Guthrie: This is my team now

Seven months ago, Danny Guthrie refused to play for the club. Now, he says he feels at home and wants to help the young players develop.

The 26-year old was often omitted by former boss Brian McDermott and it came to the boil at the end of December last season, when Danny refused to travel with the squad to Sunderland. It appeared his Reading career was over, until new boss Nigel Adkins came in and revitalised the midfielder, putting his dark days behind him.

Speaking to the Reading Post about the incidents last season, Guthrie said: ‘No-one wants to be in the situation that I found myself in but I got through it and it`s definitely made me a stronger character. We learn from everything and it was certainly something I learned from. It`s made me more mature, it`s made me a wiser player.”

“I feel like this is my team now and I want to get the best out of people. The best way to do that is to encourage. I`ve been there. I`ve played under players who were horrible. They thought the best way to help someone was to keep telling them what they were doing wrong but there`s a limit to that.’

Adkins also made Guthrie captain on the odd occasion in pre-season when McAnuff wasn’t playing, is will probably be the vice-captain for the season. What a difference a change of manager can make. Guthrie was neglected by McDermott, but Adkins has made him feel wanted again and I’m sure he will have a great season.