Portsmouth signing Nugent raps Sunderland's Keane
tribalfooball.com - July 28, 2007
New Portsmouth signing David Nugent has taken a swipe at Sunderland boss Roy Keane. Keane felt Nugent had spent too long considering a move to Sunderland and withdrew his offer. But the player responded last night by saying he had every right to take time over the biggest decision of his career.
"I wanted some time to speak to my family about it. I don't think there was anything wrong in that - most players would have done the same," said Nugent.
"Roy Keane took it the wrong way. He withdrew his bid without saying anything and that was that.
"It was disappointing for me because I had taken the time to talk with them but I don't have any regrets about what happened because I have joined Portsmouth.
"Harry Redknapp made me feel wanted. He didn't try to rush me into anything. We spoke, he showed me around and told me about his plans for the club and then told me to go away and think about it.
"Once you speak with Harry, it's very difficult to say no. I suppose that comes through years of experience in dealing with footballers, something that Roy Keane has yet to gain as a manager.
"I didn't snub Sunderland - it was the other way round."