Scout Report – Chris Gunter
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Reading’s summer recruitment drive showed no signs of letting up after the club announced the capture of Chris Gunter from Nottingham Forest in a deal rumoured to be in the region of £2.5m. The 22-year-old arrived at the Madejski Stadium on a three-year contract, with the option of a further year, and is the sixth player to join Brian McDermott’s side since the Royals clinched the npower Championship title last season.
Snapped up on the same day as Adrian Mariappa from Watford, Gunter’s arrival boosts McDermott’s backline options and perhaps puts him in the driving seat to nail down the right-back role ahead of Shaun Cummings for the upcoming campaign. Cummings was the Royals’ first-choice option last time round but failed to impress from an attacking perspective, with no goals or assists to his name; Gunter’s speed and attacking sensibilities should add a key ingredient to the Royals play from deep and affords Fantasy managers an intriguing option in the cut-price bracket.
Upon completion of his move, the new boy revealed McDermott played a major part in persuading him to leave the City Ground after three full seasons as a Forest regular:
You only have to look at what Reading have achieved in the last couple of years to realise what a good manager Brian McDermott is. I also spoke to Garath McCleary when he joined Reading from Nottingham Forest and the first thing he mentioned was the manager too. So when I met Brian myself he was exactly what I expected. He played a massive part in my decision to join this club. I’m yet to meet anyone who has anything but massively positive things to say about him and the club.
The Statistics
A prodigious talent, Gunter signed for Cardiff City’s youth academy at the age of eight and penned his first professional contract less than two weeks after his 17th birthday in August 2006. The full-back featured 15 times, returning one assist in his debut campaign and, after a further 13 appearances in his second season for the Welsh outfit, was snapped up by Spurs midway through 2007-08 in a deal thought to be worth £2m.
After so much early promise, Gunter’s career came to an abrupt halt at White Hart Lane, however; he made just five league appearances during his time at the club before moving to Forest on loan in March 2009 – the brief loan spell saw Gunter appear eight times and his impressive performances were enough to convince the club to fork out £1.75m for his services in July 2009. From then on, he quickly established himself as a vital first-team member; Gunter has missed just five games in the past three seasons, appearing 133 times for the City Ground side and returning two goals and 13 assists.
The Prospects
There’s no doubt Gunter looks an intriguing option for Fantasy managers eyeing up the Reading defence. Ian Harte initially looked the best bet; with set-piece duties and spot-kicks in the bag, the former Leeds man returned four goals and eight assists in just 32 appearances last term but the subsequent acquisition of Nicky Shorey clearly places plenty doubt around both players’ game time at left-back.
In the middle, it’s a similar scenario. Alex Pearce and Kaspars Gorkss appeared to be nailed-on but Mariappa’s arrival means there is uncertainty over McDermott’s preferred central defensive partnership right now, suggesting Gunter, at right-back, could be the most secure. Last season he returned a goal and five assists; a significant improvement on Cummings’ attacking output, though it should be noted that Mariappa is versatile enough to play at right-back, affording the Royals boss further options in defence.
Priced at 4.0 in both Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and the Sky Sports game, the former Forest man will pick up plenty interest if he manages to cement a role as a regular at the Madejski. The fact that Reading were relatively reliable in terms of home/away defensive returns last term is likely to make it easier for Fantasy managers to bench Gunter when the Royals head out on the road; 12 clean sheets and 18 goals conceded at home compared to eight and 23 respectively away illustrates the fact that McDermott’s men were defensively superior in front of their own fans.
Early interest in Gunter could be tempered by an ankle injury suffered in training that has kept him out of the pre-season reckoning. The latest reports suggest that a scan on the injury revealed no serious damage, indicating that the full-back will be in the equation for the season kick-off.
With a double Gameweek to start off the season as Reading host Stoke before a tricky trip to Chelsea, we should quickly get an idea of McDermott’s thinking for the season ahead. As mentioned above, the home games are likely to be targeted as potential for points but with only Spurs and Newcastle visiting by the end of Gameweek 8, it may well be that we take a step back from Reading’s defensive assets, with their Madejski schedule taking a turn for the better from Gameweek 9 onwards.
