Time to start Oxo

[Huffton]

Sod leaving him to be an 'impact player' let him make an impact from the off.

He's everything that Puncheon should be, and more. He isn't too young, he doesn't need protecting, hes a kid and all he wants to do is play football. Give him his chance Nigel, if you're good enough you're old enough.

[paulwantsapint]

Wonder if Oxo will start playing more when Richardson is fully match fit

Starting Oxo & benching Punch maybe a well placed kick up the arse & make Punch have to make an impact

[Made in Southampton]

Agreed he's a fantastic prospect but its far to early to be playing him week in week out. He has still got alot of growing up to do (Physically) and its a fact that working him too hard now will **** him up later in his career.

[Mowgli]

No one is doubting he is good enough but Puncheon is perhaps more of a ball winner. I think to directly compare the two is wrong - they each do the job they are asked to do very well (and they are different jobs). These cameo roles are doing Oxo's confidence no harm at all because he has an opportunity to make an impact against tired defences that simply do not exist in the first 60 minutes.

[krissyboy31]

At 17, a player of his size and physique needs to start a few, be on the bench for a few and sit out a few. Overplay him while he is still growing and developing and he will have all sorts of problems with injuries in the future a la Michael Owen.

[benjii]

FFS, we just beat a fired up team away 3-1 and yet you still get people on here demanding change and singling out people for criticism unfairly. Have we won 5 out of the last 6 or something? Unbelievable. For the record, Puncheon played well yesterday. Our worst performers were Lambert and Schneiderlin, who was awful.

[benjii]

No one is doubting he is good enough but Puncheon is perhaps more of a ball winner. I think to directly compare the two is wrong - they each do the job they are asked to do very well (and they are different jobs). These cameo roles are doing Oxo's confidence no harm at all because he has an opportunity to make an impact against tired defences that simply do not exist in the first 60 minutes.

 

Exactly right, spot on.

[niceandfriendly]

To drop Puncheon for Oxo now would be completely rash. Thankfully, Adkins in his interview after the Oldham game comfirmed he has no plans to do anything of the sort. He knows how to deal with a young player and that's by giving him these little cameo roles.

 

Oh, and Puncheon is a pretty good player. When he plays well it has a big effect on the whole team, and he hasn't been bad this season, just a little inconsistent.

[mcjwills]

Sod leaving him to be an 'impact player' let him make an impact from the off.

He's everything that Puncheon should be, and more. He isn't too young, he doesn't need protecting, hes a kid and all he wants to do is play football. Give him his chance Nigel, if you're good enough you're old enough.

 

No No and No He needs nurturing and bring on slowly, too much too early could ruin him, this is a tough league and we do not want a hob nailed thug ruining his career before it has started.

[S-Clarke]

To drop Puncheon for Oxo now would be completely rash. Thankfully, Adkins in his interview after the Oldham game comfirmed he has no plans to do anything of the sort. He knows how to deal with a young player and that's by giving him these little cameo roles.

 

Oh, and Puncheon is a pretty good player. When he plays well it has a big effect on the whole team, and he hasn't been bad this season, just a little inconsistent.

 

Agreed, but some people are searching for a scapegoat with James gone and Wotton no longer really involved.

[captainchris]

To drop Puncheon for Oxo now would be completely rash. Thankfully, Adkins in his interview after the Oldham game comfirmed he has no plans to do anything of the sort. He knows how to deal with a young player and that's by giving him these little cameo roles.

 

Oh, and Puncheon is a pretty good player. When he plays well it has a big effect on the whole team, and he hasn't been bad this season, just a little inconsistent.

 

Haven't seen Puncheon play well well yet at home - watch him closely - he day dreams and doesn't hurt the opposition...

[Smirking_Saint]

Haven't seen Puncheon play well well yet at home - watch him closely - he day dreams and doesn't hurt the opposition...

 

I have seen him at home, and he is never ever as bad as he gets made out to be on here, he battles, tracks back A LOT and gets into dangerous positions. I wonder some times if it is the players around him not getting into dangerous positions that makes him look like he dilly dallys on the ball. Strange though when players don't move for AL it is the players and not Adams fault.

 

His shooting is a bit crappy this season though.

[Legod Third Coming]

FFS, we just beat a fired up team away 3-1 and yet you still get people on here demanding change and singling out people for criticism unfairly. Have we won 5 out of the last 6 or something? Unbelievable. For the record, Puncheon played well yesterday. Our worst performers were Lambert and Schneiderlin, who was awful.

 

When a manager is doing his job well, leave him alone. Simples.

[Huffton]

Well done Nigel!

[Matthew Le God]

He was awesome tonight, but he still shouldn't start every game. I think Adkins is managing his young career well.

[Matthew Le God]

This is why we won't see him start every match...

 

"We want him to do well, but we've got to look after him. We started him and he hasn't been able to last it again because he's cramping up, so we have to keep developing this young, skeletal body he's got and nurture him in the right way.

 

"He's got a great attitude, a fantastic attitude, he's got a bright future and we've got to nurture him properly.

