Evan Ferguson F Roma (loan from Brighton) b.2004

[irishfan86]

Now three points back of the league leaders. If I were him I’d be pushing to stay and push for a place in a potentially title winning team. I know it hasn’t been perfect but sometimes chances like these don’t come for a long time again.

[liamoo11]

Now three points back of the league leaders. If I were him I’d be pushing to stay and push for a place in a potentially title winning team. I know it hasn’t been perfect but sometimes chances like these don’t come for a long time again.

I agree. What's the alternative? Going back to Brighton even if he played all the time is a backward step now to a middle of the road side who are a tiny club compared to the likes of Roma. Brighton certainly won't be challenging for any trophies like Roma are. It woukd be soul destroying I think.as well to go back to playing in front of the likes of Brighton fans compared to the passion and expectations of the Roma fans.

[tetsujin1979]

Not that he didn't play well, but the poll may have been somewhat rigged
2000886419078730229

[liamoo11]

Not that he didn't play well, but the poll may have been somewhat rigged
2000886419078730229

Did well again tonight when he came on , was a threat and looks comfortable at that level.

[Eirambler]

Gasperini does not agree:

"Finally, he explained why he chose to leave Evan Ferguson on the bench: “Ferguson isn’t convincing me. Even in the second half, for a long time. He hasn’t quite got into the swing of things yet, along with others. But we have a very solid team. Dybala and Soulé were served very well and have superior technical quality. I would make the same decisions again.”

Shortly afterward, he emphasized the need to strengthen the attack in January on Dazn: “Whoever started the game is who I think is doing best. It’s clear that Roma is currently trying to improve and strengthen themselves in that area of the pitch.”

https://romapress.net/gasperini-blasts-ferguson-after-juve-loss-im-not-convinced-by-him-and-some-other-signings/

[rebelmusic]

Back to Brighton almost a foregone conclusion at this point? Chance he might get loaned out to a lower league? Might be the best thing for him at this stage.

[Strongbow10]

That's fairly damning. Gaspirini is a top coach. Doesn't rate him technically, and for his size he's capable of being the lone striker who can make the ball stick.

Anyone else of the opinion that he was a physically well developed kid who took his chance early in the men's game but was simply found out owing to his lack of even good technical ability (never mind elite)?

[irishfan86]

That's fairly damning. Gaspirini is a top coach. Doesn't rate him technically, and for his size he's capable of being the lone striker who can make the ball stick.

Anyone else of the opinion that he was a physically well developed kid who took his chance early in the men's game but was simply found out owing to his lack of even good technical ability (never mind elite)?

Seems like many managers view him as a target man but if I was to describe him it would be more like a poacher. He’s an excellent finisher but his all round play has been very slow to come around. He has matches where he shows good hold up play but too often gives the ball away easily. Still very young for the level he’s playing and the injuries haven’t helped but would be nice for him to be coached by a top target man at some point to round out his game because clearly whatever he has been taught to date hasn’t been optimizing the stuff other than finishing.

[elatedscum]

I actually think overall technically he’s very good. Like his link up play is generally really intelligent - he plays a first touch pass around the corner or back with his back to the defender all the time. His passing overall is really good, along with his heading and his use of his body. And he can shoot with both feet.

You could say that he’s a bit clunky when running and not the smoothest of dribblers and his touch can at times be heavy and it all looks a bit robotic.

[texidub]

Agreed on his technical ability - great touch, IMO. The one thing I don't like is that he seems very quick to moan at team mates if they misplace a pass or whatever... I can understand frustration but not crazy about that whiny streak.. maybe he's not a great team player?

[Eirambler]

That's fairly damning. Gaspirini is a top coach. Doesn't rate him technically, and for his size he's capable of being the lone striker who can make the ball stick.

Anyone else of the opinion that he was a physically well developed kid who took his chance early in the men's game but was simply found out owing to his lack of even good technical ability (never mind elite)?

There's an element of truth in it, as he was a big kid and that did definitely help him, but it's an oversimplification I think. He's technically pretty decent from what I can see. He can take a chance when he gets it too. So he has a lot going for him.

