10:21am Friday 19th March 2010
By Gordon Simpson
JASON Puncheon has described MK Dons manager Paul Ince as the biggest influence on his career.
The midfielder will be up against his former boss tomorrow, when Saints visit stadium: mk.
Although Puncheon is hoping to make it a miserable afternoon for Ince, he holds nothing but affection for him.
He credits the former Manchester United and England star for taking his game to a new level while he was on loan at MK Dons from Plymouth earlier this season.
When asked if he was the biggest influence on his career, Puncheon said: “I would say yes.
“Paul Ince has made me really believe in my talents, to get to where I can.
“I now believe in it even more, under a manager like Alan Pardew.
“From the moment Paul Ince met me, he always gave me the belief and installed it into me and made me feel like I was good enough, which is the reason why Alan Pardew’s come in and bought me and took me here.”
The 23-year-old – who scored for MK Dons when they lost 3-1 at St Mary’s back in October – added: “Paul Ince has helped me get to the player I am.
“Now I’ve taken that to Southampton and am looking to make further strides with Southampton.”
Puncheon began his career as a 16-year-old at Wimbledon, before being uprooted when the club moved to Milton Keynes.
After struggling to adapt, Puncheon dropped into League Two with Paul Fairclough’s Barnet.
Two years ago, he secured a move to Championship side Plymouth, but spent most of his time back on loan at MK Dons.
As such, it is a club that still holds a special place in Puncheon’s heart.
“Milton Keynes was a big part of my career,” he said. “I started there when I was a 16-year-old boy, when (chairman) Pete Winkleman first took over.
“I left there, I came back and the chairman’s always showed faith in me.”
He added: “I loved it there.
“The fans were good to me, the chairman was always good to me and the managers that have been there were always good to me.
“But Paul Ince was special.”
Puncheon, who has promised not to celebrate if he scores, said he is relishing his return tomorrow – although stressed his focus is on helping Saints secure three points.
“I’m looking forward to it, because I know a lot about Milton Keynes and they know a lot about me,” he said.
“But the most important thing for me is to go there and get three points for Southampton.
“They’re on the verge of the playoffs and we’re trying to achieve the playoffs, so it’s going to be a very entertaining game.
“The fans there were good to me, but it’s about getting the three points.”
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