Defender vows to not let sentiment get in the way of three points.
Andy Butler says he is relishing coming up against his former employers Walsall and some of his friends on Saturday.The Doncaster born defender was in the Saddlers ranks during their 3-0 win over Rovers at the Banks’s Stadium in September, but his impressive form in a Doncaster shirt has seen him nominated for the Sky Bet League One player of the month award for January.
“It’s pleasing to be recognised for doing your job and shows we’re going the right way,” he said.
“I think we’ve kept quite a few clean sheets. I didn’t think anyone in the back five in particular should get it, but I’ve managed to get a few goals too.
“I’m not too sure if I’ve won it before though, I’ve got a shocking memory!”
What Butler can recall however, is the close friendships he forged while in the Black Country, something he says will have to be put on ice for ninety minutes at Keepmoat Stadium.
“I speak to the ‘keeper Richard O’Donnell almost every day on the phone, and that comes about from travelling nearly two hours to training and back every day and it’s a good friendship which has developed,” he said.
“I had three and a half years there, what marked me out was a goal against Wolves, but we’ll have to put friendships aside for ninety minutes.
“I’m fully concentrated on Doncaster Rovers now though, there’s no mixed emotions.”
Butler, who admitted to regularly reading the ‘facts and stats’ in League One, will know that he and his teammates sit within touching distance of a play-off spot.
“You win a couple of games and you’re sitting fifth, lose a few and you’re down there. The bottom four have picked up a few results, it’s going to be tight come the end of the season but we’ve got a good enough squad to be up around the top six,” asserted Butler.
“It’s a big month and there’s a lot of teams below us and then the month after are there or thereabouts in the top half of the division.
“Get the results right in this month and we could possibly kick on next month; I can’t wait personally.”
Watch Butler in action against his old club Walsall this Saturday. To buy your tickets, CLICK HERE or call 01302 762576.