Butt - Toon going backwards

Newcastle midfielder looks for change of direction

Last updated: 18th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Butt - Toon going backwards

Butt: Magpies concern

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Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt knows the club need to get out of reverse if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The Magpies are only out of the drop zone on goal difference and face a testing end-of-season run-in with their next two matches against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Veteran midfielder Butt, who has been on the books at St James' Park since July 2004, has witnessed a steady decline in the club's fortunes.

Newcastle were playing UEFA Champions League football in 2003/04 and reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup in the same season.

Two more Uefa Cup campaigns followed, but since then the club have endured turmoil on and off the field, culminating in this season's battle against the drop.

"We have gone backwards in the last few years and we are under no illusions what we have to do," Butt told The Independent.

Massive games

"We have some massive games ahead. We have to keep this club in the Premier League.

"We need to put this season to bed and kick on next season. You seem to say that a lot at Newcastle."

Butt has played under several managers during his time in the North East, but feels Joe Kinnear has the full support of the players in their relegation scrap.

The former Wimbledon boss is currently recovering at home following major heart surgery, but is expected to be back in the dugout early next month.

Former Manchester United and England man Butt saluted Kinnear for stepping up to the challenge of leading the Magpies after Kevin Keegan's early-season exit.

Butt added: "He came in under pressure and shock. He took it on the chin.

"In football you see a lot of bluffers, Jose is not one of them. He tells you to your face and that is what the players like."