Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[Razors left peg]

Ferguson is not nearly as good as people are making him out to be.

Couldnt disagree more, but we'll see

[elatedscum]

Joao Pedro is much more of an attacking threat than Evan

Not based on Saturday. Different players but JP is nowhere near as dangerous as Evan.

[Eirambler]

Ferguson is not nearly as good as people are making him out to be. Bags of potential for an 18 year old for sure, but still not even the best striker at Brighton. Joao Pedro is much more of an attacking threat than Evan, Wellbeck has probably won the duel between himself and Ferguson over last 15 games and Adringa is arguably an equally good prospect right now.

I don't think this true at all. There's a reason the hype around Ferguson extends far beyond just Brighton and Ireland supporters. Adringa and Enciso are excellent talents, but they're just not in Ferguson's league - he seems to have the lot, power, pace, all round play, natural finisher. I don't think there's anything like him in terms of teenagers in world football at the moment - plenty of exciting young wingers and support forwards out there, but nothing close in terms of a pure centre forward like Ferguson.

[SkStu]

Couldnt disagree more, but we'll see

It’s the strangest take I’ve seen anywhere in a long time. How can you not get legitimately excited about how good he already is at 18 and how much better he can get.

[Olé Olé]

Ferguson is not nearly as good as people are making him out to be. Bags of potential for an 18 year old for sure, but still not even the best striker at Brighton. Joao Pedro is much more of an attacking threat than Evan, Wellbeck has probably won the duel between himself and Ferguson over last 15 games and Adringa is arguably an equally good prospect right now.
Yeah, it's pure green tinted glasses. Oh wait...

[Razors left peg]

It’s the strangest take I’ve seen anywhere in a long time. How can you not get legitimately excited about how good he already is at 18 and how much better he can get.

Its just a fella being contrarian for the sake of it. Wants to be able to say he was the only one who could see what others couldn't on the off chance. As you said if you can't get excited as an Irish fan then what's the point

[Eirambler]

Suspect there might be some supporters of Irish clubs other than Bohs who might have reason to hope that he isn't all that, given that the size and potential impact of his sell-on clause has been discussed quite a bit on social media in the last couple of days.

[Razors left peg]

Suspect there might be some supporters of Irish clubs other than Bohs who might have reason to hope that he isn't all that, given that the size and potential impact of his sell-on clause has been discussed quite a bit on social media in the last couple of days.

Stupid if that's the case. It is funny though, almost every Irish pundit you hear says something like "you don't want to build him up too much, but....". It's ok lads, we've had world class players before, it isn't new. You're allowed to say it's impressive what an 18 year old is doing in one of worlds best leagues. We've been over exited about potential in players before, this isn't potential, its seeing what's being done on the pitch and realizing it's really good

[JR89]

I don't think this true at all. There's a reason the hype around Ferguson extends far beyond just Brighton and Ireland supporters. Adringa and Enciso are excellent talents, but they're just not in Ferguson's league - he seems to have the lot, power, pace, all round play, natural finisher. I don't think there's anything like him in terms of teenagers in world football at the moment - plenty of exciting young wingers and support forwards out there, but nothing close in terms of a pure centre forward like Ferguson.

The lads on match of the day were gushing about him and Ian Wright is a big fan of the lad too.

[mark12345]

It’s the strangest take I’ve seen anywhere in a long time. How can you not get legitimately excited about how good he already is at 18 and how much better he can get.

He's got potential no doubt about it but he needs to work on first touch. But he's facing massive competition within his own club now and needs to produce goals. If he becomes a 20 plus goalscorer all the power to him

[gastric]

In basically a 10 minute spell at the weekend, hit the post with a great individual effort and then read the play beautifully to score a poacher's goal. As an 18 year old, he will be played sparingly, but is the real deal!

[ontheotherhand]

Stupid if that's the case. It is funny though, almost every Irish pundit you hear says something like "you don't want to build him up too much, but....". It's ok lads, we've had world class players before, it isn't new. You're allowed to say it's impressive what an 18 year old is doing in one of worlds best leagues. We've been over exited about potential in players before, this isn't potential, its seeing what's being done on the pitch and realizing it's really good

Not really. Some of us prefer our league teams more than the national team and Ferguson's sell on clause would be a massive lift for bohs which would be tough to take.

I agree with everything else though. The kids on course to be something special. Not sure he will deliver as much for Ireland given the lack of creativity behind him but he should go very far in club football. Which makes it harder to take to be honest........