 

"We have got massively high hopes for him, but we've got look after him and control the high hopes and expectation levels that come with him because like any youngster you will get highs and lows.

 

"At the moment he's having a good run of form which is important and we have to keep steadily improving that.

 

"He's had to come off towards the end because it's physically demanding for him and he's got cramp again and it's trying to get him in a position where he can last 90 minutes.

 

"He's made a massive impact for the time he was on the pitch like he has done for the times he has come off the substitutes' bench."

[Bailey]

In terms of ability, Chamberlain is more than ready to start.

 

Physically, he's still got quite some way to go.

 

You only have to read Adkins' post-match comments tonight to appreciate that we have to protect AOC during the early stages of his career.

 

He's a fine talent, and one for the future, but lets not over-do it.

[patred44]

ironically if we were a PL side and had someone as talented, we would be looking to loan him out... maybe to a Div One side:rolleyes:

[Matthew Le God]

ironically if we were a PL side and had someone as talented, we would be looking to loan him out... maybe to a Div One side:rolleyes:

 

I doubt they would actually. If Saints were still a Premiership side, at his age of only recently turning 17, he'd be kept at the club playing youth and reserve games and loaned out when 18 or 19.

Edited 3 November, 2010 by Matthew Le God

[Shroppie]

For all his ability, I still expect to see him on the bench for most away games or when we have stiffer, or more physical opposition. I'm impressed with NA's selections recently. He doesn't seem afraid to change a winning team and it seems to me he is much more adept than previous managers at getting the right team out for the opposition we're facing. At home, and against weaker teams, he's started Oxo (and Guly against Tranmere) - attacking intent from the start. Also put Chaplow in for Schneiderlin last night, I assume as a positive move. Away from home, or when we will need to defend more I still expect to see Punch start (for all his failings in front of goal I maintain he works hard for the team), along with Schneiderlin as a more solid defensive setup. I think Guly's going to become an "impact" player - can't see him getting many starts now.

[alpine_saint]

Probably too early to be a regular starter, but the clamour is only going to grow for as long as Puncheon doesnt get the message and continues to under-achieve.

[Saint_clark]

He might not be able to last a whole game, but he has great strength for such a small guy. He's held defenders off time after time so far this season.

[The9]

No No and No He needs nurturing and bring on slowly, too much too early could ruin him, this is a tough league and we do not want a hob nailed thug ruining his career before it has started.

 

Fair point on the injury front, but playing non-stop for 2 seasons didn't exactly damage Bale's career prospects, did it ?

 

Having said that, I think we should use Ox-Cham sparingly for the moment, he is an "impact" player and he can't be expected to maintain last night's levels of achievement all of the time - his starts earlier this season were much less effective than his sub appearances.

[The9]

Probably too early to be a regular starter, but the clamour is only going to grow for as long as Puncheon doesnt get the message and continues to under-achieve.

 

Puncheon has significantly improved under Adkins already just from knowing when to play the ball quickly - though presumably since the last home game I saw him in he's had a couple of dodgy away games, hence getting dropped. He's still got a role in the middle if the current incumbents keep getting booked anyway.

[Saint_John]

It's good that the club signed him on a 3 year pro contract back in August.

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2128220,00.html

 

Perhaps the people running this club do know what they are doing.

Previously we would get a "superstar kid" and then find he can walk away soon afterward because the contract was not in place.

[Barry the Badger]

Just back from holiday. Left the day after the Oldham game. Anybody know where I can get highlights of the Oldham game? would love to see that goal again.

[The9]

Just back from holiday. Left the day after the Oldham game. Anybody know where I can get highlights of the Oldham game? would love to see that goal again.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9092349.stm

 

Assuming you're in the UK.

[Barry the Badger]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9092349.stm

 

Assuming you're in the UK.

 

Did you manage to play the video? I just get "This content doesn't seem to be working. Try again later." Was the same yesterday.

[benjii]

Puncheon has significantly improved under Adkins already just from knowing when to play the ball quickly - though presumably since the last home game I saw him in he's had a couple of dodgy away games, hence getting dropped. He's still got a role in the middle if the current incumbents keep getting booked anyway.

 

No, not dodgy games at all.

 

I think Adkins just felt that D&R at home was a good opportunity to give Chamberlain a run out from the off. If I was Adkins I would let Chambo play against Shrewsbury too but bring Puncheon back in for Carlisle away.

[wild-saint]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETXrtqWY_A0

 

Lets hope his Dad has quit his TV presenting job and sticks to givig his son tips. Alex stick to foot as based on your dads talents you aint got any hope of a tv career.

 

Made me laugh

[wild-saint]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETXrtqWY_A0

 

Lets hope his Dad has quit his TV presenting job and sticks to givig his son tips. Alex stick to foot as based on your dads talents you aint got any hope of a tv career.

 

Made me laugh

[dune]

Keep him on the bench where possible until the January transfer window has passed. If we go up we might just keep him for SFC in the Premiership two years down the line.