Newcastle United: 2008- League Appearances: 187 League Goals: 11 If Jonas Gutierrez's strike against West Ham United is his final contribution in a black-and-white shirt, then what a way to bow out. The Argentine midfielder arrived at Newcastle in the summer of 2008 - and his first campaign was a miserable one, with the club relegated from the Premier League. However, Gutierrez showed immense loyalty to the Toon Army and stayed put, helping Newcastle to bounce back at the first attempt. Once Newcastle were back in the Premier League, Gutierrez became someone who Magpies supporters would often criticise for his lack of creativity as a winger. Yet few, if any, players to ever play for Newcastle have put more into every single performance than Gutierrez. Just 11 goals in 187 league appearances is not a great return, but the industrious Gutierrez always gave his all for the team - and he regularly filled in at left-back or defensive-midfield when he was asked to, without complaint. An inspirational figure who returned to football following a battle with cancer, Gutierrez is the sort of player every football team needs - and Newcastle United will be a poorer club without him.
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
