Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[Diggs246]

Seems to be fourth choice striker at Brighton now, after Maupay, Wellbeck and Connolly, probably in that order.

Would definitely expect him to get more minutes for the senior team in the next round of the cup. Wouldn't be beyond possibility that he might make a Premier League bench before too long, especially as Wellbeck is injury prone. They may wait until after he turns 17 though, he will likely sign a new contract to tie him down at that point.

Fourth choice at his stage is an unbelievable achievement. He just needs to get cup game time and stay fit.

[Poor Student]

Seems to be fourth choice striker at Brighton now, after Maupay, Wellbeck and Connolly, probably in that order.

Would definitely expect him to get more minutes for the senior team in the next round of the cup. Wouldn't be beyond possibility that he might make a Premier League bench before too long, especially as Wellbeck is injury prone. They may wait until after he turns 17 though, he will likely sign a new contract to tie him down at that point.

Wouldn't he be making the bench in Connolly's absence today if he was 4th choice?

[Kingdom]

The above few posts concern me for different, but related, reasons.

1. I've seen the same montage of clips of Ev over the past 18 months as they've been posted as everyone else has. when the last 19s squad was announced I wondered why he wasn't in it. With no injury, that pointed to a 21s call-up, which I could understand given our difficulties in the position, his star being in the ascendancy. A sensible decision.
2. Having watched him in the flesh against Luxembourg, my initial gut reaction post-match was that it was too soon for him.* He's a physical specimen
3. Having watched him, and felt that 21s was too soon for him, if he's called up to the Brighton first team squad and gets onto the bench, or moreso, makes his debut, my gut reaction is that Brighton are ****ed. Because he'll be chewed up and spat out, quickly. **

There's no perverse pleasure in saying that. He seems like a really nice kid, with a father who knows the game, and the pitfalls and who seems sound enough himself. But if he was to make his debut or be part of their squad, and succeed, then that to me draws attention to something that should be of more concern to us here, and that is how a fella could look so out of his depth at the highest underage level, but then have the wherewithal to play for a Premier League side.

* fully aware, and commented on it in the match thread, that I didn't think Ferry had a good game outside him, and that we struggled to gain ground through the middle until Devoy started to tick. But the couple of times the ball did come to him, he didn't control it well, and the Lux cb managed him.

** also appreciate that with better players around him (possibly - it is Brighton though) that he could very easily fare better, but my overriding impression is that he's better running on to ball. Not sure that would be a runner (pun intended) at Brighton. I would absolutely be interested in seeing him go somewhere like MK Dons next season for a year to replace Parrott.

[Eirambler]

Played for Brighton Under 21s against Walsall in the Johnstone's Paint trophy or whatever it's called now. Seems to have played well up until Gary Dicker got himself sent off for Brighton, but quieter after they went down to 10. Apparently there were 19 scouts at the game, all there to see Ferguson. Brighton cannot tie him down to a long contract until his 17th birthday, so he might get a few offers.

[seanfhear]

Played for Brighton Under 21s against Walsall in the Johnstone's Paint trophy or whatever it's called now. Seems to have played well up until Gary Dicker got himself sent off for Brighton, but quieter after they went down to 10. Apparently there were 19 scouts at the game, all there to see Ferguson. Brighton cannot tie him down to a long contract until his 17th birthday, so he might get a few offers.
Did Dicker get himself sent off to go and frighten away the 19 scouts ? Clever management.

[SkStu]

A goal tonight for Evan in the EFL Trophy. More than a handful of tweets mentioning his readiness for the first team squad.

1455633807747555331

[Stuttgart88]

Amazing goal in grown-up football.

[tommy_c12000]

Nice goal
1455848743463489541

Although still underage football in reality. Northampton had several senior players unavailable so had a youth team out with a couple of seniors, including one 15 year old. Promising though, Evan just needs to keep going. Loan in January or stay with u23s and hope to be dipping his toes with seniors in new year? Only 17, so best he stays with Brighton for the year and is taken care of IMO

[Diggs246]

The size of the f**ker!! He is a monster for 17

[Olé Olé]

The mad thing about that goal is that he shows savage physicality to hold off and eventually pull away from the man. But he married it with an absolute peach of a finish. Physical, technical.

[ifk101]

Google says the Northampton chap he brushed off for the goal is a first-teamer, 11 years his senior. :-)

[seanfhear]

The mad thing about that goal is that he shows savage physicality to hold off and eventually pull away from the man. But he married it with an absolute peach of a finish. Physical, technical.
Knew where the Goal was and the Keeper and where to put the ball in the goal. Great Finish.

[seanfhear]

Was his birth cert filled out with the correct date ?

[JR89]

Was his birth cert filled out with the correct date ?

Must have been feed the best of spuds, and bacon and cabbage growing up. His father is down as being 6'3 and Evan is listed as 6ft. Whether that's true or not still has time to grow a bit more having just turned 17. Scott McTominay was 5'6 at 18 and had a ten inch growth spurt.

[tommy_c12000]

https://twitter.com/bhafreddie/status/1462883393880924169?s=21

Really nice goal in PL2 today, 10 minutes left still a goal down

[JR89]

Played left of a front three last. Will be interesting to see what Brighton do with him. Has 7 goals in 12 games with the U23s or 8 in 14 if you include the EFL trophy so far this season.

For comparison Connolly had 9 goals in 20 games the season he turned 18 which was his first full season at U23 level. Following season he had 19 goals in 20 games before going out on loan in January. That season he had 5 in 3 EFL games which included a hat trick against MK Dons.

