Jump to content

Puncheon back in 1st team


trousers

Recommended Posts

It will take him a **** load of work to win the fans over, but it is doable. If he plays like Lionel Messi. Or Adam Lallana.

 

But this is as good as a new signing, and at no cost, so initially I'm very pleased if it's true.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Jason Puncheon has returned to first team training with Saints following a disciplinary meeting with Nicola Cortese.

Jason's name has been in the spotlight over the last few days after he publically requested clarification on his situation at the club.

Loan moves to Millwall, Blackpool and QPR in the last 18 months have meant that Puncheon has been a peripheral figure at St Mary's, but both the club and the player were keen to resolve the on-going uncertainty over his future.

The 25 year old has been disciplined appropriately for his recent actions, and the winger has subsequently apologised to Cortese for his behaviour. That apology has led to a change in fortune, as Jason will now be given a squad number as he rejoins the push for promotion.

 

Puncheon confirmed that he is keen to put the past behind him and will focus on showing what he can bring to the team.

"Thankfully Nicola is a forgiving person who has the Club's interests at heart, he has told me that the slate has been wiped clean and I can have a fresh start. He wants me to do the things that I am good at, and it is down to me now to go and do that on the pitch.

"I admit my mistakes as a grown man, both my actions over the weekend and for the things that have occurred in the past, so I am pleased that Nicola has accepted my apology and granted me a clean slate.

"I know that I have a point to prove, and I know that some supporters have been on my back for the way that I have behaved in the past. I can only put that right through my performances on the pitch and showing that I am committed to Southampton Football Club.

"I have always wanted to be here, but things weren't working out how anyone would have liked back in the summer and that is why I took the chance to move to QPR. That didn't work out for whatever reason, so I am delighted that I now have the chance to prove myself again.

"When I signed here I said that within the three and a half years on my contract I wanted to get this club promoted to the Premier League. That has always been the case, and is still the case, and I will do everything I can to make that happen this season."

 

[TABLE=class: caption]

[TR]

[TD=class: captionText]

0,,10280~10420165,00.jpg Puncheon - "I can only put that right through my performances on the pitch and showing that I am committed to Southampton Football Club."

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

First Team Manager Nigel Adkins added:

"Jason has stood up and accepted that he has made mistakes in the past and again recently with his unjustified comments, but wants to put that right, and that can only be a good thing for this football club.

"We have always said that we will only achieve anything at Southampton if we all stick together as one. Jason has grabbed an oar and is back on board, rowing in the same direction with us, and we are delighted with that.

"If the Club can forgive Jason for his actions, then the fans should also welcome him back and get behind him as they do with the rest of the team."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First Team Manager Nigel Adkins added:

 

"Jason has stood up and accepted that he has made mistakes in the past and again recently with his unjustified comments, but wants to put that right, and that can only be a good thing for this football club.

 

"We have always said that we will only achieve anything at Southampton if we all stick together as one. Jason has grabbed an oar and is back on board, rowing in the same direction with us, and we are delighted with that.

 

"If the Club can forgive Jason for his actions, then the fans should also welcome him back and get behind him as they do with the rest of the team."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

This smacks of desperation from the club. Are waving the white flag on transfer activity

 

Nevertheless, it might turn out well if he is hungry and keeps his mouth shut. Could be like a new signing.

 

Wonder if NA was consulted by NC?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well that's about as stage managed as you can get, FFS.

 

So what about the thing that was keeping him out of the side for the previous 18 months, prior to the (clearly suggested by the club as a means to mutually move on) stupid tweet ? We're all supposed to forget that tweeting about Cortese WASN'T the reason he was out in the cold in the first place ?

 

If this was WWE, we'd be being "worked", and I checked the date twice to make sure it wasn't April 1.

 

Having said that, if it gets our best players on the pitch during an injury crisis, great. But Puncheon has barely kicked a ball in competition since leaving Blackpool.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I can only put that right through my performances on the pitch and showing that I am committed to Southampton Football Club."