[Razors left peg]

I can't understand that mentality at all tbh. The league needs as much of that to happen as possible for it to grow. Rovers got money from Bazunu, hopefully Pats get massive money from Melia some day. There needs to be much more of it for the league to get to levels we all want it to be.

[ontheotherhand]

I can't understand that mentality at all tbh. The league needs as much of that to happen as possible for it to grow. Rovers got money from Bazunu, hopefully Pats get massive money from Melia some day. There needs to be much more of it for the league to get to levels we all want it to be.


There isn't a single bohs or pats supporter who was happy we got money for Bazunu and there won't be a happy bohs or rovers supporter if Pats get mad money for Melia. Neutral LoI fans might exist somewhere but I'd hazard a guess they don't own season tickets or memberships.

[Razors left peg]

There isn't a single bohs or pats supporter who was happy we got money for Bazunu and there won't be a happy bohs or rovers supporter if Pats get mad money for Melia. Neutral LoI fans might exist somewhere but I'd hazard a guess they don't own season tickets or memberships.
I'm a Galway United fan who pays membership even though I haven't been to Ireland in 5 years. I watch most weeks on LOI TV and I only see it as a good thing when money invested back into league.

[ontheotherhand]

I'm a Galway United fan who pays membership Eben though I haven't been to Ireland in 5 years. I watch most weeks on LOI TV and I only see it as a good think when money invested back into league.

Fair play. I don't see you on the LoI side of the forum so I might have assumed you were more of a general well wisher. Everyone wants investment but when you're competing for a small pool of players and for trophies it's hard to get excited about a rival club getting a huge windfall all at once. As charitable as bohs are now I don't think they are going to pump the money back into the LoI as a whole.

[Razors left peg]

It's not about Bohs specifically reinvesting money back in to help other clubs, it's about building themselves as a club and others to do the same with players they sell. If Bohs are investing in players and making Champions League group stages on the back of a Ferguson windfall that helps the league as a whole from an image point of view. Other teams can piggy back that if it's done right. You'd also hope there's more money to reinvest back into youth players to get the next Ferguson. That cycle has to be continuous for the league to grow, and hopefully someday we are picking players for international team who can legitimately be playing at a high enough level in LOI.

There's far too much parochial thinking in LOI sometimes that stunts its growth (part of the reason I don't post on LOI section much). It's fine to not want rival team to do well, it's great having a rivalry that generates atmosphere in grounds, but the league needs a collective working together to grow enough where it's a viable professional league that can attract more fans and better players

[ontheotherhand]

Do you really think bohs could get into the champions league group stages with a windfall of 10m? Jesus you're making it sound even worse now. Hope Ferguson quits the game.

[elatedscum]

Neutral LoI fans might exist somewhere but I'd hazard a guess they don't own season tickets or memberships.

raises hand

[pineapple stu]

Do you really think bohs could get into the champions league group stages with a windfall of 10m? Jesus you're making it sound even worse now. Hope Ferguson quits the game.
I think the structural problems in Irish football are too big for ten mill to be a quick CL group stage fix unfortunately

[SkStu]

It’s not. And I don’t think it would be used that way anyway. Given how Bohs is being run now, I think there’d be an increase to the playing budget but not in a way that chases the CL dream anyway. Look at how the Doherty money was used (was it about €1.8M?) and redirected into facilities and infrastructure instead of an automatic move to pro or a significant increase to the playing budget. I think there would be a similar philosophy behind any future Ferguson money, just a different proportion.

I think most fans see the bigger picture on this stuff but you can’t help but be a bit jealous when it’s your close competitors or rivals. Well wishing is definitely a step too far. ;)

[Eirambler]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

[Diggs246]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

Weren't Rovers getting something hysterical off man city every time Bazunu got an international cap?

[Eirambler]

Weren't Rovers getting something hysterical off man city every time Bazunu got an international cap?

50k a cap for the first 10 caps I think. Pocket money compared to this.

[mark12345]

In basically a 10 minute spell at the weekend, hit the post with a great individual effort and then read the play beautifully to score a poacher's goal. As an 18 year old, he will be played sparingly, but is the real deal!

