Bob Moncur: Guthrie and Perch are important players

Bob Moncur has hailed Danny Guthrie and James Perch as “important players” for Newcastle United.

Moncur has been impressed by the duo’s performances in recent weeks, however, he is happy to see Cheick Tiote and Yohan Cabaye return for selection. He told the Chronicle:

“It’s great that Tiote and Cabaye are back.

“But I think it’s unfair to say that United have missed them badly.

“Most of the results while they’ve been out have been good, and Danny Guthrie and James Perch were tremendous against Blackburn and Aston Villa.

“Tiote and Cabaye are probably first-choice when they’re available, they’re key players.”

Moncur, who won the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup with NUFC, did concede that Guthrie and Perch were out of their depth against Tottenham, he added:

“Against a top, top side like Tottenham, you can probably get away with being without one. Two is a different matter.

“But you can’t blame Guthrie and Perch, that was just one of those days.

“They’re important parts of the squad and it would be disrespectful to them to suggest that United have struggled without the so-called bigger names.”

Bob Moncur made 296 appearances in all competitions for Newcastle between 1962 and 1974.