Planet Swans ArchivesButler was part of the Swans squad currently enjoying a break in Spain where they will train in the same facilities afforded to the world stars of Barcelona as well as taking in their Champions League tie with Celtic.
And Butler was quick as well to sing the benefits of trips like this as the Swans enjoy a rare midweek break from the League One action. It will be the last midweek with no action until the clock ticks into April for the Swans but with a huge cushion behind them, there is every possibility that promotion could have been assured before that time with April being one long party as they look forward to a return to second flight football for the first time since 1984.
“I think we need this break,” Butler told the Western Mail, “especially the lads that have played so many consecutive games.
“It’s a good time to have a break and it will be great for the lads to get their feet up for a bit.
“It’s just a change of scenery which will give us a bit of energy and brighten us up a bit for the rest of the season.
“The gaffer is good at breaking the season up. When we come back we have a mini-league of 13 games and that is the league we need to win."
“I don’t think any of us have been there before so it will be a great experience for us all,” said Butler, referring to Barcelona's massive stadium – 99,000 seats make it the biggest of it's kind in Europe.
“It just shows that if you put in the performances and do well then the gaffer will look after us. “It’s been massive Roberto coming in because fresh ideas are always good. It’s not so long ago that the gaffer was playing, so he knows what we need and want as players.
“Players like Ronaldinho and Messi are the elite of world football,” he explained.
“It’s great for us to be able to watch people at that level.
“They always do the right thing. That’s why they are where they are and get paid what they get paid.
“For us to go and watch them, we will naturally learn things. Even watching games on the TV you can pick things up off players at a higher level.
“As a footballer you always have to aim as high as you can possibly go.
“Barcelona represent the elite level and it’s very few footballers that get that far.
“For us it’s just about taking it step by step and progression into the Championship is obviously the next step.
“But there are a lot of players in this squad that can play at a higher level.
“It shows where the club is right now that we can talk about going away to Spain for a few days to let the boys recharge,” he said.
“It shows how far the club has come in the last few years.
“Roberto is a modern gaffer and his results speak for themselves.
“The position we are in shows that he must be doing something right so I expect this trip to Spain will end up being the right thing as well.”
