evening Chronicle;

“Jonas answered a few critics, he was fabulous against Chelsea. Everyone gets a lift when new players come in (unless they take your place!) and Jonas is a great example of that.

He’s a good player who has been running on empty and has lacked confidence and belief due to the team not been strong enough.

When you bring new players in it is only right you give him his chance and say ‘Come on, we’ve got a proper team now, come and show your true form’.

Against Chelsea he did that and I’m very proud of him”.

I think there’s no doubt that Gutierrez has been poor this season but he has hardly been alone in that. In any team it is essential you have your really gifted flair players such as Cabaye and Ben Arfa but just as important is that you have your worker ants/water carriers, like Jonas.

Down the years the likes of Manchester United and others have had grafters to complement their real stars, in a lesser team the worker ants will still be exactly that but even the best teams they need them.

The trouble is that when your team is struggling for flair, workers like Jonas can still be busy but just end up running into dead ends, especially this season as Newcastle have missed the likes of Ben Arfa and Cabaye, while generally the squad players called into the team have been woeful. Plus of course the lack of movement of some of our players has been embarrassing, especially seeing the energy and workrate of players like Sissoko and Gouffran.

Jonas will run and run but he desperately needs others to create situations for him and of course he really comes into his own in covering the pitch to cover the flair players when they are creating their magic.

I was as amazed as anybody when he appeared from nowhere…like a superhero, to soar above John Terry for that crucial first goal. However, he got on the end of a brilliant Santon class and Jonas had the opportunity to get into that position thanks to the quality of Newcastle unsettling the blues on the day.

This worker ant still has a lot to offer.

New Mag in newsagents from Saturday but order now online and copies will be posted out on Friday, or why not start a subscription – prices from only £23.

[latest_issue]