Further Reference
About The Author
paul
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August 2 at 10:02 am
denial says:
Morning chaps. Anyone got a link to or idea of what tosey’s ‘defensive idea’ is?
August 2 at 10:03 am
Damo says:
Triple City defence I think yesterday
August 2 at 10:05 am
denial says:
Blimey. OK, not sure about that!
August 2 at 10:10 am
Damo says:
Yeah I think that was the general consensus alright. But who are we to judge
August 2 at 10:08 am
goonerbyron says:
Can’t see any benefits of triple City defence at all. They have a good home game against Southampton and then Liverpool away? What are you going to do with them all in GW2?
August 2 at 10:14 am
denial says:
I think tosey tripled up on Pool defence last year for a spell and it worked well. With City, I’d want some of their attacking points too.
August 2 at 10:15 am
tosey says:
here you go denial
hart, daniels
kompany, lescott, cole, 4m, 4m
im going with cole to start with but will probably downgrade to another 4m
August 2 at 10:22 am
denial says:
Nice one. I’ve been tempted to go for Hart too this season (but not 2 other City defenders!). Wish I had the balls to go for something like that, but I prefer to go for a fairly generic, standard team at the beginning.
August 2 at 10:27 am
tosey says:
i try to go for proven players but take a gamble aswell
citys defensive record from mid-december was amazing so while it is a gamble it is, imo, calculated
August 2 at 10:28 am
goonerbyron says:
Surely this really destroys your mid/attack?
August 2 at 10:33 am
tosey says:
not really, if i downgrade cole gwk3 my back 7 will cost me £37m which isnt that much more than everyone elses and i expect to keep more cleanies with my backline than others
the only downside is having no city attack but i expect all of them to be rotated at some point as can see aguero being used in the CL more this season than last
also theres alot of cheap strikers offering value thsi season
August 2 at 10:03 am
skooldaze says:
Anyone else running their own league with money on the line – I’ve done it before but dipping my toe back in with running a new league this season after a couple of years break.
Forgot what an arse it is chasing people for committment and money. Anyone got any tips?
August 2 at 10:04 am
Mohit Gianani says:
There’s this guy on Twitter called FourFourTom who’s organizing a 5 pound entry fee league. Head over there and check out his tweets if you want.
August 2 at 10:05 am
Frank Spankhard says:
blackmail
August 2 at 10:07 am
goonerbyron says:
I’ve entered one this year instead of running my own. Like you said, way too much hassle chasing people up for the money!
August 2 at 10:12 am
ChristIna says:
Some advice from a person that won a money league 2 years ago and never got paid.
GET THE MONEY UP FRONT PRIOR TO RELEASING LEAGUE CODES.
August 2 at 10:19 am
Damo says:
Think you should just set a deadline for 2-3 weeks after the game starts. That way everyone still thinks they have a chance and are more likely to pay up in my experience. After that just delete whoever’s being a cabbage.
August 2 at 12:48 pm
drshirts says:
Hey Skooldaze, have you looked at leaguesafe.com…they charge a fee but takes hassle out of it?
August 2 at 10:04 am
BLUE BLOODED GORKHALI-BLUE IS THE COLOR !!! says:
Some Algebra for you guys
DDG X1
A.Cole Lescott X2 X3 X4
Bale Hazard Guthrie Pienaar Michu
Torres Aguerro Petric
17 m to spend.
Any other suggestions?
August 2 at 10:15 am
Grendino says:
Federici,
Cuellar, Demel, Clyne
August 2 at 10:17 am
BLUE BLOODED GORKHALI-BLUE IS THE COLOR !!! says:
Clyne & Demel.Really nailed on?
August 2 at 10:05 am
Grendino says:
Opinions on this – this is my first season so all comments welcome:
De Gea, Federici;
Clichy, Cuellar, A Cole, Jenkinson, Fabio;
Noble, Silva, Hazard, Pienaar, Maloney;
Graham, Adebayor, Torres
£2m in bank for Torres – Rooney GW2
August 2 at 10:06 am
Frank Spankhard says:
hazardous rotation at chelsea imo. cech for de gea, then replace hazard with united midfield.
