Whispers

From famine to feast | More good news means a very formidable frontline

Image for From famine to feast | More good news means a very formidable frontline

Should he pass a medical and barring last minute issues with the deal – which is a straight loan so not much to go wrong there – Evan Ferguson will be a temporary West Ham player before the end of the transfer window. He will not be eligible to play against Chelsea having come off the bench in Brighton’s 0-7 thrashing against Nottingham Forest but will be available for West Ham’s next fixture against Brentford.

With the good news from Graham Potter heralding the return of Jarrod Bowen, hopefully tomorrow and Crysencio Summerville very near, West Ham could suddenly go from one extreme to the other – from packing no up-front punch to providing Graham Potter with a variety of attacking options.

Its a pretty formidable line up at the front, Lucas Paquetá having already shown what he can do in both the ‘inside left’ and ‘false 9’ positions to add to Kudus, Bowen, Summerville and Ferguson. I just had to sit and look at that sentence for a while, comparing it to the paucity of attacking options West Ham had to offer against Crystal Palace.

A straight loan might not be perfect – we’d all have loved an option to buy Ferguson but I’m sure Brighton would have insisted on ‘all or nothing’ – a mandatory purchase at an inflated figure which West Ham of course wouldn’t agree to without the injury prone player proving he can stay fit – or just the loan. If Ferguson flies then the Hammers will have a hatful of points and a higher league finish to show for the loan spell even if Brighton decide to take him back in the summer without negotiating a sale. Quite within their rights.

This deal gets West Ham out of a hole and gives the fans something to enjoy – the sight of a formidable front line and some attacking options. And for now, that’ll do nicely.

Share this article

From the old Bobby Moore Upper to the Billy Bonds' stand these days - sometimes- have to admit I have not renewed my season ticket... I've been watching since '03 and a supporter since about 1970..
Favourite player - Dean Ashton: Still watch YouTube repeats of the Cup Final of 2006 hoping in vain that Shaka Hislop grows six inches and stops Steven Gerrard's injury time equaliser. Can tell I'm getting old knowing I saw both Mark Noble's debut and his last game at West Ham.
Pulling on a Claret and Blue replica shirt still makes me feel the same butterflies as when I was seven years old. Magic.

9 comments

  • Pongo says:

    I heard Everton have signed Carlos alcaraz can’t see how a tennis player is going to harp them, it’s, a strange world is the Premier league

  • Ray says:

    Not convinced that the arrival of a one goal 20 year old turns West Hams front line into a “formidable” striking force. I think it is more likely to be another chapter in West Ham’s book of transfer mistakes, but that said, I do so hope I am reading this all wrong. Good luck to him and to WHU.

  • Mr T R says:

    …..I wish him well. 10 goals and a permanent West Ham contract please!

  • Steve says:

    Am I the only one think mom my this is only good for Brighton?
    Does well and his prices goes up and they probably won’t even sell, injured we pay his wages
    Would have insisted on a clause or move on and build for the future

  • Esexiron42 says:

    Still have reservations about this but trust the managers judgement. Looks like both clubs have come to a sensible agreement. Would have been good from our point of view to have option to.buy but Brighton obviously want to protect their investment if he stays injury free.

    As long as the medical doesn’t show any problems at least we now have options up front and hope he does well.

  • Happy hammer says:

    Great news
    Hope the lad rediscovers his form
    And wants to stay at the end of the season

  • Paul Taylor says:

    Good news indeed, ideal and hopefully he remains injury free and regains some fitness. Don’t think he’s the solution long term as all defenders are scared of any player with explosive pace and that can run off their shoulder. But it’s brilliant news to have a young, promising Centre Forward in Claret and Blue, long overdue.

  • Tim says:

    Good news indeed. A straight loan is very sensible in the circumstances. Gives Potter more time to assess things properly in the summer window.

Comments are closed.