A Farewell To Danny Guthrie and Peter Lovenkrands

Neither Danny Guthrie nor Peter Lovenkrands would be considered stars during their time at Newcastle United. Solid players, yes, but unlikely to have their names and numbers on the backs of too many replica jerseys.

Both played major roles in the club's immediate return to the Premier League, but failed to establish themselves as integral cogs at the top tier - which at least partially explains why Guthrie, Lovenkrands and Alan Smith headlined Newcastle's released list, which was published Friday.

Smith's departure was a given, which is why we attempted to sum up his five-season tenure on Tyneside when he was sent to MK Dons on loan for the rest of the season back in January. Lovenkrands was never likely to return, because at 32 he doesn't exactly fit into Newcastle's long-term plans. Guthrie could have stayed, but understandably wants regular playing time and rejected United's contract offer.

His departure will hurt the most moving forward, especially in light of Newcastle's Europa League qualification. The club will need quality depth, and Guthrie's passing ability made him an ideal backup option behind Yohan Cabaye. Guthrie's Newcastle career was up and down, with ill-timed injuries and inconsistency preventing him from fully blossoming. He also was too often played out of position on the right side of midfield.

Guthrie proved himself to be Newcastle's most talented central midfielder during the club's promotion season, but an injury at the start of the 2010-11 season combined with the arrivals of Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye in consecutive summers left him out of United's first XI. He'll likely be signing with another Premier League team that will offer him a starting spot, and you can't really blame him for seeking such assurances.

Lovenkrands' loss will rob Newcastle of some depth and versatility at forward, with the Dane able to fill in on either wing, in the hole or up top. Lovenkrands was superb during the second half of United's Championship-winning season, and his headed goal against West Brom - the game was shortly after his father's death and Lovenkrands celebrated his strike by tearfully pointing to the heavens - was one of the most powerful moments of the season. He let us all into his world and we were better for it.

The Dane wasn't able to have the same impact in the Premier League - perhaps he would have been able to earlier in his career - although it should be noted that most of his opportunities came in the second half of the 2010-11 season, when Newcastle wasn't exactly creating chances left and right for its strikers. Even so, it's understandable why United would look for a younger player to fill his roster spot.

It's telling that neither player is leaving the club as any sort of a villain. They're both recognized as solid performers who gave their all when asked. And that's not so bad of a way to be remembered, is it?

Comments

[Charlietoon]

Yeah I cant see either player being booed if they should ever play against us in the future. I think it says a lot how much we worried about Enriques contract being up. With two years to go we were trying to sign him up and every second news article was a will he wont he. This whole thing with Guthrie has been fairly under the radar with neither club nor player harping on about this or that. I like Guthrie and would be happy to see him excel at another club. He'd be good for a lot of teams in the premier league and could easily sign with West Ham or someone like that.

[geoff777]

I'm a big Guthrie fan, sorry to see him leave.

Cheers Danny.

[Jaeger]

danny would have gotten more playing time next year with those extra matches from europa league tiring out cheik and yohan. could see him fitting into a side like swansea or maybe villa. both him and lovenkrands were professionals on the pitch and played well for the club. wish them the best. newcastle need to get some depth in the squad to have a successful repeat of this year.

[Rob]

Both will be missed as neither were locker room cancers and had their moments while on Tyneside. I really wish Guthrie were staying but I can't hate him for not wanting to be a sub when others teams would be willing to give him a starting role. GOT HIM ON A FREE FROM GERMANY!

[Carl Oxley]

its good there gone for there sake and ours because it cuts our wage bill and gives them a chance to play first team football, i cant see alan smith ever playing in the top flight again but as for Guthrie and lovekrands, they could still make it at top level. Good look guys and thanks for the effort is all we can say.

[Sean/Ameritoon]

I'm going to miss Danny - he was a very capable replacement when Cabaye went down and/or Cheick being at ACN. I wish him the best and can certainly understand his desire to place 1st team footy.
I like Lovenpants, especially how he helped gain us promotion. tough break this year with the addition of more prolific scorers, but that's professional football.

[MnToonArmy9]

I don't think any of these three players ever "took a shift off". In particular, Lovenkrands was fun to watch as he always seemed to simply go right at the goal...not a lot of trickery...just go to the goal. I'll miss Lovenkrands' class off the pitch as he was great with us fans.

I think all three will be well remembered in the Nordeast.