Anyone thinking managers will play experimental tactics in the 2nd tier of non-league is living with their heads in the clouds. You’re not likely to get the next Ralf Rangnick, Johann Cruyff or Pep Guardiola at this level. The football will be based on tried and trusted tactics that suit the abilities of the players at this level.
Jimmy Dean was hardly revolutionary with his tactics and most of that was found wanting in the end, with a much higher budget and bigger squad and losing out in the end. Butler has made some frustrating errors and he might fail, but this overly dramatic rage from some quarters is pathetic. Yes, we can be critical of some recent poor perfomances, and the league position should not have hidden that. However, to then make such snide insults at Butler and for a “Butler out” thread to be created is just kneejerk, unrealistic and irrational. The club are not going to bin Butler off because of a bad run of form when we’re top; there will have to be questions asked when the season ends, depending on where we finish. Some have bemoaned (rightfully, I think) the sack-happy nature of the Swann years, and it must be said that there were many calling for the sack of those Swann did dispose of at the time. We have been through a lot since, but there are some who are still seemingly turning on coaches far too quickly. Butler might not improve, but it’s pointless turning against him when it has been a few months and we are top of the league. To emphasise, I am not saying that to distract from deserved criticism of performances, but to point out that turning against Butler now is an extreme response.
Dean had 18 months and failed his remit. We should give Butler at least until May before reevaluation, unless there’s a catastrophic drop down the table. Thankfully, I think the kneejerk reactions have been constrained to a few, but there are some like the tweeter in question where it does apply.
