Final thought - Richard Butcher: Lost in Translation

Last updated : 03 February 2008 By Paul Smith
As the summer signing from Peterborough United brilliantly and effortlessly slammed home a loose ball to put Notts ahead against Grimsby Town yesterday, I found myself wondering where we would be without him - or Kevin Pilkington for that matter.

Because that was his tenth strike of a fantastic individual season - and this all
Butcher... Overlooked?
from midfield.

A great return with it only being February - and there is obvious potential for the run to continue and for him to grab 15, or even 20 if given the chance.

Because his finishing, and ability to pop almost unnoticed at times into the opposition area, added to his fantastic shooting from outside of the box, create one dangerous footballer.

Notts are much better with him on their side.

Yet I find myself aghast at the lack of credit the six footer is getting for his excellence. It is bizzare that many fans remain critical of him - what more can he do?

Still many look at other aspects of his game, almost desperate to find a weakness. And some leave him out of their 'best Notts elevens'. I find that incredible.

Take away his goals and Notts would have six more losses to their name and have six points left, meaning they would drop to level on points with second bottom Wrexham.

But because those ten goals of Butcher's would be taken off, Notts' goal difference would be worse and so the Magpies would be inside the relegation zone, only just ahead of fierce rivals Mansfield Town.

Celebrating... This time with Myles Weston and Neil MacKenzie
Sure, we haven't actually won in any of the games Butcher has netted in, and some have even blamed him for that would you believe - a tiny minority of idiots of course.

That is hardly his fault.

And while his goals are precious, many suggest that is all he has in his locker. For one, if it was, he would still be one of the first names on the teamsheet simply because nobody else seems capable of scoring consistently.

And two, this is of course a great lie. Many criticise his passing. No, it is true he isn't as good at keeping possession as the tidy Gavin Strachan, and he doesn't spread the play as well as playmaker Neil MacKenzie, but he is the most ambitious of the passers in the club.

He will often try the long ball that picks an onrushing striker out over the top
Thompson... Did something for the club at least
- think the chance for Jason Lee against MK Dons that left him one on one, and likewise Lawrie Dudfield's similar oppurtunity against Chester City.

He is also one of the hardest working and fittest players at the club.

Note how he hasn't moaned when he has been shifted about the pitch to accomodate others, even though it is they who should be accomodating him. He has played his preferred central midfield, right wing, left wing and as an emergency attacker.

Not only that, but he is clearly one of the most passionate about the club. When arriving as one of Steve Thompson's latest summer transfers, Butcher said that he had always had a soft spot for the club, despite having never had anything to do with it other than play against Notts before.

And he is always first to put personal glory behind team success.

So, if others aren't prepared to do as much, then NCM will do it instead.

Richard Butcher, we salute you.