This is technically Ferguson's second season at U23 level and only turned 17 a month ago. You'd think we'll see him in the first team at least once or twice again this season and possibly train more with the seniors.

[Insidetherock]

Wouldn't it be great to see him turn into a beast of a player.. one of those ones defenders just hate to see walk out onto the pitch

[liamoo11]

Played left of a front three last. Will be interesting to see what Brighton do with him. Has 7 goals in 12 games with the U23s or 8 in 14 if you include the EFL trophy so far this season.

For comparison Connolly had 9 goals in 20 games the season he turned 18 which was his first full season at U23 level. Following season he had 19 goals in 20 games before going out on loan in January. That season he had 5 in 3 EFL games which included a hat trick against MK Dons.

This is technically Ferguson's second season at U23 level and only turned 17 a month ago. You'd think we'll see him in the first team at least once or twice again this season and possibly train more with the seniors.

That's interesting they played him on the left side not central. That seems a good plan to keep developing him technically at such a young age

[JR89]

That's interesting they played him on the left side not central. That seems a good plan to keep developing him technically at such a young age

They've played him a couple of times at LW when himself and Tolaj have started. Interesting that he's not included in the U23s squad tonight, and unless he's picked up a knock he could be with the seniors who play Leeds at home tomorrow.

[liamoo11]

They've played him a couple of times at LW when himself and Tolaj have started. Interesting that he's not included in the U23s squad tonight, and unless he's picked up a knock he could be with the seniors who play Leeds at home tomorrow.

Interesting thank you. Would be nice reward for him to be involved in the aquad even if he does not make the bench .

[tommy_c12000]

No Ferguson or Connolly on bench. Duffy is on the bench though. Disappointing all round from an Irish perspective

[third policeman]

No Ferguson or Connolly on bench. Duffy is on the bench though. Disappointing all round from an Irish perspective

Disappointing that so many of our players are struggling for game time at the minute. Maybe it kind of works to our advantage in that they really want to make the most of the opportunity to play when selected for Ireland. Doherty and Hendrick have been outstanding for us despite very little club action.

[tetsujin1979]

Brighton manager Potter believes striker Ferguson has huge potential
https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/19751468.brighton-manager-potter-believes-striker-ferguson-huge-potential/

[tommy_c12000]

3 subs on now including Trossard for Wellbeck…still no Evan at 55 minutes gone

[tommy_c12000]

Evan is on with 15 minutes left, 1-0 down but playing against 10 men. Good opportunity. Potential for extra time too

[tommy_c12000]

An unintentional assist for Evan I guess…1-1 hopefully extra time for more minutes for him

[tommy_c12000]

So close from Ferguson to first goal, lobbed it onto roof of net

[tommy_c12000]

Offside tap in goal from Evan unfortunately. Brighton cruising at 2-1

[JR89]

One thing is for certain anyway, the lad definitely ate all his vegetables growing up because he's a unit for someone that turned 17 just over two months ago.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Jackie Charlton would say the same when he met Niall Quinn for the first time " he doesnt look like a footballer" skinny legs too tal etc. It seems the irish have found their new ginger Niall Quinn

[tommy_c12000]

Did ok. Won’t have a easier introduction than that. Hopefully he will see more game time as season progresses. Good talent

[tetsujin1979]

Ferguson starting up front for Brighton's U23 side, with James Furlong in defence. Ferguson seems to be playing left wing
I know he's big for his age, but he seems to be a head taller than everyone else on the pitch

Paul McShane named among the substitutes for United
Live on Brighton's YouTube channel
KyJJOmp6tZM

[paul_oshea]

Has just come on for brighton

[tetsujin1979]

third youngest Irish player to appear in the Premier League
1495087767046529026

[tommy_c12000]

How did he do? Potter managing his minutes well between 18s, 23s and seniors. A slow and cautious project. Hopefully he continues to develop nicely

[pineapple stu]

That's... not the top five I was expecting!

[tetsujin1979]

That's... not the top five I was expecting!
Challenge for you Stu
1495102615558012929

[pineapple stu]

Well I'm going to try a few guesses from the WhatsApp when I put this exact question to them...

Robbie Keane
Ian Harte
Gary Kelly
Stephen McPhail

[tetsujin1979]

Nope, none of them.
Keane was 19
Harte was 18
Kelly was 19
McPhail was 18

[seanfhear]

Andy Turner.

[tetsujin1979]

Andy Turner.
Turner is on the list above, I'm looking for the other four

[sidewayspasser]

Troy Parrott?

[seanfhear]

Partridge.

[samhaydenjr]

Obafemi. Is he also our youngest EPL goalscorer?

[tetsujin1979]

Parrott and Obafemi are correct.
Turner is actually the youngest goalscorer

[samhaydenjr]

Parrott and Obafemi are correct.
Turner is actually the youngest goalscorer

Thanks Tets. For a moment I thought you would be sneaky and include Declan Rice, but he was 18 on his debut

[Paddy Garcia]

Is it Boland? Or have we already found them all!

I remember him with Sheridan at Coventry & for a fleeting moment it looked like we had the midfield sorted for the next 10 years.

[tetsujin1979]

Boland is correct, there's one more
Made his debut with Blackburn and is still playing, but not with Blackburn

[gally]

Aaron Doran?

[tetsujin1979]

Aaron Doran?
Correct! All nine Irish players to play in the Premier League at 17 named - Carr, Dunne, Ferguson, Turner, Maybury, Parrott, Obafemi, Boland, and Doran