PJ Butler: so far so good

Thuso Palai | Thursday July 3, 2014 13:33

When he was appointed a few months ago, there were a lot of mixed feelings.  Obviously some were FOR and some were AGAINST. This was normal   and at the time, the views on him and his appointment we rather interesting. I came out clearly stated that even though I did not know him at that time, and he wasn’t my favourite for the position, as a Motswana I supported his appointment.

As a Motswana, I chose to support him and his appointment. While others chose to be negative and disparage his appointment and his character, I chose to be positive and look beyond the surface.  Even though I didn’t know him, I defended him and his appointment to a point where I was called names and even accused of  being a 'BFA' and 'Butler' Agent. I couldn’t care less at the time because I have realised that when people don’t have reasons they get nasty and start throwing their toys out of their pram.  At the time I took the attacks as they came.

If I may go back to that; I defended his appointment as I anticipated a breathe of fresh air. I had hope that he would be a clean broom that would sweep clean. I hoped that he would bring something new and take us forward. A few months later, I can say so far; so good. Nothing much has been achieved as yet, but I see light at the end of the tunnel. 

One might say, why am I so quick to judge. Well; some were quick to dismiss, even before the guy arrived. Up to now I have never met the guy but I like his way of doing things. He is a real go-getter who does things his way. Fact of the matter is that he hasn’t achieved anything as yet but he has to some extent convinced me that we are on to something here.

When he arrived, Butler said he is not here on holiday. He said he is here on a mission and will work hard to achieve. He pointed out a few issues: results and talent identification and nurturing. To a large extent I had my doubts but now, from where I am, he has started well. It has not been without challenges. If I’m not mistaken: it’s about five months in the job, and he has played five games, lost one, drew one and won three. Not a good yardstick to judge someone but it’s his overall demeanour that has really impressed me. During his short reign sanity as opposed to haphazardness has been the order of the day.

On the field, Butler has had a mixed bag of results and it would be unfair to praise or condemn based on a few games. For me the greatest positive has been that now the National team is not for player so and so. There was a time when some players were constants in the national team, whether they were off or on -form. That is not the case anymore. Now we see the most unfamiliar names donning the national team colours, which is a plus for Botswana football. This creates a larger pool to pick from. Since taking over, we have seen the emergence of new names donning the national team colours. Most of them are relatively young. For that I commend Butler for taking the initiative and risk to call up these youngsters.

As an outsider looking from the outside, I have been impressed. But having had a chat with a few players in the national team, they also seem impressed. Who can be better judges than the players themselves? Of the 5 or so players I talked to, they all waxed lyrically about him. None of them said one bad thing about him, and in all the chats, ‘Professionalism’ is the word that kept coming up the most. It seems he is a real professional who does all by the letter to ensure maximum output. I also had a chat with his assistant Pio Paul and the often hard to please Pio Paul has also been impressed. Although, having not achieved much as yet, it seems his first impressions have been good.

On the flip side I have been disturbed by one or two incidents where he went on a tangent and went on a rant. I have seen a few of his tweets and some were out of tune. I feel he should desist from these unnecessary outbursts, especially when something is troubling him. The job will come with its frustrations and challenges, but no need to get all worked up and go on tweeter rants.

Other than that, so far so good.  It’s too early to judge on the bigger picture and the jury is still out, he now needs to deliver results as first  impressions will not mean anything if results are not forthcoming.