Help Sitemap Home Skip Navigation Contact Us Disability Statement


Sheffield Wednesday: 'Purse will come good'

Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image
Click on thumbnail to view image

Published Date: 25 November 2009
By Paul Thompson
BRIAN Laws has defended Darren Purse as the Owls captain renews his challenge for a first team place.
The signing of the defender and his form have been a big subject for debate among fans this season, and the issue was raised both at yesterday morning's AGM in Sheffield city centre and the fans' forum at Hillsborough in the evening.

But Laws twice broadcast the message that the centre half will go on to prove his worth despite his early-season loss of form.

It came on the day that Purse made his comeback by helping the reserves to keep a clean sheet with a draw against Derby at Stocksbridge in the afternoon.

The Owls boss also explained that the club did not have the money to buy players in the summer so had to get the best of those who were out of contract.

Laws told fans last night that Purse had ticked all the boxes for organisation, leadership, experience, and form last season.

"He had a terrible September and made mistakes which were costly. He lost his confidence, and you lost your confidence in him.

"We have to support him, because I believe he'll bounce back. He's a good signing, it just hasn't happened for him at the moment. But he will be part of a successful side. He's a damned good leader: I believe he will help the younger players who are in our side."

But the Owls boss also praised the new centre-back partnership of Richard Hinds and Lewis Buxton, and Purse will have to win a fight to get back in the side.

His challenge began yesterday in the reserves after he missed two senior games through illness.

Laws said: "Darren Purse and Mark Beevers did exceptionally well against a strong Derby outfit, and Sean McAllister was very industrious in midfield. Some really good football was played, and the attitude of the players was first class."

The Owls manager was non-commital about reports that Stoke midfielder Tom Soares is or was a loan target. He did reveal that one possible loan deal for a Premier League player has fallen through but he has switched targets and still hopes to seal one or two deals by tomorrow's deadline.

What do you think? Add your comments below.

READ MORE
Subscribe to The Star or Green 'Un
Visit our Matchday Centre for free live coverage of every match
Football headlines. Football gossip. Blades news Owls news Reds news. Millers news. More rugby. More boxing. Sports columnists.
All sport categories
Free E-Mag: Premier League 2009-10 Preview
Watch Premiership highlights, international football, golf, tennis, darts and much more - click here

Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 25 November 2009 9:43 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
Prev
1
2
Next
Last
1

Owls8682,

25/11/2009 08:29:37
Not holding my breath on anybody coming in, more rumour mill speculation and the "management team" talking the talk!!!!
2

mick9,

25/11/2009 09:14:29
More hot air from BL's - stop talking rubbish and deliver on the pitch! You know you have signed Jeffers Mk2 and 3 in Purse and Miller - absolute waste of money and place in the team.
3

darnall owl,

sheffield 25/11/2009 09:24:09
Purse is a bad signing - on what basis is he a good one ?.
4

MorleyStOwl,

25/11/2009 09:57:40
If we had no money then on the face of it Purse & Miller were two of the more appealing affordable free transfers. However neither has delivered as yet
5

Tommyj,

Sydney 25/11/2009 10:01:38
Supporters need to realise that signing a player like Purse is as good as we can expect. He has had a strong career to date and isn't too old. He's a Wednesday Player and still has the opportunity to come good, more chance of doing that if fans get off his back.
6

Kenn the Owl,

Driffield 25/11/2009 10:18:35
Brian Laws' defence of Darren Purse reflects the fact that his judgement is impaired. Here is a conspiracy theory - Purse does not compare with Richard Wood and Laws probably realised that, so what does he do - he gets rid of Richard Wood. If purse were as good as Laws claims, then Cardiff City would not have released him. Get real Laws!!
7

RupertOwl,

Sheffield 25/11/2009 10:32:59
Just about sick and tired of BL's excuses. Seems to me to be the same old tripe he trots out at evey press conference. This team is now most definately his, Purse, Jeffers and all. 3 years is time enough to be seen to be improving irrespective of the money constraints in place nad that doesn't excuse some of the very poor signings he has made. We are no better a side than we were when he took over. Think it is time he left and took his most of his recruits with him !!!
8

Sheffield England,

25/11/2009 11:05:05
*YAWN*
9

andyowls,

Sheffield 25/11/2009 11:09:35
Kenn the Owl - Laws' judgement is impaired, you say? What would you rather he said? That Purse has indeed been an awful signing and that he doesn't deserve a place in the team? That he's the biggest waste of space at the club and the sooner he left, the better? These things may indeed be true, but the bloomin' manager isn't gonna come out to the press and admit that! Of course he's going to defend the guy. This is a player that Laws has placed trust in, as well as a large portion of his summer wage budget. It's obvious that he does think he can get better (he can't get much worse) so don't have a go at him for simply having his back. And Laws didn't have a say in "getting rid" of Wood. He rejected double wages - what more could he do? Wood's been on his way since handing that transfer request in last season.

"Get real Laws", you say. I say, "get real fans".
10

darnall owl,

sheffield 25/11/2009 12:13:36
andy - I would rather he say nothing than rubbish, he has not been a good signing and those that say with no money that is what we can expect then im pretty sure his wage should and could have been used to keep Wood !
Prev
1
2
Next
Last

 

Comment on this Story

 

In order to post comments you must Register or Sign In

 
 
RSS Feed of this article's comments
Delivery formats: RSS, Atom, Javascript & Email
 
 


Sister Newspapers:
Press Complaints Commission

This website and its associated newspaper adheres to the Press Complaints Commission’s Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then contact the Editor by clicking here.

If you remain dissatisfied with the response provided then you can contact the PCC by clicking here.