Source: SKY_Sports
Butt - Toon going backwards
Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt knows the club need to get out of reverse if they are to avoid relegation from the Premier League.[LNB] 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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Newcastle were playing UEFA Champions League football in 2003/04 and reached the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup in the same season.[LNB]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.[LNB]"We have gone backwards in the last few years and we are under no illusions what we have to do," Butt told The Independent.[LNB]Massive games"We have some massive games ahead. We have to keep this club in the Premier League.[LNB]"We need to put this season to bed and kick on next season. You seem to say that a lot at Newcastle."[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]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. [LNB]Butt added: "He came in under pressure and shock. He took it on the chin.[LNB]"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."[LNB]
