FORMER Newport County AFC manager Terry Butcher says the club’s current struggles prove that sacking him did not solve the Exiles’ problems.

Butcher was dismissed 12 months ago with County rock bottom of the Football League with just five points from 10 games.

He was replaced by John Sheridan who left for Oldham Athletic in January, when current manager Warren Feeney was promoted from assistant to the top job.

Feeney earned six wins in his first 11 games to save County from relegation.

But a run of 11 games without a win at the end of last season has been followed by just one victory in 10 in all competitions in this campaign.

Feeney’s men have six points from eight matches in League Two following Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to bottom club Cambridge United.

Rhys Healey had given the hosts a 10th-minute lead but that was cancelled out by substitute Uche Ikpeazu just after the hour mark before Luke Berry struck the winner seven minutes from time.

After the visitors’ winning goal there were cries of ‘Feeney out’ from the stands at Rodney Parade and boos after the final whistle.

Many fans are calling for Feeney to be sacked ahead tomorrow’s trip to Grimsby Town but Butcher argues that sacking the manager is not always the right move.

“I was there for about five minutes,” said the former England captain of his brief stint in charge in Newport.

“It was disappointing because a lot of things needed to be sorted out – we knew that – and two managers later they’re still down there towards the bottom of the table.

“It’s very difficult with a new board coming in and a new chief executive as well you know your time is limited there.

“I was disappointed because we put a lot into it,” he told BBC Radio Wales.

“It’s a great club, I found, and good players.

“There’s only Joe Day that’s still there possibly, Tom Owen-Evans as well – not many players.

“But that’s what happens in the lower leagues – there’s a big turnover of players.”

Goalkeeper Joe Day is the only senior player still at the club who played under Butcher.

Teenage midfielder Owen-Evans sealed a loan move to Gloucester City on Friday and played 90 minutes as Tim Harris’ men were beaten 3-1 at Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Butcher was back in Wales to commentate on Swansea City v Manchester City for BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I wish them well, I enjoyed it,” he added on his time at County. “I loved coming over to Wales.

“I lived in Bristol but the crowds [in Wales] are great. “They loved the football we played but unfortunately for me it wasn’t enough.”