Portsmouth News 24/7Writer: pompeyrug 
Date:Monday November 12 2007
Time: 11:54AM
UK time is: 21:46:44
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Taylor and Nugent up for the fight
I have had concerns - as have many of us - about the futures of both Matty Taylor and Dave Nugent, but in the time they had on the pitch yesterday against Man City I felt both looked good and very keen to make their mark and take their chance.
Taylor put in a good 2nd half shift and the look on his face late on when he was battling with a City player over a throw-in, when the fella would not give him the ball in my thinking was not the look of a fella that is wanting to move in.
Nugent got in due to Kanu's injury and talking to sky sports after the game Redknapp had some words of praise for him too: 'their goalkeeper made a fantastic save from Glen, and nine times out of 10 the shot that Nugent hit against the post will go in, but that's the way it goes.
'He looked livelier, if that shot had gone in it would have been nice for him and us.
'We are looking for anybody to score. But that's good for David, he's only not been getting in because Kanu and Benji have done so well'.
Although it might be a naive thought - I do not think either looked like players that want away from Pompey, if they did they would not have been as up for the fight as they were and you could see that both were, they had that look about them - and not a look of 'I am in the shop window' here...
I have been impressed with the attitude of both to be honest, particularly Taylor whose column on setanta sports is something that I often read, he never seems to be of the mentality that he is anything less than understanding of his current situation, he realises that he has to wait for a chance and when it comes he must take it.
His recent oversight with Noe Pamarot preferred at left back could have been a sign that it was the beginning of the end for him - I thought it was, but unless he decides he wants to go I now have this feeling he will stay, as he wants to be a part of this club.
As for Nugent he just needs that lucky break, the injury to Kanu gave him this and in all fairness he took it, as he came on and worked hard, he was looking for the ball and not waiting for it.
When your luck is out the sorts of shots that he hit do hit the post and come out but he should take something from this and I feel he will and now also believe - maybe more in hope? - that he too will now be here to stay...
PLAY UP POMPEY!
To join the Vital Pompey debate - in the forum or with comments on articles - simply take a few seconds to register an account.
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Spain
Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.
Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!
Your Comments
110% agree with you pompeyrug. I think Nugent ticked the right boxes with fans more than the manager, as he see's that attitude on the training pitch, and after only finding matty taylors column on Setanta last week, i was pleased with the writing he puts up, as you can see from that he is another that believes in NOT changing a winning team, and appreciates he has to wait his turn. I honestly believe Him, and Nugent will grow to become 2 of our main Squad, with enphasis being on Squad, not team. We need a squad to mix the mix etc, and players with vision are happy to be part of that, as opposed to wanting to have a guarenteed place. Long live Taylor and Nugent, and keep them both.
Midge
Yeah totally agree, great to see both the lads on the park and give it a go. With a bit of luck they will get enough games in between now and January to hopefully make them realise that they have a future at our great club. Thought Noe also gave a good account of himself again, especially as he is really a right or centre back.
blarmy
to continuing growing and moving forward we not only need a top class starting 11 - which we have - but also squad of players, so we have to keep this to keep going and these 2 fellas should most certainly be a part of it as they will get games, injuries, suspensions - african nations! - will crop up, when chances come if they come in and do well they will stay in... also agree with you blarmy on your thoughts on pamarot - he must have done enough to keep his place for the next game again? yep, not bad for a right sided player really - altho in the long run i would rather see a naturally left sided player in there, but he has impressed me he has his chance, he has taken it so he deserves to stay in.
pompeyrug
Midge, ive sent you a private message - also an email, but the email was not delivered, it appears that your email address on your profile is out of date? either way check your messages in the forum of this site when you get a chance, cheers rug :-)
pompeyrug
almost right on cue nuge has been speaking to the news hasnt he about not giving up and being up for the challenge - here...
pompeyrug
i like nuge, but although he deserves a chance, he hasnt had the cahnce because of benjis form and the formation, i think now that kanu and utaka are injured, we will see more of super dave!