August 2 at 10:17 am
squillaciforcaptain says:
Looks good. Jenkinson has looked a bit off the pace in pre-season but he’s a decent punt with Sagna still out. Hazard definately a risk like most of the Chelsea mids at the moment. I’d have Valencia there instead or maybe Kagawa if you fancy the gamble. Other than that your golden.
August 2 at 10:05 am
ninja says:
Views on this team please lads, thanks
Bego jussi
Cole lescott cuellar fabio clyne
Valencia lampard larsson noble guthrie
Torres tevez rooney
August 2 at 10:09 am
Limpar says:
Nice. Should score highly. I’d rather have Silva and Tevez than Rooney + Valencia if you can find the extra million. But i’m not sure where it comes from looking at your team..
August 2 at 10:11 am
ninja says:
Ok thanks, yeah I’m going to struggle ti find that 1m without making drastic changes
August 2 at 10:15 am
Limpar says:
Something like Lampard > Ramires would allow Valencia > Silva
with another 1M to spend elsewhere?
I thought Ramires was more assured of starts than Lamps, but could be wrong.
August 2 at 10:19 am
ninja says:
I really think lampard could be nailed on more than any other mid for chelsea even if it is a bit deeper, pens, free kicks and corners should get him points, I think 9m could be a bargain, especially for the opening dgw
August 2 at 10:20 am
Limpar says:
Yep. Could well be. I’m trying not to be too drawn in by the double game week right now.. looking season long. But may well cave nearer the time.
August 2 at 10:26 am
ninja says:
I may well do lamps and torres for silva +9m striker in gw3, it gives me options, thats why I dont like the bandwagon torres > rooney move, its very restricted, get roo and torres in from the start and you’ve got options
August 2 at 10:11 am
lord_trumpington says:
Is Bego going to be first choice? I’v currently got Jussi and Fed, but would take Bego in an instant if I knew he was nailed on
August 2 at 10:13 am
Mr Blue says:
http://www1.skysports.com/foot.....1/7955486/
Dont think Bego is nailed on, no…
August 2 at 10:15 am
ninja says:
I ain’t 100%, its a gamble, I know stoke have a tough first few games but they come nice after that, so its saving me a transfer later on. Does frederici rotate nicely with jussi, I can only afford 2.x 4.5 gk’s
August 2 at 10:23 am
lord_trumpington says:
Mark’s article suggests it works. I am also tempted to go with Jussi and Ruddy
August 2 at 10:26 am
ninja says:
+1 had that art the start, may still do it
August 2 at 10:25 am
CoYi says:
Hate to throw a spanner in the works, but I am not 100% sure Jussi will be first choice!
August 2 at 10:42 am
ninja says:
Who else?
August 2 at 10:54 am
CoYi says:
Henderson from pompey. Pretty highly rated, but they may give him a little time before throwing him straight in….
August 2 at 10:55 am
Doosra - "They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America?" - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
He has had one BRILLIANT match, and then made an ‘orrible ricketts a few days later …
August 2 at 11:08 am
CoYi says:
Yeah I heard about the clanger he made…….I hope he’s the real deal as I’m not convinced by Jussi these days! :/
August 2 at 11:10 am
Doosra - "They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America?" - A Noble quote from Fidel says:
You and me both. Ghastly.
August 2 at 10:18 am
squillaciforcaptain says:
Looks cracking with the exception of Fwank.
I agree with others, get Ramires in there and he’ll free up some cash too.
Solid team tho.
August 2 at 10:21 am
ninja says:
Do you not think frank could do well as hes on pens fk’s and corners in a dgw, I may just keep him for the dgw, I think he should be favorite to score more than most other mids because of the dgw
August 2 at 10:24 am
lord_trumpington says:
I think Frank’s worth a punt for the dgw provided you’ve got a contingency plan to get rid. I’m contemplating starting with him then doing Frank>Siggy in GW2 (double up with Bale)
August 2 at 10:30 am
ninja says:
Yeah or bale, thats why I think people need to get roon in from the start, so your not restricted to do the torres > roo transfer gw2
August 2 at 10:30 am
squillaciforcaptain says:
He could do well for sure. I just don’t like him
Just a gut feeling on my part, which generally turn out to be completely wrong.
