PUNCHEON IN FIRST XI
Posted on: Mon 28 Apr 2008
Jason Puncheon, back to his irresistible best against Stockport County on Saturday in front of 25 scouts from top Premiership and Championship clubs, was chosen in the Coca-Cola League 2 team of the season the next day by the votes of his fellow professionals around the country.
The 21-year-old left sided midfielder, who has scored 11 times this season, was at the Professional Footballers Association 35th annual awards on Sunday with assistant manager Ian Hendon, club captain Lee Harrison and striker Giuliano Grazioli to receive his divisional award.
Manager Paul Fairclough said: "Jason has got the best left foot in our league by far and he has shown great character this season because it did not go all his way all the time".
A delighted Jason told www.barnetfc.com at the awards ceremony: "This shows that players in the League - your peers - are aware of you. I am always looking to learn and improve my game.
"Nobody knows what the future holds in football - I am happy at Barnet and grateful to the manager for giving me a chance to resurrect my career with the Bees.
"At the moment I am enjoying my first goal since Boxing Day and the 2-1 win against a top team like Stockport ... we need to take this form into next season.
"I have another year on my contract and, although like everyone else I dream of a move to a top club, I will leave it to the chairman and the manager to decide my future and the best time for me to move on".
Jason scored 10 goals in the first half of this season. He admits that he was "disappointed" that an offer from Leeds United in the January transfer window was rejected, but denies any connection with his subsequent "dip in form" - his words - which eventually led to his being dropped.
He started his career with Wimbledon and MK Dons, where he managed one League goal in 15 appearances in three years.
It is well chronicled, as noted by the PFA, that he then "somewhat drifted out of the professional game". A trial with the Bees convinced Paul Fairclough that Puncheon had the potential to carve out a new career.
He has, as his manager says, a sweet left foot, exceptional skills to go past opponents and explosive shooting. Jason doesn't do tap-ins; his various goals vie for the best-of-the season accolade.
Footnote: His right foot isn't bad either - witness his goal against Stockport.
Dennis Signy
The 21-year-old left sided midfielder, who has scored 11 times this season, was at the Professional Footballers Association 35th annual awards on Sunday with assistant manager Ian Hendon, club captain Lee Harrison and striker Giuliano Grazioli to receive his divisional award.
Manager Paul Fairclough said: "Jason has got the best left foot in our league by far and he has shown great character this season because it did not go all his way all the time".
A delighted Jason told www.barnetfc.com at the awards ceremony: "This shows that players in the League - your peers - are aware of you. I am always looking to learn and improve my game.
"Nobody knows what the future holds in football - I am happy at Barnet and grateful to the manager for giving me a chance to resurrect my career with the Bees.
"At the moment I am enjoying my first goal since Boxing Day and the 2-1 win against a top team like Stockport ... we need to take this form into next season.
"I have another year on my contract and, although like everyone else I dream of a move to a top club, I will leave it to the chairman and the manager to decide my future and the best time for me to move on".
Jason scored 10 goals in the first half of this season. He admits that he was "disappointed" that an offer from Leeds United in the January transfer window was rejected, but denies any connection with his subsequent "dip in form" - his words - which eventually led to his being dropped.
He started his career with Wimbledon and MK Dons, where he managed one League goal in 15 appearances in three years.
It is well chronicled, as noted by the PFA, that he then "somewhat drifted out of the professional game". A trial with the Bees convinced Paul Fairclough that Puncheon had the potential to carve out a new career.
He has, as his manager says, a sweet left foot, exceptional skills to go past opponents and explosive shooting. Jason doesn't do tap-ins; his various goals vie for the best-of-the season accolade.
Footnote: His right foot isn't bad either - witness his goal against Stockport.
Dennis Signy
Advertisement