PompeyGleamer
during the warm up yesterday Pedro, Matty, Nuggett and Herminator were playing keepy upy, the amount of smiling and laughing that was going on between them suggests that they are all reasonably happy with their lot.Of course it could just be that there was money on it but it was good to watch the spirit is obviously high even amongst the players waiting their chance. Come January Matty will definitely be in the team Harry must have been trying out his options yesterday playing matty on the right. I really feel for nugget what has he got to do to score, that was a superb shot hit with real venom and any other time surely would've gone in off the post.
Steve C
so, the trial run for the ACoN prooved to be a moderate success. only sulley muntari was in - and looking atthe evential squad, that surprisd me, as i would have expected mendes to play, particually in 4-4-2, and with diop out. whilst we didnt win, we were very unlucky, and i dont think we will have many problems in januarry. As for nugent and matty...when matty first came on, was he playing down the right, or was that just me? other than that, i thought both were superb.
pompeycarpet
Matty and Krunch swapped sides a couple of times but yes you're right Matty started on the right.Seems odd to me that wehad a right footed player on the left and a left footed one on the right but Krunchy has been superb all season on the left and if Matty can do a job onthe right as well then that opens up a lot of options for us.
Steve C
if they can both play down both sides, then opositions will be put up to a whole load of differnt combinations. it certainly seemed to work quite well - and it meant that both could come inside and take a shot, rather than go outwide for nthe cross.
pompeycarpet
Nugent???....sorry boyz...disagree!!! Im still not convinced..yesterday was one of his better performances, but I cant see him being better in any area compared to our other strikers....I agree we should look at keeping our young players...but why on earth have we got this guy for 4 - 6 million pounds???...I challenge anyone who would have bought him for that knowing how well he would play so far. Im so unconvinced, was he even prelific in the championship??...sorry for being such a grumpy bloke, I just cant see his appeal.
CharlieChimes
sure, looking at him and how much he has achieved so far, we havnt got a very good deal. BUT, he is still just 22, he has been talking for a while about how he has not settles in that easily, and to be fair, he has hardley been given a chance. when you are new to a club, playing 1 upfront, and the SECOND choice forward is top goalscorer in the league, can you really expect to play in the side? in the championship, he wasnt prolific, but he was playing for a below average team - and the goals he did score were works of genius. i have COMPLETE confidence that he will follow in the footsteps of benjani, and take off following his mediocre start.
pompeycarpet
james
same old defence
taylor davis mendes kranjcar
nuge benji
that to me, would see us through january
PompeyGleamer
and yes, charlie, nuge always seems happy! i remember at the blackburn game, when there were some preston fans in our stand, and nuge came and chatted to them, happily, i remember a preston fan telling me that, when nuge was playing for them, he once watched in the preston away stand with the supporters when he was suspended, cant see kanu doing that!
PompeyGleamer
we gave benji plenty of time and remained patient with him when others wrote him off so surely we have to do the same for nuge too... i still feel he will be a fantastic footballer and altho i doubted just a few weeks ago it would be here - i can see a turning point just around the corner...
pompeyrug
IF he can grab a goal before christmas, then the only reason he leaves is...hmmm...nope, cant think of one. He hasnt done enough to get a place ata premiership club, he wont want to go back to the championship, and he has said so many times he is commited to pompey that i am almost convinced h has supported us his whole life...remind you of anyone (muntari "i supported pompey for a year whilst i was at udinese")
pompeycarpet
Nugent will come good I'm sure and to comment on a earlier post about the smiling.. When that ball hit the post the look on Nugent's face wasn't one of 'oh christ am I ever gonna score for this damn club' it was more a smiling 'I can't believe that didn't go in' probably doesn't translate well into words but my point is that he was bothered and frustrated but in a happy way .. this shows that he is in a positive frame of mind... although it didn't go in it will still boost his confidence I'm sure.
Chix
yes, i saw it on MOTD, i had to go!! bloody birthday, although i agree, he is a great player, just needs to break his duck
PompeyGleamer
Chix, when it - nuge hitting the post - acutally happened i couldnt believe it, but soon couldnt help but smile alittle in a similar way to the way nuge did - its was the kind of look that you describe mate, not a look of a man that didnt care was it, so i know what you were saying, i had similar thoughts right away.
pompeyrug
if he had scored that goal. i know we shouldnt reflect like this, but imagine if that went in...
