In order to prove that he can be a success in the top flight Dave Nugent has been putting in extra effort in order to get himself in top shape fitness wise, as he has revealed to The News: ‘It came to the point were I thought “there must be something wrong here” and decided to do something about it.
‘Now I’m putting in extra training and just trying to keep my fitness at a good level.
‘I’ve been going in early every morning, doing work with the fitness coach, then staying behind shooting with the coaches. When I get called upon I want to be ready.
‘I think you’ve got to put in extra work, especially if you are not playing.
‘You’ve got to practice and play in the reserves to keep your match fitness up so when needed you can make an impact.
‘Many players would not do that, but then I am not one of them.
‘If you want to be the best you can then you have got to do extra training. That’s my belief.
‘It’s been my idea, no-one else’s. Three or four times a week I’m involved in extra training and it’s something I’ve been doing for the past two months.
‘I start work with Jon Dalzell from 9-10am on my fitness, with training starting at 10.30am. Then, after training, I stay behind with Joe Jordan and Paul Groves and do some shooting.
The more I hear from Nugent the more impressed I become and he really does seem like he wants to be a success with Pompey – which I still hope, and think he can be.
The step up from the championship to the premier league is quite a gap, so a mere lack of fitness and appreciation of the level you are at can have an effect on your performance, so maybe this had played more than a part in Nugent’s mere bit part showing this season? But then again Kanu never looks fit and he still gets games…
Nugent looked in the best shape – and gave the best account of himself – that I have seen since he came to Pompey against City recently, but since then he has not featured, which has been more than a little frustrating to say the least, but hopefully his extra work at the training ground can reap some rewards sooner rather than later.
Personally I would make this much sooner, rather than later and would not wait until the African nations comes round… I find the fact that a nowhere near fit Kanu keeps jumping the queue ahead of Nugent bang out of order.
Benjani works as hard as anyone, so is near impossible to leave out but his goals seem to have dried up again recently, Kanu has that touch of genius about him but he is nowhere near fit. Nugent is desperate for goals and has such hunger to be given a chance, he is chomping at the bit so should he not be unleashed now – his time must be due surely?
PLAY UP POMPEY!
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