Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:02 pm
Warnock’s Warning For Teenager Dominic Seven Years Ago – And Now He’s Hoping To Make Newport Deby
Saturday 7th September 2019
by Terry Phillips
London-born Dominic Poleon, Newport County’s deadline day signing from Crawley Town, could make his Exiles’ debut against Port Vale at Rodney Parade on Saturday (3pm).
Poleon, aged 26, was highly-rated by Leeds United manager Neil Warnock when the young striker was at Elland Road between 2012 and 2014, although the current Bluebirds boss had a warning for his young protege.
Warnock said teenager Poleon, who was 19-years-old, had the potential to become ‘a top player’, but said he risked his career ‘fizzling out’ without a shift in his work-rate and his approach to the game.
“Dominic could have a very good career or he could fizzle out playing in the lower divisions or in non league,” said Warnock during September 2012. “It’s up to him.
“He has things in his locker that you can’t coach or train, but he also has things in his locker which you have to change if you want to become a top player.
“That’s what I’ve been talking to him about for the past few weeks.”
Poleon made 36 first team appearances for Leeds, scoring four goals, while he has since played for Bury, Sheffield United, Oldham Athletic, AFC Wimbledon, Bradford City ands Crawley.
Warnock compared Poleon’s situation at the time to that which faced a young Victor Moses at Crystal Palace. Moses made his league debut for Palace under Warnock in 2007 and later earned transfers to Wigan Athletic and Chelsea for fees together worth more than £10m.
Poleon, who can also play in wide areas, has played at Championship or League One level most of his career and is now hoping to play a part in County’s bid for promotion from League Two.
Port Vale are at Rodney Parade this afternoon and Poleon could start with Tristan Abrahams a doubt after straining his hamstrings, while Ryan Inniss was sent off as Newport lost 5-4 to West Ham in the EFL Trophy and is facing suspension.
County defender Inniss has been charged by the Football Association following an an alleged biting offence in the EFL Trophy defeat by West Ham.