Pre Rovers: Butty

As one of the few stalwarts of the side, Nicky Butt was sorely missed against West Ham as we laboured to a 2-2 draw. With the likes of Giggs and Gary Neville enjoying an Indian summer at the Mancs, it must be hard for Butt not to feel a pang of regret. He said:

"I have got to be able to play two or three games a week. The way we are at the moment I have to keep myself ready and fit for every game. We are short of players, so unfortunately I don`t have the luxury of getting rested.

t this club at the minute we don`t have the strength and depth to do that, because of injuries. I have to play in every game I`m available for and I`m not complaining. All I want to do is play football, it`s just a bit heavy on the legs. I`m sure if the manager gets a few players in I will start to get a few games` rest.

I personally got on well with Sam Allardyce. He came here with his methods and all of his staff. They tried to change everything and to do that takes time. Unfortunately for Sam he didn`t get that. That happened because there was massive change in the set-up at the club. New owners came in and they have the right to choose any manager they want because they have spent so much money. They obviously didn`t feel Sam was their man, which was unfortunate for him.

I think he can repair his reputation at Blackburn. Anyone can fail. He can easily go and do what he did at Bolton at Blackburn. He has a good club there, with good players and I`m sure he will do very well. Hopefully not until after Saturday`s game

Everyone in the dressing room respected him. The methods he brought in were different to what we were used to but we all gave it a go. It wasn`t down to any of the players that he left. He just wasn`t the right man for the job at the time. He just changed a few things tactically. Sam thought it was the right way forward and it would help players but it didn`t work out.

As players you have to take on board new ideas. If a manager starts to makes changes and doing things he wants to do, you have to abide by them or you will not be in his plans much longer. It`s like it or lump it really."

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.