10 Newcastle Players Who Turned Around A Bad Start

6. Nicky Butt

There is an unfair myth and stigma attached to Nicky Butt's Newcastle United career. Most assume that it was laden with injuries, poor form and lethargy, as he spent six years failing to recapture the form that saw Pele gush about him during the 2002 World Cup. However, this is simply a half-truth, as the current co-owner of Salford City actually began to grow in popularity during his time on Tyneside, as he strived to turn around a poor start. An uninspiring £2.5 million from Manchester United in the summer of 2004, he had been seen as a replacement for the now-late Gary Speed. Failing to fill the Welshman's sizeable gap in the middle of the park, Butt endured a stop-start debut season, as injuries interfered with his progress. Indeed, Graeme Souness subsequently signed Senegalese Amdy Faye as a potential replacement in January, with patience wearing thin with the injury-plagued Mancunian. The Geordies would use Butt as a scapegoat, rounding on him during a tepid 4-1 defeat to old club Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final. Suffice to say, he was not a popular lad on Tyneside. However, the 06/07 season was the turning point for the former Manchester United squad player. Forcing his way into the side, he began to captain the side during Scott Parker's absence, as he slowly won over the supporters with improved performances. Following Michael Owen's acrimonious departure for Manchester United following the club's slide into the Championship in 2009, Butt was assigned the captain's armband for the club's foray into the Championship.