Agreed. Very good return last Saturday for so few minutes. And the goal he scored was essentially worth 2 to him, one beside his name and one less beside Adringas name. Adringa had a basic tap in if Evan didn't get there. But Ferguson has to keep up his goalscoring rate. Competition among strikers as DeZerbi said is intense. After last Saturday Wellbeck is in the dog house but it can and will be Ferguson on any given week

[SkStu]

Just for what it's worth, if Ferguson was sold by Brighton for £120 million (which at this point seems entirely plausible), and if Bohemians have a 15% sell on clause as has been suggested, that's actually £18 million for Bohs. Which is €21 million.

I don't support a League of Ireland team, but I think it would be absolutely fascinating as a neutral to see how that would play out.

I’m 99% certain it’s 10% sell-on. So at £100-£120m it would be about €11.5-£14m. Not chump change.

[ontheotherhand]

50k a cap for the first 10 caps I think. Pocket money compared to this.

More like 100k. Only for the first 10 caps though. Nothing compared to what bohs could make.

[ontheotherhand]

It’s not. And I don’t think it would be used that way anyway. Given how Bohs is being run now, I think there’d be an increase to the playing budget but not in a way that chases the CL dream anyway. Look at how the Doherty money was used (was it about €1.8M?) and redirected into facilities and infrastructure instead of an automatic move to pro or a significant increase to the playing budget. I think there would be a similar philosophy behind any future Ferguson money, just a different proportion.

I think most fans see the bigger picture on this stuff but you can’t help but be a bit jealous when it’s your close competitors or rivals. Well wishing is definitely a step too far. ;)

What was the Doherty money used for Stu? Did you put it into the DCU training ground?

I could see you raising the playing budget in terms of tying down players like McManus and Afolabi, offering longer terms deals and higher wages etc but yeah I'd guess bohs would put most back into other areas. Either way it should get you a few leagues depending on how much Derry and Shels decide to spend. Anything you get from Ferguson is still chump change compared to what their owners might spend.

[Razors left peg]

Do you really think bohs could get into the champions league group stages with a windfall of 10m? Jesus you're making it sound even worse now. Hope Ferguson quits the game.

We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it

[ontheotherhand]

We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it

Of course we want that, generally speaking. Just not for bohs. Fair play to you and the neutrals who just want what's best for the league.

On transfer fees I'll be happier when we start getting paid a players full value on a regular basis and stop losing players for free. Freaks like Bazunu and Ferguson aren't something to plan long term league growth around for me. Selling a few players for 500k+ every season is more realistic. Both would be lovely.

That said bohs did do well for getting him on a pro deal with the clause in there and we all need to make sure that is the norm. I won't take my hat off to them but I'll slightly touch it in their general direction.

[Razors left peg]

Of course we want that, generally speaking. Just not for bohs. Fair play to you and the neutrals who just want what's best for the league.

On transfer fees I'll be happier when we start getting paid a players full value on a regular basis and stop losing players for free. Freaks like Bazunu and Ferguson aren't something to plan long term league growth around for me. Selling a few players for 500k+ every season is more realistic. Both would be lovely.

That said bohs did do well for getting him on a pro deal with the clause in there and we all need to make sure that is the norm. I won't take my hat off to them but I'll slightly touch it in their general direction.

"Neutrals" wanting whats best for the league is the only thing that will help the league grow. The problem is that there are too many people in charge of clubs who have a narrow view about whats best for their small corner of the world. Football rivalries are great, I love that you have such a passion for your club and I wish there was much more of that in the country... but we'll never get it to that point with attitudes being like that to start with.

I agree we need to get to the point where we need to be regularly selling players for decent fees. That will happen when theres better players in the league though, and to get those better players investment needs to happen in structures and then having players on longer contracts. Then these players need to perform in Europe to get a higher profile and have teams wanting to sign them. This season has been awful for our teams in europe and we seem further away than ever in terms of competing. When clubs do make money it needs to be filtered back into the club in the right way. What do Dundalk have to show for the money they made from Europe under Kenny? It seems like it was all p1ssed away, that sort of amateurish crap needs to stop.

Anyway, this is a discussion that could continue to go around in circles. Im genuinely surprised that there are Ireland fans that would rather Evan Ferguson didnt make it as a top player in order to stop their local rivals getting money, but maybe its my distance from it that causes my surprise. I was in Terryland in a pram before I could walk. Travelled to every away game with my dad from a young age. Season ticket holder forever and I have family still involved there, and yet if Athlone Town or Sligo ever had an Evan Ferguson situation it would never cross my mind to hope it didnt happen.

