Pardew has deployed Gutiérrez in a central midfield role, when many of the fans knew as early as the first week of the season that it was not going to work.
Alan Pardew: “Yeah, and I think that (his new position) perhaps that hasn’t helped him.
“I take some criticism for that. I’ve played him narrower a little bit, and I think he’s got a fair argument to say that I should be playing him in position.
“It’s something I’m working on with him, he’s an important player for us and an important character in the dressing-room.
“They’re important players, your big players.
“You’ve only got to look at Jonás; he signed a new contract last year, he was fantastic last season, an unsung hero in a lot of ways, balancing us up, taking us up the pitch, giving us a rest, and he has not been at his best.
“He’s had an injury he’s played with, we think he’s a lot better going into this game and I thought he improved significantly in the second half against City.
“I thought he looked more like his old self. We need him to play well.”
Source: Newcastle United Mad
Source: FOOTYMAD
