Nicola should have let him go some time ago instead of holding out for more money. Would have been better for everyone.
This is the key point isn't it? It's a bit like Pardew's sudden departure. There's been a mass of speculation, but no real news. I liked Punch when he arrived and thought he added a lot to the team, but keeping the spirit right at the club is vital and if he may disrupt that he'll have to go. If he ever does turn out again for us then we can be sure that Adkins and Cortese are sure he's up for the task of playing for Saints again. In this case I'd welcome back a "prodigal son".
The fact is, Adkins has a problem with his attitude. He's mentioned this in one or two interviews, for example, with Clem, for the BBC, he talked about getting in the right people, and quietly mentioned that it hasn't always been right. I can't be the only one who noticed that remark. Much as I might like to give the guy another chance, if Adkins and/or Cortese say NO, it's NO. End of story.
If he's willing to work hard and fit in with the rest of the squad I am more than happy to give him another chance. He's a quality player when on form but I don't know whether Adkins will give him that chance
If Nigel wants to give him a chance, who are we to argue? But would he get in the team? Time to end this sad story. Puncheon hasn't killed anyone..let him move on.
For him to get a second chance at Southampton he would need to eat serious humble pie. I think he is too arrogant to do that but he can surely see his career is going backwards at a serious rate. Also, Cortese does not seem to me to be the sort of person who lightly forgives. Upset him & you are doomed!
Sad really. He probably had the best oportunity to further his career at Southampton. If he had aspirations to play in the Premier League full time, he should've kept his mouth shut, knuckled down and worked hard - i'm sure given his ability and potential he could have achieved this at St Marys. However, so far his only experience of Premiership football was on loan for a relegation doomed Blackpool and on loan for an ambitious QPR, where he can't shift himself out of the reserves. After January, he'll be lucky to ever get the chance to play in the Premier League again.
Oh my goodness, quick..! Mr Cortese, our Fran is getting rather fractious about this. Can you get rid of that awful Mr Puncheon please..? It's very upsetting to our poster here. Thank you.
To be honest I'd make him available on a free transfer in January. I know we paid a decent sum for him when we bought him however he's clearly not in NA's plans and it's hardly surprising really. Last year I was sat in the press box at Stadium MK for Nigel's first game in charge and was overlooking the technical area. Puncheon was whining and kicking a fuss up about being told to switch flanks and being given a rollocking by NA for constantly holding on to the ball for too long and then losing it, or blasting the ball over the bar!! I remember thinking that NA looked as though he had no time for him and I stand by that. Puncheon is a poor mans Adel Taraabt, has the mercenary attitude but not the skill to back it up. Ask the MK Dons fans what they think, he was hot and cold there at the best of times, only turned up when he wanted to. The man is a trouble maker and is certainly going to disrupt the fantastic team spirit we've got at the moment. GET HIM OUT ASAP!
