Don't know where the Echo got the facts from, but wouldn't be surprised if it's true. Nicola must have exploded. Alex has been naive and misled and showed great disrespect to the club and his team mates, although I'm sure that wasn't his intention.
This is not good news for us Saints fans as I think that will put any doubt about him wanting to leave to an end, not the approach of a chairman trying to convince him that his future lies with us. I know Saints chairman has tight policies etc but I do question the punishment of a kid and maybe a few stern words may have been adequate. He also has Puncheon training and playing pre season games with the U21, this I think is making an over statement... I mean fair enough we all know Punch is a trouble maker but just sell him rather than embarress him, that way you have him off the wages and free up a squad place. I think it time to cash in on chambo but I think Cortese should make attempts at securing a decent some in the region of 10 million but just as importantly trying to secure some season long loans for some decent fringe players at whoever buys him (Arsenal/Man u or City or even Liverpool) Personally I dont think Arsenal is the right place for him and think Kenny at Pool may see him well, I saw his reaction to a youth team player scoring Liverpools 3rd again Guan in the other day and he was so pleased and proud! if we can get out of this league then the hardest part is done and finances wont be the issue as it is for Swansea, Wigan, Bolton, Norwich and all the other clubs who have done amazingly well to get there but who will have to work even harder than we would to stay there!!
Nicola was hardly likely to give him a mild slap for sounding off and getting himself splashed all over the tabloids. Warranted a fine. Not the way to butter up the Chairman if you want a move. Puncheon crossed him and looked what happened to him. Wonder if Alex was summoned to the presence..if so he'd have been quaking. Remember even though he's a professional footballer..he's only 17.
A chairman who's not afraid of the big four, player power, the media, & yet some still complain. (Although, sounds like Echo stirring as well, surprise surprise.)
This is not a usual Echo BS article though. This is them stating facts. There's no way the Echo would publish something they may later have to apologise to NC/SFC for. Anyway, I heard the fine was 2 double dip lolly pops and a wham bar....................
Hi all, first post, been away since 606 ended. Just on the Puncheon side of things, he must be pretty sure that is future elsewhere and maybe he wanted to play some football to give himself a chance of being fit if and when another club stumps up some cash for him. I don't see Nigel saying you have to play for the U21's because you're not in my first team plans. As for Alex, coming out in the press was naive but so is speaking to a journalist who will twist and turn whatever words you say to make a better story. If he does truly want to go then let him for the right price and Mr Cortese, i'm sure, will get the best deal for us!
surely his dad should have told him to keep his mouth shut? are they both stupid? they know very well what nicola is like, so why give interviews like that when they know it will make him angry? its not very professional either, if he didnt want to play at saints for a prolonged period he shouldnt have signed a 3 year (?) contract. silly little boy.
He's made a mistake by spouting off to the press, but let's not put him in the same bracket as Puncheon!
Has clearly come from AOC's agent. Who is now clearly set on stirring up as much ****e as possible to engineer a move and a big pay day for himself. So sadly, the stories will persist. It's so sad these things have to end so bitterly. If he does go at some point, I'd wish him well, but just know now that both sides of the story will use the press to spin a tale to try to get fans on their side.
Naivity not malice. Be interesting to see if he plays on Saturday, because he may get a mixed reception.
It's funny that the stories only appeared in The Sun and Mirror and nowhere else though isn't it? Or is that just me?
The 'quality papers' would do things properly and certainly wouldn't give pages for a youngster to spout off. The Guardian did a small piece suggesting that a move could derail his career. The Times has done two long interviews with Nicola in the past so he must have contacts there.
Good! Serves him right! He needs at least a season in the Championship which will benefit him and the club.