 

I look forward to seeing that his actions are as clear as his carefully vetted words. He has always been able, now if his head is in the right place we will have something good to look forward to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Could have done with him on Monday really.

No point in cutting off your nose to spite your face, however might tend to indicate that Lallana's absence might be a bit longer

than foreseen.On the other hand it might just well be move to make him more marketable,in which case he'll not play on saturday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That takes care of the behaviour side of things, which is a good thing. That's half the story. I still remember a player who seldom passed the ball and who endlessly ran into trouble. If that can change as well I will be enthusiastic to see him back. I suppose he will turn out at Millwall. That, in turn, suggests that SDR is nowhere near to a regular game. Has he upset anybody?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Massive surprise. Just hope he can do the business on the pitch. Potentially can be a very good player at this level, and is a far better option than Holmes, De Ridder, Forte and for the moment Reeves & Falque. Would love him to do well, for the team and to prove without doubt, the fickle nature of the footy fan - after I hear his name ringing out for scoring the winning goal to secure promotion....lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This smacks of desperation from the club. Are waving the white flag on transfer activity

 

Nevertheless, it might turn out well if he is hungry and keeps his mouth shut. Could be like a new signing.

 

Wonder if NA was consulted by NC?

 

I would consider this as desperation from Puncheon to be honest. His career was being destroyed by his own unprofessionalism, there was to be no winners from that and now he may have finally realised.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That takes care of the behaviour side of things, which is a good thing. That's half the story. I still remember a player who seldom passed the ball and who endlessly ran into trouble. If that can change as well I will be enthusiastic to see him back. I suppose he will turn out at Millwall. That, in turn, suggests that SDR is nowhere near to a regular game. Has he upset anybody?

 

No, he just clearly is not up to the job. I wanted him to do well as anyone, but he just doesn't look good enough at this level.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That takes care of the behaviour side of things, which is a good thing. That's half the story. I still remember a player who seldom passed the ball and who endlessly ran into trouble. If that can change as well I will be enthusiastic to see him back. I suppose he will turn out at Millwall. That, in turn, suggests that SDR is nowhere near to a regular game. Has he upset anybody?

 

No reason to think Puncheon will have to play wide right, he was most successful at the side of a diamond (like for Millwall oddly enough) and on the left. He could easily get a run ahead of Falque, who played both on the left and in the middle at times on Monday.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well that's about as stage managed as you can get, FFS.

 

So what about the thing that was keeping him out of the side for the previous 18 months, prior to the (clearly suggested by the club as a means to mutually move on) stupid tweet ? We're all supposed to forget that tweeting about Cortese WASN'T the reason he was out in the cold in the first place ?

 

If this was WWE, we'd be being "worked", and I checked the date twice to make sure it wasn't April 1.

 

Having said that, if it gets our best players on the pitch during an injury crisis, great. But Puncheon has barely kicked a ball in competition since leaving Blackpool.

 

I suspect, that his behaviour had mightily f*cked off Cortese and he has been waiting for an apology. Being a man of principle (or, is that petty?!), Cortese has still been waiting for that apology. It's taken 18 months and Puncheon has realised he has to swallow his pride for the sake of his career.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He's a very good player and I'm definitely glad to have him back in the squad, it's like a new signing.

 

What he did over the weekend was ridiculous but it seems the chat yesterday was huge.

 

Best of luck to him, he seems to have the attitude right moving forward from today.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm also now assuming this takes care of our "new signing" on the right of midfield.

 

So so far against my estimate of 4 players including Hooiveld, we've signed...

 

Hooiveld (CB)

Lee (ST)

Falque (AM)

plus

Puncheon (AM)

 

and there are bids for strikers rumoured. Maybe we can liberate some of the Puncheon replacement fund for another CB as well, we're certainly showing a shortage of match fit experienced players at the moment...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...