It is fair to say that there was interest in West Ham’s new debutant from far and wide: East London was watching the new – if temporary – Hammers’ striker, but onlookers from further afield delivered their own assessment, devoid of the usual weight of expectation or disappointment which we as West Ham fans pile onto every new face.
From Evan Ferguson’s homeland, the opinion was forthcoming as the Irishman played 45 minutes without mishap or reaction to that old ankle injury.
Theirishmirror.ie carries an optimistic report entitled:
“Evan Ferguson makes declaration after West Ham debut as he hails ‘fresh start’:
Interesting to get an objective assessment, as Hammers fans find it difficult to see the wood for the trees this Monday morning after such a disappointing performance and result against Brentford.
“Evan Ferguson has delivered a statement of intent after making his West Ham debut in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford. The Ireland striker came off the bench at half-time and won the praise of Hammers fans with his performance, even if he could not force an equaliser.”
And whilst I’d take issue with their suggestion that: ” He did bring the best out of Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, and his all-round game earned him plaudits”, certainly Ferguson’s debut in Claret and Blue offered more promise and enterprise than the Hammers showed in the first half.
The young man himself wasn’t too downbeat (unlike the rest of us) after the game: “I think it’s good that I’m in a new place, a new environment and sort of having that fresh start,” he said.
What is clear is that Ferguson offers a desperately needed new axis of attack, laying-off well to those around him as a traditional number nine, and running in behind Brentford’s defence in a refreshingly straightforward manner, unseen at West Ham since Antonio’s injury.
If Kudus hadn’t contrived to miss from six yards out then West Ham would have grabbed a point at least.
Ferguson isn’t making unrealistic promises of crashing ten goals in between now and May: Certainly he’ll be offering a threat to defences which has been sadly lacking in West Ham’s earlier performances.
As the 22 year old grows into his role, West Ham will create more chances and play more in the style of Saturday’s second half which can only be welcomed. Something to look forward to? A goal against Arsenal would be lovely. Something positive to focus on just now.
The one thing Potter has done immediately is given the young players a go, and they have repaid him. I was utterly sick of Moyes picking the same 12 regardless, paying lip service to the young players but never playing them even for a few minutes. Lop was a frigging joke of a manager. So let’s see if Ferguson, Scarles, Orford, Casey, Guillerme, Irving,and Todibo can sort it this season, gain experience, be joined later by the young left winger. Kudus is playing brainless at the mo, dribbling us into trouble in the wrong places and not composed. Soucek should be a sub for his height and goal threat. Let’s use the rest of this season to blood the young, Alvarez should be a sub, Rodriguez not at all.
For me I liked MOYES , he was the best , so what if we lose games of 5-0 … Arsene wenger lost 7-0 klopp lost 7-0 with Aston villa , and to be honest he made a miracle with the small squad that he has and limited budget … but the west ham fans are as bad as the owners , they are the same shot but different smell. Give me one coach who saved west ham twice from relegation , made us reach Europa league semi final and win the Europa conference league … MOYES biggest mistake , he should have left at a high. I don’t know what west ham fans want if it’s to win the league it’s mission. Impossible with the current owners , today we are 16th and above us are MAN UNITED… so I see POTTER like MOYES , we lost the season , and let’s plan for next year for a place in Europe or champions league , so stop the negativity on potter and let’s support him
Potter out! (Let me be the first.)
The club will never move on until the owners are replaced. Its a circus. I have had enough of it tbh.
Show less and less interest as they have destroyed our club.
Of course it’s their fault. Sullivan is always fumbling the ball when in goal, the Lady keeps missing from six yards and the Czech’s tackling leaves much to be desired.
I find the Ferguson scenario bemusing, to be honest.
For me, we’re just putting him in the shop window for a Man Utd or Chelsea to buy him for £60 odd mil if he’s successful. If he gets injured then it’s over, anyway.
Not sure on Potter, either, but not going to get on his case until he’s given a fair crack of the whip . Think a feeling of apathy has taken over with a lot of fans – as we know, massive rebuild in Summer so we live in hope……
I am giving Potter a chance which is more than i did for Lopetegui BUT I am not convinced he was ever the right man for the job my belief is he had been out of the game too long Had he been that good someone would have swooped him up
Amorim was good and someone, Man U, swooped him up. How’s that going?
I am certain he received plenty of offers, Annette, and managers are never ‘out of the game’ – they’re observing, analysing and waiting for the fit that best suits them. Glad you’re giving him a chance – it’s the very least any of us should be doing. It’s not the ‘chance’ that’s the issue, it’s the ‘patience’ we all need to provide.
Let’s face it, we’re now in pre-season for 2025/26 – we’re not going down, and it’ll simply be an opportunity for players to ensure they’re in his plans for next year. Just see every game as a learning curve.