With former Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea manager Graham Potter arriving at West Ham United at the beginning of January, it did not come as a great surprise to many Hammers fans that the 49 year old seemed to prioritise a return to one of his former clubs in what remained of the New Year transfer window to pick up a player he knew pretty well.
In our case, and what became the only real and notable incoming signing of the window, the player the former professional left back returned for was incredibly highly rated youngster Evan Ferguson who had made the step up to first team duties during Potter’s spell at the Amex Stadium.
It is not unfair to say that the 20 year old Republic of Ireland international is still adjusting and settling in to life at the London Stadium, and nor is it unfair to say that so far he has failed to really impress many in the fan base as his fitness, sharpness and over all confidence has not yet returned to the levels that we know he is capable of playing at following the injury issues that ultimately held him back with the Seagulls.
This was one of the many topics that former Ireland and Tottenham Hotspur star Robbie Keane addressed in his latest column as he now serves as a Betway Insider ambassador, and he feels that his recent international performances (not least finding the net for the first time since last November in their Nations League game with Bulgaria) show that he is getting their with his form, and that West Ham should soon reap the benefits of that.
Speaking about Ferguson whilst looking at the Republic’s latest group games in the last international break, Keane felt that one of the things that was holding the player back from regaining the form that had originally seen him win headlines and plaudits for was simply his continuing lack of real game minutes. However, he knew that this was something that every developing player has to go through as they have to learn the process of regaining their true form, irrespective of whatever kind of natural talent they may hold.
For him, all Ferguson needs to do is double down in training and keep impressing to get chances from Potter and then seize them properly when they come along as he looks to re-establish himself as a player who can really last and compete for 90 minutes, and contribute both goals and assists again.
He knew his confidence would be boosted by his goal against Bulgaria, so it is simply about returning to the club and proving he deserves more minutes and more starts between now and the end of the campaign.
If he can do that, and give Potter more of the player that many of us thought we might be getting, then we have a decision to make on whether a permanent deal can be done over the summer with his parent club or whether or not we look elsewhere.
It is in his hands ultimately, but his earlier injury and layoff seems to have affected him in a greater way than most had hoped originally.
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