A Vital Portsmouth Take On David Nugent

With massive thanks to PompeyRug from Vital Pompey, no real surprises in the departure it seems.

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1 - How disappointed are Pompey fans to see David Nugent move on?

Of course I can only really speak for myself, although the impression I get is that the overall view is that the majority are not that disappointed really...

He has always had a stuttering Pompey career and a departure seemed inevitable from an early stage, the fact that it finally came at the end of his contract was the only real surprise for me that it took that long in all honesty - that said his excessive wages for a player of his ability probably had a lot to do with the length it took him to leave I suspect.

Do not get me wrong he will work hard for you - he did us last season, well the first half a season anyway - but you 'might' soon become pretty frustrated with him, depending on how much of a look-in he gets?

2 - What type of striker can we expect and are you going to miss his presence on the pitch?

As said he works hard, but for a lot of Pompey fans his goals to chances ratio has always let him down.

14-goals from a wide role was not a bad return last season, played as a striker he could get that and more although even as a wide player he could, and should, have scored at least double! He lacks composure in front of goal really and can often have a poor first touch, this leads to him expanding needless energy making up for his own error.

3 - Looking at the stats he hasn't lived up to his early potential, his England capping etc...how do you think he is going to fare with us, or is their now far more to his game than simply finishing?

Like I say he will work hard for you, even more so if the going is good with your club.

He can score some belters but some of his finishing is poor, very poor. He is a decent footballer but one that I suspect has believed too much in some of that early career hype surrounding him and forgotten that he has not lived up to it.

4 - Will Pompey fans feel let down by him moving, do you wish him the best for the future or will you just be disappointed that after such an outlay he's leaving on a free?

It was always going to happen, I never thought (seriously) for one minute that he would stay with us beyond the end of his contract. I have no malice towards him, I would wish him (and his old man who is great company to keep in the pub before a game) well enough and bet he will score against us, and Ipswich, this season!

What I will say is that I have little doubt that his head was turned by the money on offer as I also have little doubt that Leicester were able to offer him more money than anyone else and it 'seems' this has motivated him?

A feeling of déjà vu is something he will come across I reckon with you I suspect in the next 12-15-months, as Sven WILL look to keep bringing in more players and assuming you get into the premier league they will be bigger, better and more well paid and this will see Nugent pushed down the pecking order. He will still be picking up good money though so staying until the end of his contract, probably going out on loan at some point, is a scenario I can see playing out for him again...

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With thanks to PompeyRug, and best of luck next season!

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