Pericard pursues Potters deal

Pericard: Changed man

Related links

Teams

• Stoke City

Players

• Vincent Pericard

Also see

• Football on Sky
• Sky Sports experts
• Super 6: Win £100k

Vincent Pericard is hoping his Carling Cup exploits will help salvage his faltering Stoke career.

The Cameroonian striker was handed a rare chance to impress boss Tony Pulis against Reading on Tuesday and responded with a goal in a game the Potters went on to win on penalties.

He believes he has found a new lease of life after a turbulent two years at the Britannia Stadium and is adamant that he is deserving of a new deal.

Frustrating

"It has been a frustrating time for me and I am now playing for my future," Pericard told the Sentinel.

"I have less than one year left on my contract and I have been knocking on the manager's door to say 'I am here'.

"I'm a changed man. I am more confident now, and I showed that by volunteering for our last penalty in the shoot-out against Reading.

"In my first year at Stoke I was getting frustrated with the fans on my back and I think the manager was a bit scared to pick me. I wasn't strong mentally.

"It was important for me to take that penalty to show I am not scared anymore."

Prison

Pericard saw last season disrupted by two spells behind bars for a motoring offence, but insists he is a reformed character.

"I am a better man after being to prison and getting back on track," he added.

"I owe him (Tony Pulis) a lot because the manager and the chairman stood behind me. Now I am just waiting for the manager to give me a chance so I can really repay his faith. I would love to stay here.

"I feel very confident in my game and my ability at the moment, but if it doesn't work out then I will have to be somewhere else."