Are we better off without Guthrie starting?

Millsy · by **Millsy** » 17 Jan 2014 12:49

HNA is probably rejoicing that I've not been around much since the Watford game but today I have a look around only to see my surprise this hasn't been discussed much, except on a short Watford thread.

It seemed to me that in our desperation to play a certain way, and Guthrie being the only one capable of playing like that he has been overused as the main playmaker of the team and this was found out quite early on. All teams had to do was throttle Guthrie and the team was paralysed. This was noticed many times before the Watford game.

Little surprise then that without Guthrie we were suddenly freed up to play all over the pitch and we couldn't be strangled. That was certainly the opinion coming from Dellor Gooding and Williams.

If true it seems to me quite an important point. Does Adkins drop him? Does he persevere and start him as we were? Or does he start him but not rely on him as a central playmaker? If the latter, does he offer anything at all?

Just interested in general opinion as there seems to be a consensus from BBCRB and I was wondering if that reflected other Reading fans.

I am neutral on the topic.

maffff · by **maffff** » 17 Jan 2014 12:56

Maybe.

Pseud O'Nym · by **Pseud O'Nym** » 17 Jan 2014 13:50

Dunno.

Arnie_Pie · by **Arnie_Pie** » 17 Jan 2014 14:09

2 world wars, 1 world cup I am neutral on the topic.

So why ask the question if you have no opinion?

Norfolk Royal · by **Norfolk Royal** » 17 Jan 2014 14:10

Not sure about this.

AirRaidSiren · by **AirRaidSiren** » 17 Jan 2014 14:24

He was our better player the first few games this season and many on here gave him MOM, until the big Russian knuckled down and improved. Guthrie is having a bad patch at the moment imo, but so are the rest of the team.

I still think he is a good player and I won't judge him or any other player until the club settles. Meaning, ownership + injuries.

Pseud O'Nym · by **Pseud O'Nym** » 17 Jan 2014 14:28

AirRaidSiren He was our better player the first few games this season and many on here gave him MOM, until the big Russian knuckled down and improved. Guthrie is having a bad patch at the moment imo, but so are the rest of the team.

I still think he is a good player and I won't judge him or any other player until the club settles. Meaning, ownership + injuries.

So that's another "Don't know".

AirRaidSiren · by **AirRaidSiren** » 17 Jan 2014 14:30

Pseud O'Nym
AirRaidSiren He was our better player the first few games this season and many on here gave him MOM, until the big Russian knuckled down and improved. Guthrie is having a bad patch at the moment imo, but so are the rest of the team.

I still think he is a good player and I won't judge him or any other player until the club settles. Meaning, ownership + injuries.

So that's another "Don't know".

No. We should start him when fit.

That better?

3points · by **3points** » 17 Jan 2014 21:04

Quote Adkins from GetReading
"“After the Brighton game (a 1-0 defeat in the third round of the FA Cup) I had a couple of days where I had a lot of contemplating to do about where I wanted us to go. Things didn’t go how we would have liked over the Christmas period, but sometimes you’ve got to say ‘these are the cards we’ve been dealt so let’s get on with it’."

reading this, I'm wondering how much the "where I wanted us to go" bit means about playing style. Being ultra cynical, I'd say Guthrie isn't injured at present, but dropped. But then again, who knows?

the taphouse · by **the taphouse** » 17 Jan 2014 21:19

guithie has been shit since karacan got injured.We haven't replaced Jem Karacan ...

pea · by **pea** » 17 Jan 2014 21:28

maybe

AthleticoSpizz · by **AthleticoSpizz** » 17 Jan 2014 21:41

the taphouse guithie has been shit since karacan got injured.We haven't replaced Jem Karacan ...

so...its all Karacans fault....

as guffs would say....never his

melonhead · by **melonhead** » 18 Jan 2014 17:05

That was the most effective midfield performance I've seen this season
Just so much more drive and balance

bobby1413 · by **bobby1413** » 18 Jan 2014 17:08

I've said since the 4th game that Guthrie shouldn't be in the side.

I rarely ever know what I'm talking about, but in this instance I'm sure of it.

Cureton's Volley · by **Cureton's Volley** » 18 Jan 2014 17:30

Akpan looked a different player today. Majestic.

leon · by **leon** » 18 Jan 2014 18:49

Yes - get rid. Midfield worked for the first time this season.

Man Friday · by **Man Friday** » 18 Jan 2014 18:53

bobby1413 I've said since the 4th game that Guthrie shouldn't be in the side.

I rarely ever know what I'm talking about, but in this instance I'm sure of it.

I love that comment (even though I doubt it's true!)

Wycombe Royal · by **Wycombe Royal** » 18 Jan 2014 18:54

I said he needed to be dropped a few weeks ago as he was the cause of most of our problems on the pitch. Shame it took an injury for it to happen.

SPARTA · by **SPARTA** » 18 Jan 2014 19:03

Our last three wins = no Guthrie

So my answer is YES.

Too slow, too casual, he wants to dictate the tempo but slows it down so much that he is actually our achilles heel.

Millsy · by **Millsy** » 18 Jan 2014 19:16

I started this poll as a neutral so didn't vote but after today my vote is in and I feel a bit daft, seems a silly question now doesn't it?