Alan Pardew has apologised to Jonás Gutiérrez and says that he must take some of the blame for his winger's subdued performances. 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