Nicky Butt signed for Newcastle three years ago when Sir Bobby Robson brought him to the club for about ₤2M.
Since then Nicky has seen four managers at Newcastle after having only ever played for Sir Alex Ferguson before coming to Newcastle.
Nicky today sings the praises of new manager Sam Allardyce and compares Sam with Sir Alex, a compliment indeed.
Nicky Butt – Sam very like Sir Alex Ferguson
Nicky Butt told the Sunday Sun today:
“Sam has set up a whole new regime with an emphasis on dedication and commitment,” ”He’s made it clear no one will be taking anything for granted. You have to work hard every day.”
“He’s a no-nonsense manager. When he was at Bolton, he looked like a tough man to play for – he would take no crap -and I’m sure he’s going to bring that here.”
“In a way, it reminds me of OId Trafford.â€
“The way it was set out there, with the manager and the staff, it was always 100 per cent every day in training and obviously Sam’s trying to emulate that.â€
“There are similar characteristics. You definitely know who’s boss, as you do at United.”
“Sam’s the man everyone looks up to: when he walks onto the training pitch everyone steps up a level. This is the best I’ve felt about a set-up since I was at United.”
Butt is now in the final year of his four-year contract at the club and probably playing his best football since he’s been at Newcastle. Nicky would like to stay at the club and finish his career here. Since Nicky no longer has any England aspirations he can concentrate on chasing success with Newcastle.
Nicky went on:
“It’s very important for me to win something else before I retire,”
“I’m 33 in January and I’d like to finish my career here. I think I have a couple more years left and if we could sort out a new contract, that would be great.”
Allardyce admitted:
“I’m glad to see the old Nicky Butt looking like he’s in the same mode he was for United and England.”
“He’s trawled himself through a traumatic time and I hope he can finally lay to rest the disappointment of leaving United.“
“People with the character of Nicky Butt, Joey Barton and Alan Smith have an effect on the dressing-room.”
“You know when there’s a good dressing-room, you can smell when there’s a bad one. The fact the smell is disappearing gives me great heart.”
We think Nicky Butt has come through hell and high water at Newcastle but he has proved himself a survivor like most players initially trained at Manchester United.
While there will be no sentiment on Sam’s part we would hope that Nicky can still do a job for the club over the next few years. Certainly his fitness will not be a factor now under Big Sam.
What do you think – do you want Nicky Butt to stay on?
Comments always welcome.
9 comments so far
Patrick
Aug 26, 2007 at 9:09 AM
Comment #1Butt is a good player on midfield. In my own view I would like to see his career ended in Newcastle.
A geordiedoonsooth
Aug 26, 2007 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2We need to keep players like Butt he could be another Gary Speed & play for another 5 years.
Swanx
Aug 26, 2007 at 9:40 AM
Comment #3After a poor start to his Newcastle career and the god damn awful display against ManUre, Nicky Butt has turned it around and now has the majority of the fans supporting him, if not all of them. I would like to see him extend his contract up here.
I was so pleased that it was Parker that left and not Nicky butt.
ChrisL
Aug 26, 2007 at 9:54 AM
Comment #4I reckon he’s worth so much more on the pitch then he’s given credit for by a lot of people.
Hammy
Aug 26, 2007 at 9:56 AM
Comment #5It would have been easy for Butt to go in a sulk after been shipped out to Birmingham and his career to slip into oblivion but credit to him he has come back, knuckled down and looked to re-establish himself at Newcastle,
I’m sure most Toon fans appreciate his efforts and most Geordies can forgive and forget if a player is willing to give his all to NUFC. The days of players’ ambling around the pitch, hands on hips looking disinterested are long gone under BSA.
Alex
Aug 26, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Comment #6Butt along with Milner was the reason we stayed in the premership last season. He showed us what a fighter he is .If he carries on in the form he is in now maybe an England recall is on the cards.
Graeme
Aug 26, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Comment #7Butt is a credit to himself and the club. He is a complete Proffessional and has always conducted himself as such, just like Michael Owen and Shearer. Under BSA I think Butt will have several years left in the tank and will continue to be a very strong influence on the pitch and off it!!!!
Lull , Malaysia
Aug 26, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Comment #8Nicky Butt… Nicky Nicky Butt….
khumbu
Sep 7, 2007 at 8:17 AM
Comment #9He is the best player in the newcastle midfield and i can see it here in south Africa