Swansea City (H) | Butcher's Reaction
Matt Butcher made his first start of the Sky Bet Championship season when Argyle met Swansea City on Saturday at Home Park.
Unfortunately for Butcher, and for Argyle, the Pilgrims lost 3-1 to the Swans. It was Argyle who took the lead through Luke Cundle, in a first half they largely controlled, but Swansea reacted after the break with an equaliser from Jerry Yates, a goal from substitute Ollie Cooper to put them in front, and then a late clincher from Josh Key to round things off.
“We had good moments in the game,” said Butcher. “We probably didn't quite capitalise on the period of play where we had joy. Like we've seen this season, if you're not quite at it for 90 minutes, teams are ruthless. [Swansea] proved that today and the game turned on its head quite quickly.
“It’s frustration from not the worst performance, but coming out with nothing.
“[The first half] was pretty perfect, really. I thought we set out what we wanted to do quite well, we managed to get some good pressure on the ball and then took the chance when it came. We arguably could have had a couple more. We got into some great positions, then starting the second half, we wanted to replicate that. They had a bounce and took advantage of theirs.
“In every game, we've been dangerous and we've got into some great positions, but it just makes it even more frustrating when you come out of a game doing okay and not being close enough in it to really push in the last 10 or 15 minutes for a winner, rather than chasing it the other way.”
Butcher lined up in a two-man midfield unit with Jordan Houghton, with Argyle reverting to a system with which they found plenty of success last season. They have, at times, played in a 4-3-3 shape, and have played attractive, flowing football however they have lined up.
“It was the first start for me, so it was positive from that point of view,” said Butcher. “I think you've seen this year that the different systems have suited different games and I think – bar the Bristol game – that we've always been competitive and always probably had the better of the chances, overall.
“Whichever way we go with it, we've got it in us to be dangerous, and we just need to get that little bit extra and be that little bit more clinical, not just in their box, but defending. We can't give up the goals we've given up today and expect to really come out of stuff.”
The Greens now have a two-week gap without a fixture, as football in the top levels of English football pauses while international fixtures are played.
It comes after a week in which Argyle have lost two consecutive home fixtures, so is it good to go away and regroup a little, or would one rather get back into action as quick as possible?
“I suppose you could look at it both ways,” said Butcher. “It gives us an opportunity to reflect on the start of the season as a whole and, if you look back, I think if you if you look at the start of the season, the position we're in, you might see it as a positive.
“Hopefully we can come back refreshed and keep improving.”
