Guthrie unfazed by doubters

Guthrie: Untroubled by predictions

Danny Guthrie insists Newcastle's players will not be troubled by predictions of a relegation struggle this season.

The Magpies have been tipped by many to drop back into the Championship next term after rejoining the top flight this year.

But after upsetting the odds with their romp to the second tier title last season, 23-year-old midfielder Guthrie is confident the St James' Park club can defy expectations once again.

"A lot of people wrote us off before a ball had been kicked in the Championship," Guthrie told the Northern Echo.

"So whatever is thrown at us in terms of pre-season predictions, we'll just

ignore it. We have to.

"If we had worried about what people were saying about us 12 months ago, we might never have got promoted.

"There was so much doubt last year, it doesn't bother us if people are saying we're going to struggle in the Premier League. It was nice to prove people wrong and hopefully we can do that again this season."

Readjust

Despite his positive outlook, Guthrie admits he and his team-mates will have to embrace their new role as underdogs as they readjust to life in the Premier League.

"Last year, we were the team everybody wanted to beat, the scalp everyone wanted to take," he added.

"It'll be completely different coming back into the Premier League.

"We were the top team in the Championship, but the roles are going to be slightly different this season. We know it's going to be a lot harder for us, home and away, but we'll still go into every game believing we can win it."