When Alan Pardew came to the club two years ago last December, one of the initial transfer targets we had in the summer of 2011 was Jason Puncheon, who had played for Alan Pardew while he was manager of Southampton.
Jason Puncheon – in action for Southampton against Oldham
And since that time Southampton have reached the Premier League and at the moment are one place ahead of Newcastle on 27 points in 15th place.
There is news today that Newcastle could again be interested in the 26 year-old, who has shown some good form for Southampton this season, and has scored 5 goals in 24 appearances for the Saints.
Jason’s contract runs out in the summer, and the news is that West Ham and Newcastle could be interested in the Englishman, although Puncheon is said to be happy enough to stay at Southampton.
However the owner and Chairman Nicola Cortese seems to be a difficult man to get on with, and there’s not a good relationship between the player and the former Italian Banker – which may be why Southampton are stalling on offering the lad a new deal.
The Chairman had previously placed Jason on the transfer list, but Nicola Cortese has said he would be willing to extend the lad’s contract, but not until the end of the season.
And that’s a risky move, because other clubs can talk to the player since last month – and he could well be offered a better deal by another club.
Maybe one of those clubs will be Newcastle, and Jason has both pace and creativity, and could be a decent addition to the Newcastle squad.
Jason has played for eleven clubs so far in his career, and joined Southampton in 2010 when Alan Pardew was the manager.
And it will be kind of quaint to have an Englishman join Newcastle – it certainly would be a change.
Comments welcome.
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9 comments so far
Transfer Sage
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Comment #1no thanks
He is a decent player but doesn’t really take us forward….improvement on jonas/obertan out wide but would rather spend the money to get somebody better.
magpietillidie
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Comment #2Not a bad player but not what we want if we are to be a top ten team
Kyo
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:23 AM
Comment #3Daily Mail crap.
yo-yo
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #4TS previous
I think if Metallist come at us and we field a strong back four with 2 solid DMs in front we can play a counter attacking game which we are getting pretty decent at. We need a pass sprayer and some good movement upfield. Got to be Cabs and/or Anita (if he’s fit) as they have both got good vision.
We need Cisse to bang one in and hope it is not called offside.
Lot of debate about what strength team we will play given the Southampton six pointer. Even if we get two score draws from these games we’re okay. Better the 3 pts against Southampton mind. I think Pards will set up a counterattacking side Thursday.
tequilamag
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Comment #5We are just about up to the limit with foreign players. He would improve the quality of the home grown players we need in the squad. Having said that we have only just finished a trans window and there will be dozens of players touted as Summer signings and most will be press BS.
magpietillidie
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Comment #6We should defo be looking at some young english players as there will come a point when we need them for the home grown rules as i dont believe most in our squad are good enough to come in and help if we are to be a top team
Mister Tuff
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Comment #7I don’t think Puncheon would take us forward at all -he has had a couple of good games recently which has brought him a bit of attention. However looking at his record he may score on average 6-8 goals per season (should exceed that this season though). I don’t think there is a chance that we are even interested in him. Yet another daft newspaper story.
toonincheek
Feb 18, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Comment #8Just wondering what the Metalist pitch is like.
Normally, I would have expected it to be a bit rough, but as they are a skilful team with many South Americans, maybe they have their pitch prepared to suit their players.
Strong team but looking to stike on the counter seems likely, as Ed says.
Owldman
Feb 18, 2013 at 12:01 PM
Comment #9I’m not sure if Carr was our senior scout before Pardew came to Toon if he was i’m sure he would he would have scouted Puncheon , if he did he was obviously not impressed , because if he had been he would surely have recommend we go for him.An interesting point for debate?