Only appearing in the 90th minute, Evan Ferguson had another frustrating afternoon at Goodison Park, spending more time warming-up than participating in the action on the pitch. I cannot help feeling that this is not what he – or we – expected when he signed up for a London Stadium loan in the winter transfer window. It is now March and there are just nine games to go ( he cannot play against Brighton), and I’m sure his parent club is just as disappointed as Hammers’ supporters with his 5 brief substitute appearances for 90 minutes in total.
This despite Graham Potter’s assertion that he was ‘really happy‘ with his Irish forward. Potter’s own words:
“He came in as a young player who has had time out with injuries, to come and help the squad, and that’s what he’s done…He came on against Brentford and made a good impact, and he’s done well when he’s been in the games. He’s building himself up all the time”
When Ferguson arrived he’d just made one appearance as a substitute for Brighton in their 7-0 shellacking by Nottingham Forest on 1st February, so perhaps he’s been recovering more slowly from an injury: Maybe that explains his lack of a start at West Ham,who, let’s face it, have no other options as a striker without Fullkrug or Antonio. ( Danny Ings is not a ‘starter’ option for a Premier League club these days, before you comment).
Jarrod Bowen starting as the lone striker yesterday can only mean Ferguson still isn’t fit enough for a start – surely?
A conundrum indeed given that the young forward has been called up by his national side. Our highly placed source inside West Ham was quite categorical today when quizzed by Claret and Hugh about any injury or fitness issue that might be preventing Ferguson from starting:
“He’s not injured – [just] not being picked”.
Which was very surprising. Here is the forward Graham Potter pressed for, the only signing in the January window – unused.
Gonzo’s earlier article suggests Potter will have his work cut out keeping Ferguson onside. He’s not wrong! The Hammers’ manager professes to be ‘really happy with him‘ – but – no starts for the striker.
No fitness worries, just left out through his manager’s choice. Difficult to square that circle. I hope Ferguson goes away with Ireland and smashes a couple of hat-tricks to remind his temporary coach that he’s here to play, not to warm the bench. Thursday, 20th March 7.45pm, Bulgaria v Ireland. And again, three days later, Ireland v Bulgaria, Dublin 7.45pm GMT on Sunday 23 March. Two games in three days – let’s see how fit he is!
Ferguson is out of sorts, looks off the pace and is not the player that burst onto the scene a few years ago. Trying to fit two quality right wingers in Bowen and Kudus into the team also doesn’t help matters. I don’t think there’s a system to cure all our problems, but with the emphasis on being tighter at the back and keeping possession, I can’t see Potter playing all 3. A more dynamic striker may be needed come the summer but one thing is for sure I’m not overly worried about Ferguson’s lack of game time.
2 games in 4 days, Martin 🙂
Well he could be playing for Ireland in a few days time. So we’ll see if he’s fit won’t we.
Bloody ridiculous – all that time out of work and studying the game and then he refuses to play the only recognised striker we have who he gave his debut to at Brighton and made his number 1 transfer target! Somebody please explain how that makes any sense as he is not injured and must be wondering why he came here. Same with Guilherme.
This looks like another ploy to bring the price down arguing he isnt 100 per cent fit When negotiations start to buy him coyi
Hi Martin, if this is indeed correct it makes me a tad concerned that we have another manager who isn’t great in the transfer market and who takes an eternity to play new players, something we’re all too familiar with I fear. Cheers
Wrapping new starters in cotton wool was definitely a Moyes trait and it didn’t work.
Ferguson and Guilherme like two peas in a pod both getting same treatment both came to club on promises.
Are Ireland that short of strikers that he is selected without hardly playing?
Disappointing for the rest of us but I’m pretty sure Potters got the players best interests at heart and is doing a great job of protecting and nurturing the young player back to his best.
But John the club source claimed he is not injured – he is just not being picked. Absolutely ridiculous not giving the only recognised striker we have who was Potters’ top transfer target and then not playing him. That is not protecting a player it simply demotivated those when Moyes used the same approach and we are crying out for goals. Only 9 games left, he must wonder why he came here. So dissapointed to see the same style of play in attacking sense and zero creativity from Potters’ tactics. Ferguson is a recognised striker who will go on to score goals but sadly it won’t be here.
The mind boggles.
More likely he gets goals for Ireland and comes back injured.