[Eirambler]

It's the old I'd rather Bohs/Pat's/Rovers/whoever win a corner than Ireland win the World Cup mentality. I think it contributes to the level of continued support for Stephen Kenny from some quarters - people still singing songs about him at games etc. These people don't care about the national team anywhere near as much as they do their club team, so they're not actually that bothered whether we're winning games or not.

[ontheotherhand]

It's the old I'd rather Bohs/Pat's/Rovers/whoever win a corner than Ireland win the World Cup mentality. I think it contributes to the level of continued support for Stephen Kenny from some quarters - people still singing songs about him at games etc. These people don't care about the national team anywhere near as much as they do their club team, so they're not actually that bothered whether we're winning games or not.

You genuinely think there are LoI supporters who don't care about the national team forking out for those tickets just to sing for Stephen Kenny? I'd love to meet some of these people.

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Anyway, To Razor, my point was more that it shouldn't surprise people that there are mixed feelings about Evan getting a big move. I'd be delighted if it was Galway getting the money!

[Eirambler]

You genuinely think there are LoI supporters who don't care about the national team forking out for those tickets just to sing for Stephen Kenny? I'd love to meet some of these people.

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Anyway, To Razor, my point was more that it shouldn't surprise people that there are mixed feelings about Evan getting a big move. I'd be delighted if it was Galway getting the money!

Like I said, they care, just they care a lot less than they care about their club team.

[Jolly Red Giant]

What was the Doherty money used for Stu? Did you put it into the DCU training ground?

I could see you raising the playing budget in terms of tying down players like McManus and Afolabi, offering longer terms deals and higher wages etc but yeah I'd guess bohs would put most back into other areas. Either way it should get you a few leagues depending on how much Derry and Shels decide to spend. Anything you get from Ferguson is still chump change compared to what their owners might spend.
I would assume that the priority for Bohs at this stage is to increase the capacity at Dalymount Park - increased capacity would mean bigger crowds, more revenue across several revenue streams etc.


We've had clubs in group stages of Europa League so yes we do eventually want our clubs to make group stages of Champions League and that'll only happen if money generated from transfers gets filtered back in. Government money isn't going to do it
Transfer fees are helpful - but more people through the turnstile is the most sustain able way of pushing a club forward.

[ontheotherhand]

I would assume that the priority for Bohs at this stage is to increase the capacity at Dalymount Park - increased capacity would mean bigger crowds, more revenue across several revenue streams etc.


Transfer fees are helpful - but more people through the turnstile is the most sustain able way of pushing a club forward.

Yes but they are getting money from DCC/the government for that so the Ferguson money, if/when it arrives can go elsewhere. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to be capped at 8000 so it's not a huge increase. More of a rebuild than an expansion.

I suppose they might use some of the money to build more Mono stands if it arrived in the short term.

Maybe Stu or someone else can correct me/advise us there.

[Jolly Red Giant]

I'll be delighted if Evan has a phenomenal career. Ideally at Brighton.

Brighton operate on the basis of setting a fee they will accept for a player and then selling the player when the bid hits that limit. The limit for Caicedo was £100m - which is why they rejected bids from Chelsea of £80m. Liverpool came in at the last minute and put up the price to Brighton's benefit. Ferguson has a five year contract at Brighton and the only prospect of him staying there after that is if they are consistently top six for 3/4 seasons - which I don't think will happen. I suspect that they have probably put a number of £100m on Ferguson and if a club was to come in next summer - or more likely the summer after - and offer their set fee they could very well accept it. While all the club owners in the PL have a lot of money - Bloom is towards the bottom of that rich list and they need to sell for big money to be able to keep the club sustainable in the PL (they will need to spend £80m-£100m a year on transfers just to stand still - they have spent about £70m this season so far on three players along with getting Milner and Dahoud as FAs - they have taken in £170m but that is unusual in part because they have fleeced Chelsea for about £250m in the last two seasons).

[Jolly Red Giant]

Yes but they are getting money from DCC/the government for that so the Ferguson money, if/when it arrives can go elsewhere. Unfortunately it looks like it's going to be capped at 8000 so it's not a huge increase. More of a rebuild than an expansion.

That has been a long time in the works and still no sign of it.

And - there have been different capacities mentioned over the past number of years - 6,000 - 8,000 - 10,000 - 11,000 - 12,000 - and the club really should push for maximising the capacity.

