Tony Butler

[Godzilla]

Haven't read through all the posts yet this evening, but my man of the match today was Tony Butler.

He had a very good game at Brentford, and was even better today. He was given the tough task of handling the massive Steve Fletcher, and won almost everything in the air, and looked calmed and assured on the deck.

Dropping him was more than justified back in November, but if he continues to play as he is currently I find it difficult to leave him out again.

Much better Tony, more of the same please.

[Guest Rob]

He won a lot of aerial balls and i will grant him that yet what i feel is that whenever Tony Butler is at the back we look abit this-organised and not too sure of ourselves.

This could be either me, coincidental or down to Butler being at fault somewhere.

I felt alot more comfortable with Colesy and Matty in the middle who also plays far better in the centre than he does out left because of his poor distribution.

But fair play to the bloke he did put in a good individual performance today however i was worried about the number of chances were presented to Bournemouth in the second half.

[A Horse With No Name]

I think Tony Butler was only recalled at Brentford as a tactical move, to help counter all the long, high balls they pump into the area. It worked so well that he was kept in for todays game, against a team who like to try to play a passing game. I agree that he was a revelation today, back to his old self, and it just goes to show that a month or so's rest can give players a much needed kick up the backside. Similarly, Tommy Doc was fantastic today, his tackling, workrate and best of all, passing were all top notch, and he well deserved his man of the match award. I don't believe that any player has a devine right to a place in the team, and with a squad as big as ours, we should be resting our stars at certain times. Who knows, even Joe Burnell may come back able to pass forwards.