Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

[Razors left peg]

Part of the problem for Ferguson will be his wages, and it was likely an issue in January too. Clubs that would start him every week can't afford him, clubs that can afford him are ones where he'll have a lot of competition for his place.

Just looking at January - the main options seemed to be staying at Brighton (which I think we'd all have been disappointed with at the time), going to Leverkusen where he'd have been competing with Schick and Boniface and probably again wouldn't have played, or going to West Ham who had a striker shortage for February and March. I can see why his advisors might have looked at those options and picked West Ham.

I can see the same issue coming up in the summer - what club will be able to afford to pay 50k+ a week for a 20 year old who hasn't done anything of note for 18 months and will take him as a starting striker? Ferguson can't easily go the Parrott route, he's simply out of range for the likes of Excelsior or AZ.

My ideal scenario is one Ive said before, Sporting Lisbon. They will be selling Goykeres, Harder is the back up there and is young but hes not on Fergusons level. I could see another season long loan happening

[Jolly Red Giant]

Part of the problem for Ferguson will be his wages, and it was likely an issue in January too. Clubs that would start him every week can't afford him, clubs that can afford him are ones where he'll have a lot of competition for his place.

Just looking at January - the main options seemed to be staying at Brighton (which I think we'd all have been disappointed with at the time), going to Leverkusen where he'd have been competing with Schick and Boniface and probably again wouldn't have played, or going to West Ham who had a striker shortage for February and March. I can see why his advisors might have looked at those options and picked West Ham.

I can see the same issue coming up in the summer - what club will be able to afford to pay 50k+ a week for a 20 year old who hasn't done anything of note for 18 months and will take him as a starting striker? Ferguson can't easily go the Parrott route, he's simply out of range for the likes of Excelsior or AZ.
Ferguson is reported to be on £30K a week - not remotely outlandish for a striker in the PL. West Ham were reputed to have paid £4m loan fee and cover his wages for the five month loan.

Personally I think that Ferguson is ideally suited for the PL - but he needs to be in a team that utilises his ability. He needs to be playing as a number 9 with people playing through balls he can run onto. He is excellent at receiving the ball on the half turn in the channels and turning looking to shoot. He is very good at adjusting to the flight of the ball and is agile enough to take advantage of it. He is also very good at pressing high up the pitch and if others join him in the press it can be very effective. He is also very good with his head. He needs to be played in that forward role - either as a lone striker or with another playing off him. Outside of the PL I would pick either Italy or Germany - but if Brighton sell Pedro (which is distinctly possible) - then it is likely that Ferguson will replace him in the Brighton team.

[Olé Olé]

Fullkrug on ahead of Ferguson there for West Ham at HT and scores. Big few months ahead.

[Eirambler]

More likely a quiet few months I'd suggest. Finish out the season, have a break, then get a good pre-season and hopefully come back stronger next year. In a way I'd understand if he asked to skip the June internationals to get a proper break ahead of what will be a big pre-season for him.

[Razors left peg]

Would the rules allow him to play for Brighton if his loan was canceled? Seems pointless hanging around at West Ham now

[rebelmusic]

Would need to be a mutual agreement and I'd imagine Brighton are happy to have his wages being paid elsewhere. It's Q4 for football clubs so they'll save money wherever they can for the summer window.

I'd agree with ER. This season is done. Even if he gets a goal at some random point between now and mid-may this loan has been a disaster.

[Olé Olé]

If he doesn't come on here he will have played 159mins in 11 games for West Ham and none in the last 3. This is turning out rather pointless.

[rebelmusic]

If he doesn't come on here he will have played 159mins in 11 games for West Ham and none in the last 3. This is turning out rather pointless.

Looks like he's not coming on. Soooo frustrating. I can only imagine how he feels himself

[Olé Olé]

Looks like he's not coming on. Soooo frustrating. I can only imagine how he feels himself
Came on on 86mins.

[Eirambler]

And, while it was hopefully nothing to do with him, they managed to concede a late equaliser to - of all teams - Southampton while he was on the field.

[rebelmusic]

And, while it was hopefully nothing to do with him, they managed to concede a late equaliser to - of all teams - Southampton while he was on the field.

He was the first player passed on the run into the goal. I don't blame him, but he looked like he couldn't be bothered while he was on

[Eirambler]

https://www.footballinsider247.com/david-moyes-backs-himself-to-transform-evan-fergusons-career-at-everton/

Pete O'Rourke tends to be one of the more respectable transfer reporters out there.

[OMTY]

Brighton's win last night means they are in pole position to qualify for Conference league next year if Chelsea do the expected and win it out this year. Ferguson could be kept around for squad depth in that case.

[Eirambler]

For some reason Chelsea also have to finish exactly 7th in the league for 8th to get the European spot. I have no idea why they have to finish 7th specifically, but apparently they do.

[seanfhear]

For some reason Chelsea also have to finish exactly 7th in the league for 8th to get the European spot. I have no idea why they have to finish 7th specifically, but apparently they do.
It's getting more and more like the Eurovision Song Contest every year ~ ~ How many English teams get in to Europe now ? ( one way or another )

Mind you for all sorts of political reasons, the Uk can't win the, Eurovision Song Contest ~ ~ Europe seems to be happy enough to have a rake of English teams in European competitions ~ ~ The English teams must be good money-spinners all the same !

[elatedscum]

For some reason Chelsea also have to finish exactly 7th in the league for 8th to get the European spot. I have no idea why they have to finish 7th specifically, but apparently they do.

Premier League has to have one team in the tournament. With Palace winning the cup, they take the Europa league slot and Conference moves from 8th (if city had won) to 7th. If Forest or whoever finish 7th, they get the place. However if Chelsea come 7th - they qualify. But if they also win the tournament, they also qualify for the Europa league which is a higher tournament, this means England wouldn’t have a representative in the conference league, so the 8th team gets it instead.

[Eirambler]

Not on the West Ham bench today as a sorry loan spell comes to an end.

[rebelmusic]

Something really stinks about this whole loan deal. I don't think anyone could argue that he was given a chance to make an impact. I read that Brighton are fuming about it and West Ham are unlikely to get any loan deals from them again anytime soon. Which is a bit cracked considering they have one of the best academies in the UK.

Really hope he gets a decent move somewhere that he's valued during the summer. And that he treats pre-season with all the priority that it needs.

[Eirambler]

I have to say, based on what I've seen of him this season, I wouldn't have picked him any more often than West Ham did. He has looked well off his best when he has played, including for Ireland - despite the goal against Bulgaria.

West Ham clearly signed him to cover a short term injury situation, once the situation was over he was surplus to requirements. Unless he made a big early impression that was always how it was likely to be. If Brighton didn't want that, they shouldn't have loaned him there.