With pens, fk’s and corners I can understand the selection for a DGW.
August 2 at 10:07 am
webbywebbywebby says:
Maloney OR Noble
With good reasons please. This is the only decision I have left to make and my squad is complete.
August 2 at 10:10 am
Mr Blue says:
Think Ive got this right, but Maloney “should” only be value if Wigan continues to play 3-4-3, right?
Imho I think Noble is the better choice to start with, thats what Im doing anyway.. Also not sure if Maloney really is on PK
August 2 at 10:20 am
Hubert says:
WHM have nice fixtures to start too.
August 2 at 10:08 am
webbywebbywebby says:
Utterly astonished to not see Papiss in any RMT’s 8)
August 2 at 10:09 am
King Nil Miss ✩ says:
Fixtures and ramadan are putting people off.
August 2 at 10:09 am
Willis_Hide says:
Newcastle face Tottenham and Chelski in their opening fixtures.
August 2 at 10:12 am
roscola says:
He’s in my team
(after temporary Chelsea DGW signing, this is how it lines up)
Merciless Ming — Green
Rafael — Dawson — S.Taylor — Cuellar — Gunter
Kagawa — Nasri — Siggy — Taraabt — Al Ahmadi
Papiss — Bent — Aguero
0.5 in the bank for Taraabt to become Michu for QPR’s nasty gameweeks
August 2 at 10:13 am
pompeyfan says:
I just don’t expect him to do as well and offer enough value. Much in the same way I wouldn’t have got Marcus Stewart in the season after he did well in the PL
August 2 at 10:08 am
Mohit Gianani says:
What are your favorite funny TV shows? I’m looking for some to download.
August 2 at 10:13 am
Crouch Potato says:
Peep show.
August 2 at 10:14 am
pompeyfan says:
+1. Community is good too
August 2 at 10:15 am
pompeyfan says:
Perhaps a random one, but ‘My New Best Friend’ as amazingly funny
August 2 at 10:17 am
Crouch Potato says:
Haven’t seen it yet.
August 2 at 10:13 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
The Big Bang Theory , there will never be a funnier TV show than that.
August 2 at 10:17 am
Crouch Potato says:
That’s just crazy talk, Alan Partridge, Trailer Park Boys, could go on!
August 2 at 10:18 am
UPTHESHAKERS says:
best tv show is Mock the week. Other good shows are; Scrubs, The Big Bang Theory, The IT Crowd, Peep Show,
August 2 at 10:21 am
Mohit Gianani says:
I’ve seen all of the above except the Peep show. I loved the first two, but The IT crows was dull as hell.
I like watching British humor. I don’t live in the UK so I’m not familiar with too many.
August 2 at 10:22 am
Fade says:
The thick of it, yes minister,
rules of engagement, seinfeld
August 2 at 10:11 am
Crouch Potato says:
Repost, Newcastle make improved offer for Mathiu Debuchy.
August 2 at 10:16 am
Portsmouth Bubblejet says:
Newcastle have only improved their offer for Debuchy from €5 million to €6 million plus a percentage of a future transfer fee.
Lille haven’t responded as yet, but last week they were holding out for at least €8 million. So I don’t think that this move is heading for a quick resolution.
August 2 at 10:12 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
RMT #211
Friedel – Federici
Demel – Lescott – A.Cole – Hangeland – Cuellar
Siggy – Hazard – Pienaar – Michu – Noble
Tevez – Rooney – Petric
Very happy with this team atm, any thoughts guys?
August 2 at 10:14 am
ChristIna says:
Larsson/Mclean over Pienaar for the first couple of weeks me thinks.
August 2 at 10:16 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
Yeah, I have been pondering about that. Still not sure as the FFS community are very split on that.
