Chris Gunter

[JimmytheJim]

I think most of us would agree that there is a problem with our passing game at the moment. Too often, the ball is lumped out of defence, omitting the midfield, and typically ending in us losing possession and inviting pressure onto ourselves. This has been blamed on a range of factors - the team's natural inability to pass; uncultured centre backs; a McDermott hangover. However, over the past 5 games or so I have increasingly noticed that one of the biggest contributors to this boring hoof-ball is Chris Gunter.

Gunter has absolutely no confidence on the ball. He does not trust himself going forwards, does not really have any faith in his short passing game, and lacks the strength to hold the ball up under a challenge. Every time we roll the ball out right from the back, the same thing happens. Gunter checks, looks back, and either passes the ball back to where it came from, or hoofs it forward into the channel where, 90% of the time, it is lost and recycled by the opposition.

When we started to play the ball left in the second half, it was a different story. Bridge was a creative force, prepared to look for a short pass and work an opening with the midfield, prepared to take on his man, assured in his ability to hold onto the ball under pressure. As a result, we kept the ball considerably more and carved more openings in the middle third.

I'm not saying that Stephen Kelly is a paragon of passing football, but I can not see a single good argument for keeping Gunter in the team at the moment. He is a liability. The team as a whole is pretty low on confidence, but it doesn't help things at all when you have a player who gives the opposition the ball almost every single time he touches it. For my mind, Gunter is our third-best right-back, and needs a good dropping.

Clearly, this looks a lot like scapegoating. It probably is. But it's also true.

[Avon Royal]

Is it fuck true.

Gunter was one of our better players today.

[sandman]

I'm more worried about his inability to defend rather than what he's like in possession.

[NewCorkSeth]

I'm more worried about his inability to defend rather than what he's like in possession.

+1

[andrew1957]

Is it fuck true.

Gunter was one of our better players today.

Agreed I thought he did ok today. And he probably put as many crosses into the box as anyone. In fact I was only thinking today that he was really coming good after a poor start.

JimmytheJim - I think you are Shaun Cummings AICMFP

[kwik-silva]

Think it was BBRB that said that when he has time he doesn't know what to do. He's fairly solid defending but always slips up once or twice in a match which you just can't do.

[blueroyals]

He put more balls into the box today than most

If you think playing a few long balls is our biggest concern atm then you need your head examined

[peterroyal76]

Is it fuck true.

Gunter was one of our better players today.

This.

[JimmytheJim]

Is it fuck true.

Gunter was one of our better players today.

This.

I despair.

He was horrible. Every time the ball was passed right, he hoofed it, and we lost possession. EVERY TIME!

Once the ball is already in the opposition's half, he's okay, but it's not like his crosses caused much havoc either.

[WAZZOCK]

Gunter has been one of our better players this season, noncesense OP

[JimmytheJim]

He put more balls into the box today than most

If you think playing a few long balls is our biggest concern atm then you need your head examined

It's not a few. For the majority of the first half, he lumped everything up high so that our diminutive centre forward could compete hopelessly with the BHA centre-backs. We had around 35% possession in the first half. Viva la revolucion.

[andrew1957]

He put more balls into the box today than most

If you think playing a few long balls is our biggest concern atm then you need your head examined

It's not a few. For the majority of the first half, he lumped everything up high so that our diminutive centre forward could compete hopelessly with the BHA centre-backs. We had around 35% possession in the first half. Viva la revolucion.

Give up before you make even more a fool of yourself. You are in a minority of one - and that is saying something on here!

[JimmytheJim]

I must say I did not expect this response.

I bow to hna's infinite wisdom...

[AthleticoSpizz]

they'll be around to bitch-slap you later

[One8Seven1]

Adkins likes attacking wing-backs. Kelly isn't one, and is pretty average at right-back any way. I'd consider giving Cummings a shot in the side, but otherwise I'm quite happy with Gunter's willingness to get forward. The team as a whole are lacking in confidence, so it's a tad unfair to pick out one player who's got to defend for his life when the midfield get pushed off the ball so easily, and he's also expected to be the wingman when we are on the offensive.

[Agent Balti]

Pff...what bobbins. Gunter was trying crosses with BOTH feet!! Smacks of a huge lack of confidence. At least he was getting into decent positions.

[St. Brynjar]

Fucking hell. He's played fine this season. One of our only attacking threats today. MOTM for me vs. Yeovil, where he made several excellent tackles and blocks. Have you actually been watching?

[Millsy]

Tbh I have no opinion on Gunter. Was crap in a crap team last year and fair in a fair team so far this year.

What I do know though is that Kelly made a HUGE difference to our defence when we got him. Calmed down the whole defence and made us relatively solid.

I'm not anti-Gunter at all, but as Kelly had such a positive influence in the Prem why he is not starting there now I don't know. Well ok I do know he's been out of it for a while with his kid and Bridge needed covering today for lack of fitness but once Bridge is back I say Kelly at RB for me. Unless Nige sees something Gunter has that Kelly hasn't?

Nothing wrong with Gunter, just that Kelly is solid.

[NewCorkSeth]

Tbh I have no opinion on Gunter. Was crap in a crap team last year and fair in a fair team so far this year.

What I do know though is that Kelly made a HUGE difference to our defence when we got him. Calmed down the whole defence and made us relatively solid.

I'm not anti-Gunter at all, but as Kelly had such a positive influence in the Prem why he is not starting there now I don't know. Well ok I do know he's been out of it for a while with his kid and Bridge needed covering today for lack of fitness but once Bridge is back I say Kelly at RB for me. Unless Nige sees something Gunter has that Kelly hasn't?

Nothing wrong with Gunter, just that Kelly is solid.

I agree with everything you said. Apart from the Gunter bits. I have an irrational hatred of him and I remain unconvinced he can defend..

[M Brook]

Gunter is a liability and has been a great disappointment since he joined us. He had a slightly better game today but still seemed to play without any self- confidence (playing for Wales probably doesn't help!). I had to agree with the fella next to me today when he said we will never succeed with Gunter in the team.