CHANGE OF BOOTS DOES IT FOR NUGENT

It’s fair to say that David Nugent’s stay at Portsmouth was anything but auspicious.

Arriving from Preston North End for £6 million in the summer of 2007, there were rumours that the player would be allowed to leave the club in the same transfer window he arrived in!

Soon after, the then manager Harry Redknapp publicly announced that the striker would be free to go if the right offer came in. Hardly confidence building. Mind you, nor was his return of 3 goals in 33 games.

Nugent in action during his Pompey days

But it seems that a change of clubs and a switch of football boots might have done the trick for Nugent. Coming on as a substitute for Burnley on Saturday, Nugent scored twice as his new team recorded a 3 – 1 win over Sunderland in the EPL.

Interestingly, Nugent, who spent much of his Pompey career in the Umbro SX Valor II and indeed, started off this pre-season in them, has now changed to the adidas Predator.

If Redknapp had doubts about his ability, it seems Nugent’s new boss does not. Speaking after the game, Owen Coyle said:

I have always believed in David’s ability and that he is a top-class player.
He has a bit of a stop-start time at Portsmouth and we are trying to give him his confidence back.
David has come up trumps today with two terrific finishes and has benefitted from the hard work from the players who were on before he came on.
He is a terrific acquisition for the club and I am delighted to have him.