PompeyGleamer
it might sound a stupid thought - as clearly scoring a premier league goal is something he desperately needs - but in a funny sort of way it not going in might work even better for him... he now has a couple of weeks to work hard in training, keep up the hunger say the right things - and hope kanu doesnt recover - and he has a couple of games coming up that he will fancy...
pompeyrug
hmm, i just want him, despreatley to play well, i really like him, and i think e is going to have a great career, and i hope harry sees this, i mean there are so many players that didnt start off well, ronaldo wasnt that freat when he first arrvied at untied, anderson is only recently showing his price tag, and benji is a perfect exaample pf a player, with a bit of confidence can go leaps and bounds
PompeyGleamer
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Pompey predictions league - winners! (Saturday May 18 2013)
On this day in history...18th May (Saturday May 18 2013)
Sullivan brought in to replace Eastwood (Friday May 17 2013)
On this day in history...17th May (Friday May 17 2013)
On this day in history...16th May (Thursday May 16 2013)
End of the line for duo? (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Eastie to Rovers; Jobsite sign on (Wednesday May 15 2013)
Pompey sign defender Devera (Wednesday May 15 2013)
On this day in history...15th May (Wednesday May 15 2013)
One from two, or someone new? (Tuesday May 14 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | pompeyrug | 59 |
| 2. | eastneydave | 43 |
| 3. | storagematt | 30 |
| 4. | Jimsmithswig | 22 |
| 5. | mslorna48 | 20 |
| 6. | blueballoo2000 | 11 |
| 7. | PFCblue | 10 |
| 8. | PompeyJake | 9 |
| 9. | Pompeytim | 8 |
| 10. | Alty Blue | 7 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Shrewsbury | 3 | - | 2 | Portsmouth |
| Portsmouth | 3 | - | 0 | Sheff Utd |
| Brentford | 3 | - | 2 | Portsmouth |
| Portsmouth | 0 | - | 0 | Stevenage |
| Portsmouth | 1 | - | 0 | Tranmere |
| Preston | 1 | - | 1 | Portsmouth |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 18. Stevenage | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | -17 | 54 |
| 19. Oldham | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | -13 | 51 |
| 20. Colchester | 46 | 14 | 9 | 23 | -21 | 51 |
| 21. Scunthorpe | 46 | 13 | 9 | 24 | -24 | 48 |
| 22. Bury | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | -28 | 41 |
| 23. Hartlepool | 46 | 9 | 14 | 23 | -28 | 41 |
| 24. Portsmouth | 46 | 10 | 12 | 24 | -18 | 32 |
Breaking League News
| Let's Make A Dream Come True
» Yeovil : 18/05/2013 21:36:00
|
| Pre Wembley Preparations
» Yeovil : 18/05/2013 21:28:00
|
| Johnson Up For April Award
» Yeovil : 18/05/2013 21:24:00
|
| Pre-Contract Offer Made To Winger?
» Preston : 18/05/2013 19:50:00
|
| Murphy Heading North
» Carlisle : 18/05/2013 19:42:00
|
| DRFC Ryan - Only two left on Rovers shortlist
» Doncaster : 18/05/2013 16:39:00
|
| SUFC Two Yorkshire derbies for United
» Sheff Utd : 18/05/2013 16:03:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|
1 © - All content copyright Vital Network Ltd, not to be reproduced without explicit permission Copyright Issues
Cookie Policy
At Vital Football, we along with most other modern websites use small files called 'cookies' to create the most secure, effective and functional website possible for our users. Without these files our business model, based on advertising, breaks down and we would be unable to continue to provide the services that you are here to utilise. By continuing to use this website after seeing this message, you consent to our use of cookies on this device unless you have disabled them. For full details please read our Cookie Policy which can be found here. However, if you would like to disable cookies on this device, please view our Cookie Policy which contains an opt-out tool for disabling advertising cookies. Please also visit our information pages on 'How to manage cookies' if you would also like to block all other types of cookies. Please be aware that parts of this site will not function correctly if you disable cookies.