Finally the football’s back. It seems like an age, more like one of those accursed international breaks, but rather because of West Ham’s early exit from the FA Cup that the squad were rewarded with a weekend off and the media spent an extra seven days wondering what to write about. Brentford, todays opponents are similarly rested having exited the cup at the same stage.
Graham Potter today has the luxury of choices all over the pitch with five players returning from the sick list. Only Antonio, Fullkrug and Crysencio Summerville are absent which seems mild by comparison with recent weeks. Quite how West Ham will set up appears the subject for conjecture – more later in our preview- but the loan signing everyone wants to see will more than likely be on the bench today.
Evan Ferguson is short on match time and by Potter’s own admission needs careful management: Quite the injury prone talent, West Ham’s temporary front man played less than twenty minutes of Brighton’s 0-7 thrashing by Nottingham Forest so is unlikely to get a start.
Hammers fans will need to be patient to get a glimpse of the 22 year old frontman as Jarrod Bowen is more than likely to be in the striker role from the whistle, with Ferguson amongst the substitutes.
Graham Potter has already brushed aside conjecture over a permanent deal being possible, focusing instead on getting the enjoyment back into Ferguson’s game:“Let’s focus on having the best 14 matches we can, and then we can make a decision at the end of the season.”
Great finally to have options on the bench instead of being down to the bare bones. Seeing Evan Ferguson alongside Danny Ings on the West Ham bench will be somewhat reassuring – especially if West Ham do concede, there’s a plan B ready and waiting.
Check back for full team news, our predictions and post-match analysis later today
How the hell is he gonna get match-fit unless he plays. he must be chomping a the bit to get on the pitch and play . in my opinion if he’s not injured give him a go, he could make all the difference especially if J W P is playing floating them corners into dangerous areas for him to get his nut on. well that’s my 2 opinion for what it’s worth. C O Y I’s
Cheers Paul.
Ferguson is just as likely to spend time out injured as playing. He is not match fit where he’s still returning from injury. Potter is more than on the case saying that he needs management and lets have the best 14 games that we (he) can. Potter will do what is right which is not push him.
Hopefully he will remain injury free, can’t see him getting more than half an hour of not fully at pace today. I am impressed by how on top of things Potter seems to be, he gives every impression of being well within his limits is the absolute opposite to Lopetegui.
“the absolute opposite to Lopetegui.”
We can only hope!!
Agree that Ferguson’s time will need to be managed.
I’d like to see him play alongside Ings, they may just click together?