Who would you pick against Newcastle? Mutch or Gunnarson

By Jon Doel Comments
The Cardiff City selection debate: Has Jordon Mutch done enough to replace Aron Gunnarsson in the Bluebirds starting XI?
1st Oct 2013.


There is much more to come from Craven Cottage match-winner Jordon Mutch – but the midfielder still has to show patience over a starting spot for now
by Terry Phillips


Who would you pick against Newcastle United?

Jordon Mutch
Aron Gunnarsson




Bluebirds boss Malky Mackay had urged him to shoot more and – bang – the ball was whistling past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.

Three points for Cardiff City, their first away win in the top flight since November 1961.

Thanks very much for coming.

In isolation it might not have been more significant than that three points and the confidence shot-in-the-arm that comes with such a victory.

But then Mutch had been impressed during the Capital One Cup defeat at West Ham and after replacing Kim Bo-Kyung at Craven Cottage.

So Mackay has been set a poser he loves to have... players pushing for first-team places.

Now the wily Scot has to decide whether Mutch is ready to make his first Premier League start for Cardiff against Newcastle at home on Saturday?

Or is the best plan of attack to nurture young talent and hold back the fast-developing 21-year-old a little longer?

There is no question that Mutch is a quality operator with a big future in the game, but right now it effectively comes down to him and Aron Gunnarsson for that central midfield role.


' Aron Gunnarsson '
Iceland captain Gunnarsson, only turned 24, is a box-to-box midfield player effective both in the arts of attacking and defending.

The arrival of the Chilean international Gary Medel, who patrols in front of the back four to break up attacks with such instinctive timing, has released Gunnarsson to play further forward.

Medel’s mobility means that Gunnarsson can power forward knowing things behind him are firmly under control.

But whereas Gunnarsson missed a couple of half-decent chances on Saturday, Mutch was immediately to the fore with his driving runs and ability to pick a pass.

His low ball in from the right set up a great chance for Fraizer Campbell which the England striker scooped over the bar.

Then, with the match heading for a 1-1 draw, Mutch stepped in with the most dramatic intervention of his career, a 30-yard bullet with his weaker left-foot.

That coup de grace on the back of strong performances at West Ham and Fulham has given Mackay plenty of food for thought ahead of his team selection for Newcastle.

It’s a close call but the right man for the role for me at the moment is Gunnarsson, an experienced and tenacious midfielder who has learned the role for club and country.

Mutch will continue to make progress but I don’t think it will harm him to wait a little longer for a starting role at City.

Mackay noted, quite rightly, the quality of Mutch’s overall performance and particularly that firecracker of a winner.

But Gunnarsson is the man in possession and has done nothing make Mackay think less of him.

And what’s that old adage about changing a winning team?


Who would you pick against Newcastle United?

Jordon Mutch
Aron Gunnarsson




For his own part, Mutch is prepared to wait and build a long and successful Cardiff career.

“It’s fantastic to be playing Premier League football for Cardiff and I want to be doing that for a long time yet,” said Mutch, whose debut in the top flight came more than two years ago for Birmingham at Manchester United.

“Last season was simply perfect when we won the Championship title – and I’d love this season to be even better.”

Mutch made only three Premier League appearances for Birmingham – against United, Wigan and Everton during the 2010-11 season.

But he made a major impact for Watford in a loan spell under Mackay, scoring five goals in 23 appearances on loan.

The Derby-born midfielder’s attitude and work ethic impressed Mackay greatly and he was one of the best players at Championship level that season.

His form was such that when he returned to Birmingham then-Blues boss Alex McLeish gave him his Premier League debut.

Now he’s back in the top-flight – a couple of years older and a lot wiser – and knows that with time on his side he has a big admirer in Mackay.

Mutch or Gunnarsson? See what Nathan Blake and Steve Tucker make of the latest issues at Cardiff City



“Cardiff has everything in place for the Premier League,” he said.

“Look around the training ground, the stadium, the pitch. It is outstanding.

“These are exciting times to be a part of what is happening at this club and I love it here.”

Mutch finished last season’s charge to the Championship title playing regularly as he helped keep Peter Whittingham on the sidelines.

That eye-catching form came after he had been troubled by a foot injury for much of the campaign.

He is ready to fly, no question about that. But Mackay’s methods are working and the Medel/Gunnarsson/Whittingham/Odemwingie unit with Kim floating behind Campbell looked a potent line-up at Fulham.

Mutch may just have to show a little more patience...but don’t be surprised if he still plays a big part for City this season.

Always knew mutch was capable of that kind of goal against fulham. For me I would pick mutch to give gunner a rest but question is can mutch produce that week in week out

I do like Mutch but Gunnar for me against Newcastle

its a good dilemma to have. a lot of people were confident that the midfielders we already had at the club were good enough for this level. Gunnersson whitts mutch and kim have all done well already.

Mutch deserves a game. For me, the choice is between Gunnarson and Kimbo

Because how quickly medel has settled in and how awesome he is defensivey i think we can go with a more attack minded midefielder in there and that is mutch for me.

But we know Malky sets up his team solid and not to get beat so he wil more likely start with gunnarson and bring mutch on to win the game more than start with mutch and bring gunnarson on to shore things up

Mutch is more of a goal threat than Gunnarsson, that cross into the box for Campbell was a peach and that goal...say no more

Mutch is more of a goal threat than Gunnarsson, that cross into the box for Campbell was a peach and that goal...say no more

not sure i agree about that. Gunnersson got 8 last season, 1 this and has had several good chances.

I don't think Mutch is defensive minded enough to replace Gunner. I would like see him playing in the more advanced role Kim plays. He wouldn't be as shot shy as Kim was against Spurs and could provide goals from midfield.

Mutch is more of a goal threat than Gunnarsson, that cross into the box for Campbell was a peach and that goal...say no more

That was Mutch's first goal for us

I think out first half display was fantastic in the second half when we made the subs fulham did have a long spell when they bombarded us so given how strong we were in the first half I dont think theirs a reason to start mutch,

although possibly his mutches ball contention and passing is a fraction better overall I think gunnarson offers us all round balance

I think out first half display was fantastic in the second half when we made the subs fulham did have a long spell when they bombarded us so given how strong we were in the first half I dont think theirs a reason to start mutch,

although possibly mutches ball contention and passing is a fraction better overall I think gunnarson offers us all round balance

I am not certain that Gunnar is Mid table premier league class. If you can't keep the ball in this league you're dead.
Gary Medel has showed us how to play the defensive midfield position, he can break up play, pick a pass, keep possession, and link further forward. Whitts can only do three of those attributes; Gunner can only do two.

Backs to the wall, fight our way out, Gunnar every day. Try to keep possession and win;then its Whitts in with Gary and bring a genuine forward in to replace Whitts.

Mutch for me Gunnarson has had a poor few games..

Mutch deserves to start I reckon. Although I think Gunnarsson is an overall better player.

Gunnarsson, I'd drop Kim Bo instead. Cracking player but hasn't really lit up the league like most thought he would. Maybe some time in the sides would do him good

its got to be mutch for me I think this boy is only going to get better

Mutch deserves his chance and after that strike on Saturday he has earned his chance.

I know he works hard but Gunnarson is not PL standard for me. He will always feature (until January at least) but maybe some time on the bench will sharpen him up.

Whoever Malky decides

Gunnarsson over Mutch.