After two years at Portsmouth, David Nugent finally arrived in the Premier League this weekend. His two goals for Burnley displayed the qualities that earned him a move to the highest level from Preston in Jully 2007, and even an England cap (and a snatched goal).
His time at Portsmouth was not a success by any means, and a fresh start looks like it was what Nugent required to get his career back on track. From the beginning, Nugent appeared to have made a wrong move. Just weeks after moving to Pompey, rumours emerged that Derby were about to table a bid to take him to Pride Park. Hardly an ideal start for a player looking to make a step up from the Championship.
A more welcoming reception at a newly promoted club up in the North West looks to have helped rebuild some confidence and the premise of regular football is something that Portsmouth never offered Nugent. Burnley are not dissimilar from the Preston side that Nugent was so successful in – a small unit of well organised players, with fans fully behind their club. No doubt the fact that Burnley manager Owen Coyle was willing to gamble on the player despite Pompey manager Paul Hart’s misgivings about his ability will have also put a reassuring arm around Nugent’ shoulder.
There are many reasons to suggest why Nugent and Portsmouth did not work out. The off field issues regarding ownership and lack of funds did not help anyone connected with the club and Nugent may be the type to excel in stable conditions. Portsmouth were certainly not a stable club and it did not take the problems between Nugent and Marc Wilson to work out that all was not well in the dressing room as well as the board room. That Nugent was involved perhaps told more the story of one man’s frustration on the South Coast.
As Owen Coyle said after beating Sunderland 3-1, “our strength is not in one or two players – it’s in the group”. That philosophy, along with Burnley’s geographical location, may help to explain why David Nugent suddenly feels so at home.
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