Marc Pugh, the one that got away

[cricketfieldclarets]

What was the story behind Pugh going. I know we didnt offer him a contract. Is he just a late bloomer? Has been great for Bournemouth and today especially was outstanding.

Was with us at the time McCann and Lafferty broke through, just before Jay and just after Chaplow. So its not as if we werent blooding youngsters. He has had a career as good as any of them. We were also very short on players in those days. So why couldnt he break through?

Is the McCartan situation a similar one?

Could have been one of our all time appearance holders by now.

[ksrclaret]

I think he's only just got hold of a regular spot in their side very recently, been very much a squad player for them since Eddie went back but as we know he likes his options out wide. He's looked good in the last few weeks for them though.

Very true about our lack of players back then though, we seemed to struggle to fill the bench most weeks. He just can't have been good enough because half decent players were hard to find.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Its a strange one. Maybe its dedication and application after being released thats got him where he is? And a bit of luck!

[Claretforever]

I don't care. He obviously fits into their way of playing but I feel he's their Arfield. Decent, but their fans wouldn't be having a hissy fit if he left?

[boatshed bill]

I seem to remember Pugh being one of the best of our young players when he was here. Strange that we let him go.

[Sidney1st]

Possibly not Burnley related but I vaguely recall reading something about a manager somewhere stating Pugh has poor eyesight and that's why they didn't sign him?

I might be completely wrong on that though.

[Devils_Advocate]

After leaving Burnley he spent 4 years moving around the lower divisions before joining League 1 Bournemouth. Like a lot of Bournemouth players Pugh has benefited and massively developed by having a great coach like Howe managing him. Also being part of a club that has gone from bottom to top in no time at all whilst maintaining a core group of players has also helped.

How anyone can suggest that the Pugh we had in 2006 was worth keeping is a joke. We made the right decision to let him go but fair play to the lad to keep working and get himself playing at the top level

[Burnleyareback2]

Great coach and then the word Howe????

Wow, all in 1 sentence.

[Bordeauxclaret]

All down to Jason Blake. And a time machine.

[ClaretTony]

What was the story behind Pugh going.

Stayed with us until he was 19 and was not pushing for a place in the first team squad, rightly or wrongly. He went to play for Bury, Shrewsbury, Luton and Hereford after leaving Burnley and was then picked up by Bournemouth seven years ago on a free transfer. A few months later Eddie Howe moved to Burnley and at a Q&A night told those there that he wasn't interested in bringing Pugh to Burnley, that he thought League One was more his level.

I always thought he was on the maybe or maybe not list when he was in the youth team, never too sure whether we should keep him or not. Ultimately it was the correct decision given that he did spend the next seven years playing at a level lower than us and last season was the first time he ever played at a level above us.

Well done to him though, he's a really good lad and he's now a Premier League footballer. Only last week Howe said he thought he would go on to become Bournemouth's greatest all time player, that says a lot about him.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Thought as much. So seems its his dedication post release rather than one that got away so to speak. And a bit of luck.