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Interviews

INTERVIEW: Butcher on tomorrow's game

Midfielder Matt Butcher is loving life in the North West following his move from AFC Bournemouth

25 September 2020

Interviews

INTERVIEW: Butcher on tomorrow's game

Midfielder Matt Butcher is loving life in the North West following his move from AFC Bournemouth

25 September 2020

Ahead of tomorrow's game against Oxford United, Accrington Stanley midfielder Matt Butcher admitted that he's loving life in the North West following his summer move from AFC Bournemouth.

The 23-year-old has played in all four games so far this season and he's hoping that the team can put in a positive performance tomorrow, similar to the one against Peterborough United two weeks ago.

"It's obviously great to come in and get minutes straightaway, that's something I've looked to do this season and hopefully that can continue.

"Hopefully we can build on that initial game, the three points on the opening day, and we're obviously disapppointed to have not got anything out of the game at the weekend.

"We've got to take the positives from that first game into tomorrow afternoon's game."

Butcher has previously been on loan at Woking, Yeovil Town and St Johnstone, but he explained how his move to the North West has given him the chance to completely focus on football.

"I've loved my time here so far, like I've said previously, the football reasons outweigh any of the worries about moving up here.

"It's exciting being in a different part of the country that I've never seen before, it's a chance for me to reset and focus fully on my football."

The Reds conceded a late goal from John Brayford in last weekend's 2-1 defeat to Burton Albion, and Butcher explained that the team needs to put in a better performance against Karl Robinson's Oxford side.

"Looking back at last weekend's game, we probably weren't at our best but it looked as though we were going to get something out of the game which would have been good at that stage.

"If we can focus on a good performance tomorrow like we did on the opening day then that three points does become easier.

"Ultimately if we have a game where we're not at our best but we can get something out of the game, then that's what good teams do."

Having already beaten one of the favourites to go up in Peterborough, the midfielder also feels that this squad is capable of beating any team in Sky Bet League One this season.

"You've got to take each game differently, obviously we can take great positives from the win over Peterborough who are one of the favourites to go up.

"If we are at our best then we feel like we can beat any team in the league, we've got to be positive and focus on taking the game to them as much as their threats."

Despite being only 23-years-old, Butcher is very vocal and one of the senior players when out on the pitch and he admitted that it's a role he has been more than happy to take on.

"I've always been fairly vocal on the pitch, and I quite enjoy being one of the players that can help organise.

"We've got a great bunch of lads here, no one takes anything personal when you're on the pitch so it's been quite an easy transition in that respect.

"I'd rather come in and look to help organise and get in one of those roles earlier rather than later on in the season."

After signing a two-year deal with the Reds, the Portsmouth-born midfielder believes that it helps that everyone in the squad is working towards the same goal.

"To be honest I've been coming in with a couple of the lads, I lived in Manchester for a bit and now Liverpool short-term until I get something sorted.

"Everyone's been really good, it's quite a tight group of players and it's a young squad so everyone is one the same page.

"All the lads want to impress and they want to improve as well, so having that unanimous work ethic as a group let's everyone settle in."


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