Dublin - given its population - can sustain four big clubs (Rovers, Bohs, Pats and Shels) and they should target combined attendances of at least 40,000 between them - which would be about half or even less what clubs in England would generate. Cork City should be getting a similar number - Dundalk & Drogheda 5,000 - Limerick 7,000 - Derry should get 10,000 but the sectarian divide would drop that to about 7,000 - Sligo is the only PD team that is actually hitting where they should be. Most of the first division teams should be hitting double what they get.

Now - I get it that there is other sporting competition - but I have taken that into account and they are way below the numbers attending games 60 years ago - it is sheer incompetence from the FAI and the LOI over not just years but decades that has seen the attendances far below where they should be.

[tetsujin1979]

7,000 at a Treaty United game would be unlikely.
When you think Munster can get 25,000 into Thomond park, with fans coming from the six counties of the province, 7,000 is slightly more than a third of that, and from only one county.

[ontheotherhand]

That has been a long time in the works and still no sign of it.

And - there have been different capacities mentioned over the past number of years - 6,000 - 8,000 - 10,000 - 11,000 - 12,000 - and the club really should push for maximising the capacity.

Dublin - given its population - can sustain four big clubs (Rovers, Bohs, Pats and Shels) and they should target combined attendances of at least 40,000 between them - which would be about half or even less what clubs in England would generate. Cork City should be getting a similar number - Dundalk & Drogheda 5,000 - Limerick 7,000 - Derry should get 10,000 but the sectarian divide would drop that to about 7,000 - Sligo is the only PD team that is actually hitting where they should be. Most of the first division teams should be hitting double what they get.

Now - I get it that there is other sporting competition - but I have taken that into account and they are way below the numbers attending games 60 years ago - it is sheer incompetence from the FAI and the LOI over not just years but decades that has seen the attendances far below where they should be.


Grand so.

Crowds are on the up for the past few seasons. Just need more people to get up off their couches and go.

[mark12345]

Lo and behold, Tottenham are this morning reportedly contemplating a massive bid for Evan Ferguson.

[pineapple stu]

That'd almost be a step down at the moment

[CraftyToePoke]

Jury definitely out on Spurs at the moment and a genetically weak club traditionally at the best of times.

This is great lads, Spurs aren't good enough, should aim higher, when a few years ago the howling on here when MON wouldn't pick Seanie Maguire at Cork.

[Diggs246]

That has been a long time in the works and still no sign of it.

And - there have been different capacities mentioned over the past number of years - 6,000 - 8,000 - 10,000 - 11,000 - 12,000 - and the club really should push for maximising the capacity.

Dublin - given its population - can sustain four big clubs (Rovers, Bohs, Pats and Shels) and they should target combined attendances of at least 40,000 between them - which would be about half or even less what clubs in England would generate. Cork City should be getting a similar number - Dundalk & Drogheda 5,000 - Limerick 7,000 - Derry should get 10,000 but the sectarian divide would drop that to about 7,000 - Sligo is the only PD team that is actually hitting where they should be. Most of the first division teams should be hitting double what they get.

Now - I get it that there is other sporting competition - but I have taken that into account and they are way below the numbers attending games 60 years ago - it is sheer incompetence from the FAI and the LOI over not just years but decades that has seen the attendances far below where they should be.


Lo and behold, Tottenham are this morning reportedly contemplating a massive bid for Evan Ferguson.

Do u have a link for that?
I have to say please please stay put lad. You are doing brilliant if it isn't broken don't fix it

[pineapple stu]

It's in the Mirror online anyway

[Razors left peg]

I think Brighton wont sell this summer, but their whole business model is based on selling the likes of Ferguson who they get cheap or free, (Im surprised they not had more bid for Mitoma this summer as a side note) so if an offer comes in thats in excess of the Caicedo fee they will accept it and it'll be up to Ferguson to decide whether to stay or go. I think he'll stay for this season but move on next year. I know hes young but injuries can change a career in a second so with the money he will make from a move he will have to sooner rather than later.

[seanfhear]

It's only Spurs lads.

[JR89]

Nominated for PFA Young Player of the Year.

1692100331159580957

[Olé Olé]

Illustrious company. And he is 3 years younger than the next youngest nominees - Saka and Caicedo turn 22 around the time that Ferguson turns 19....

Caicedo - 21
Haaland - 23
Saka - 21
Ramsey - 22
Martinelli - 22
Ferguson - 18

[elatedscum]

Did they forget to do it this year? Winner is normally announced in June