August 2 at 10:18 am
Mr Blue says:
Im going with McClean, but think I will change that to Larsson if Sunderland buys a good striker.. Fletcher?
August 2 at 10:27 am
lord_trumpington says:
I’m struggling to understand the love on here for McLean/Larsson. Sunderland have Arsenal in GW1 which doesn’t particularly wet my appetite!
August 2 at 10:16 am
Mr Blue says:
Kinda looks like mine..
Friedel – Fed
Fonte – Cuellar – Fabio – Cole – Hangeland
Siggy – Hazard – Noble – McClean – Taarabt
Tevez – Torres (+2m) – Jelavic
August 2 at 10:14 am
Rocky83 says:
Whats the big deal with Pienaar? Average player, average fixtures and in a average team,never really given big returns???
August 2 at 10:17 am
Shotgun says:
Did you miss what he did when he came back to Everton fron Tottenham last season? He was pure FPL gold. Now with Jelavic there and Cahill and Arteta out. Pienaar´s set to shine as a playmaker. He´s going into my team, just not sure when. If this will yet another season where Everton start sloooooooooooooow…
August 2 at 10:17 am
roscola says:
Towards the end of last season he was on fire. Seems to work very well with current Everton squad.
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....n-pienaar/
Also, NEW POST
http://www.fantasyfootballscou.....r-lambert/
August 2 at 10:18 am
KujaliaFC says:
Only the first game is bad, and he’s played his best football at Everton. The mid I’d pick ahead of him is Diaby.
August 2 at 10:18 am
DLL18 says:
Well he did get 4 goals and 7 assists in (I think) 14 games last year, that’s pretty impressive.
August 2 at 10:25 am
Rocky83 says:
Everton allways start poorly and the first few fixtures are not exactly flatering. Safer options available in my opinion thats all.
August 2 at 10:17 am
4vets says:
I quite like the look of that too.
August 2 at 10:18 am
4vets says:
*reply fail to TheSteady
August 2 at 10:23 am
Thesteady-Luis"GOD"Valencia says:
Cheers!
August 2 at 10:21 am
Lucky says:
A) Foster | Mignolet (10.0)
Vidic | Ivanovic ( Williams / Fabio / Gunter ) (27.0)
[37.0]
B) Green | Davis (9.0)
Ivanovic ( Shawcross / Ridgewell ) ( Coloccini / Cuellar ) (26.0)
[37.0]
Which setup do you prefer?
August 2 at 10:39 am
Rocky83 says:
Does anyone think petric is worth a punt for gw1 captain? With everyone going for a chelsea players if they fail it could leave you open for great gains with his preseason form,at home to norwich and pretty low on selection %.
August 2 at 10:41 am
tosey says:
low ownership means hes enough of a differential without captaining him
August 2 at 10:44 am
lord_trumpington says:
Well its certainly different! I have Petric in my team but there is no way I am captaining him with Chelsea and City players in my team
August 2 at 11:06 am
Shaqtalicious says:
4.0 Mil left in the bank where should i upgrade??
De Gea (Federici)
Cole-Evra-Coloccini-Lescott (Gorkss)
Ben Arfa-Larsson-Pienaar-Sinclair (Noble)
Tevez-Torres (Pogrebnyak)
August 2 at 4:55 pm
AvFcxJamie says:
Tevez-Aguero
And Either
Ben Arfa-Siggy OR Larsson-Yaya Toure
August 2 at 11:06 am
ninja says:
For the start of the season
1. Lampard or hazard
2. Valencia or kagawa
3. Larsson or pienaar
4. Noble or maloney
5. Guthrie or britton or frei
August 2 at 2:06 pm
AvFcxJamie says:
Rate My Team!
My Team please view and reply!
2mil left for Torres-Rooney change.
Any help or improvements?
De Gea, Federici.
A.Cole, Lescott, Coloccini, Cuellar, Barnett.
Hazard, Sigurdsson, Pienaar, Noble, Britton.
Aguero, Torres, Pogrebnyak.
Also: Sigurdsson, Kagawa, Valencia, Yaya Toure or Young?