Loven isn't a midfielder though.
Alright then, he's not an out and out striker, that's what I was getting at.
Imo the only midfielder we've got who can split a defence and create something is Barton. Without him our central midfield is at best hard working and at worst totally ineffective.
Guthrie is a decent workhorse who would be a good squad player (in a decent squad) and Guttierez, for all his hard work, lacks any sort of end product - well at least he had done so far this season.
Agreed, I didn't mention Barton because he's been out injured.