Puzzling, sometimes, being a West Ham fan. The continued absence of anyone able to score goals, and worse, now, the’ norm’ having become the selection of just two front men, with the ensuing surprise when the Hammers can’t muster more than a couple of shots on target in each game.
Quite what Potter, Sullivan, or anyone supporting the team expects, with sometimes nine behind the ball – and Kudus and Bowen isolated up front chasing long balls inevitably kicked by the ‘keeper.
Most other Premier League teams start with three forwards, sometimes three plus a ‘number ten’ slotted in behind to pull the strings and hit the creative passes. Not West Ham. Just two forwards.
So why, exactly, do we have young Evan Ferguson on loan, cooling his heels on the bench. Graham Potter is protecting the youngster for all the world as if it’s a member of his own family coming back from injury not another team’s temporary signing. Check out Potter’s own words to whufc.com:
“He’s where we expected him to be when he came in. 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, and we’re really happy with him.“
Building himself up? To what end? For West Ham to just about ‘build him up’ in time for a return to Brighton at the end of the season, fit, strong, recovered and ready to go?
Potter’s words can only mean there’s a bigger picture here and Ferguson is being ‘prepped’ for a longer term mission at West Ham.
Handling the 20 year old with kid gloves is fine, if there is a plan to reap the harvest over the coming seasons for all of the ‘nurture’ going on. If he wasn’t fit, he shouldn’t have been loaned.
So the more I hear Potter speak, and more importantly see the way he treats his young ‘temporary’ striker, the more inclined I am to think there’s a bigger picture already agreed between the two clubs for Ferguson’s future.
We’re going to get a good player eventually. No point in risking our plan now that we are safe. Let’s brace ourselves for the ride in 25/26.
Evan is on board with the plan and he’s a very happy bunny right now.
We are just having an extended pre-season. We’ll reap the benefits come next August.
COYI
There was no point getting him in and not ‘testing the goods’. Sink or swim, not wishing ill on the bloke, but if he breaks down, we’re no worse off. Sitting him on the bench is an expensive mistake and a complete waste of everybody’s time. Let’s see what he made of, because at the moment, I haven’t a clue.
Next you kniw, Fullkrug is fit and presumably picked in preference.
Nit giving Ferguson a run of games is
,I think, Potter’s first real mistake as manager.
Why has ferguson been picked to play for ireland yet cant play for westham?????
I think you’ll find that its entirely a case of stupidity on behalf of Potterand our recruitment. Brighton have made it 100% clear that he is in their long term plans and lets be honest, the team lady at Brighton will have a better handle on recruitment than anyone at West ham
Aaghh! We’re found out. Anyway, awfully decent of you chaps to get him back on his feet again for us.
Tootlepip,
UTA
My thought also don’t play him so other clubs don’t cotton on to him then get him off Brighton for a decent price slowly slowly catchee monkey as the saying goes and Ferguson hasn’t said a word about not playing
If they are telling him to look like he isn’t good enough to lower the fee then it’s an odd tactic Brighton will know how he was looking and supposedly Tony Bloom wants £90m for him, he looks like it would be a big punt to pay a third of that.
Surely it is time to start him….
Obviously your knowledge is much greater than most.
The more lowly fans just want to be informed if as you say Potter is playing to a plan.
General impression is to climb as high as possible in league to gain funds.
If this means playing with common sense get Ferguson and Guilherme playing.
What a waste of time and money if Guilherme is transferred and Ferguson goes back to Brighton.
Today is more a battle of managers and winner will take all honours (loser much flack).
maybe just stop reading it? That might suit us all.