Ipswich end Nugent interest

Ipswich have pulled the plug on the proposed Dave Nugent loan switch to Portman Road.

The official line that Jim Magilton has given on the Ipswich Site last night was one of 'fitness concerns', so rather than wait around he has decided to look elsewhere: 'the Portsmouth medical people have told us today that David is still not fit and won't be until next week at the earliest.

'Games are running out for us now and we have decided we need to move on and look at other targets.

'We have other irons in the fire and will step up our interest elsewhere now'.

Again this is yet another in a long list of strange, strange transfer go, no go dealing involving Pompey…

I thought that the fella was fit or as near as fit - even if he was not quite up to speed surely he could not have been that far away from fitness? My thinking is he did not want to go, maybe he was being 'pushed' but he did not accept the move…

Today Magilton has told BBC Radio Suffolk of his anger at Nugent's silence on the move: 'Portsmouth have been very good about this but we've spoken to the player and we haven't had a response.

'So David Nugent can go and play for whoever he wants now. The very least we deserve is a phone call or something to suggest he's not available'.

These thoughts do seem to give more backing to the thoughts that Nugent did not want to go…

The thought that he would rather sit on the bench, or in the stands - as is probably more likely now - and pick up his wages could be thought for some - Magilton included - but my thinking is he did not want to go as he does want to be here, and does want to play.

For whatever reason things have not worked out for him here, Harry Redknapp does not seem convinced by him - is this because his off the field antics are too much for him, or are his off the field antics in someway linked to the fact that he is not playing despite the fact he wants to, so that could be his 'release', or is it a combination of both, but straight off the bat not all seemed well…

Adjusting to the top flight, fitness issues, attitude issues, form of others and so on have all been cited as reasons for him not playing - maybe it does just boil down to the fact 'he is not good enough', that could be the honest truth? If that is the case so be it, but I maintain the belief that we have not seen enough - as fans, maybe the boss has in training and so on, the things we do not see - of him to say 100% that is the case.

You never know, but it is highly unlikely that he will play much of a role, if any role for the remainder of the season as by accepting that we would let him go out on loan after paying so much for him showed he is basically deemed 'surplus to requirements' for whatever reason, so if he is here next season it would be a surprise.

Stoke could still make a move, but if he was not 'fit enough' for Ipswich - or as is more likely did not want to go to Ipswich - would he be 'fit enough' for them…

PLAY UP POMPEY!