It's the footballing intelligence side of it that's not there for me. Making runs, finding space, that kind of thing. He's too easy to mark out of the game. That can hopefully be taught, but it requires someone to teach him. I had hoped Gasperini might be the man, but it looks like that's not how it's going to work out.

[Joxerbrowne]

Sounds like Gasperinni lost the plot after Capello questioned him about why he dropped Evan. Bit OTT the response as he was clearly angry at Capello. Sure Evan was the reason they got the goal and before that they didnt have a sniff.

[rebelmusic]

Grabbed an assist so far tonight. Hopefully puts in a good shift to either stay on at Roma or put himself in the shop window for the right club

[SkStu]

Goal and assist. Scrappy. But they all count.

https://x.com/GoalpostX/status/2005735522308600022?s=20%20

[liamoo11]

Goal and assist. Scrappy. But they all count.

https://x.com/GoalpostX/status/2005735522308600022?s=20%20

Had a good shot esrky on as well that keeper made good save from. Didn't hold the ball up that well and still.looks luke he needs to get his running ability better seems to really lack aerobic stamina so looks like he isn't working hard . Still a far far better first half to the season than his whole last season. Brighton is a mess at the moment going nowhere so fanfor him.to.have had this time with a team battling at the top.of the table

[Fixer82]

Man of the match all the same

[Eirambler]

Linked with a loan to Real Betis if he gets sent packing by Roma. No idea whether the source is credible or not though.

https://www.football-espana.net/2026/01/01/real-betis-january-move-brighton

[tetsujin1979]

They're in the Europa league this season, and are currently sixth in the table, so he'd be cup tied for their European games after playing in the same competition for Roma

[irishfan86]

Withdrawn on the hour mark with Roma down 1-0. Had a good look at goal in the first half but a heavy touch meant he had to pass the ball back, neutralizing the attack.

Second half, forced the keeper into a good save with a very acrobatic play where he juggled the ball, held off his defender and spun to kick at close range — one of those flashes that shows his elite quality.

In terms of hold up play, some good moments mixed with frustrating touches. Will be curious to see what happens next — commentator on feed I was watching mentioned Italian papers are reporting he is heading back to Brighton this month.

[tetsujin1979]

Meant to post this earlier, from the argus(local paper in Brighton)
https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/25737332.evan-ferguson-very-unlikely-return-early-roma-loan

Asked about a possible return for Ferguson this month, Barber(Brighton Chief executive) replied: “It’s very unlikely, I would say.

“We don’t have that option. If he were to come back it would be because for whatever reason the club who has him at the moment doesn’t need him

“At the moment I would think it is very unlikely.

[tetsujin1979]

Shot cleared off the line and a header into a turn and shot for Ferguson in the highlights
j-yM1ugB6lA

[rebelmusic]

That would have been some goal (around 1:50)

[CraftyToePoke]

Starts v Lecce. 5pm KO.

[tetsujin1979]

Game is on DAZN.
Corrie Ndaba on the bench for Lecce. Not sure two Irish players have ever faced each other in Serie A

[pixiehead]

That's a good goal. Great reaction from ball deflected to him. Well done Evan.
https://streamin.me/v/302f6b9a

[The Fly]

He’s been very good in this match so far. Much more mobile and confident.

[Fixer82]

He's up for player of the match too.

[pineapple stu]

5 goals in the last 10 games - and maybe more importantly he's started 5 of the last 6. Would be great if this is the start of his resurgence

[yurt]

Was a shame to see him taken off on the hour mark. He was much less influential in the second half after a great first half.

That's 3 starts in a row and he looked comfortable leading the line. I'm not sure what the most amount of games in a row he's ever started is but I don't think it'd be much more than 3. Hopefully he continues starting games and the goals keep trickling through. His aim has to be to be Roma's top scorer this season.

[irishfan86]

I’ve been critical of his hold up play but his first half was basically a perfect target man performance with an excellent finish for his goal. Ran out of gas on the hour mark but he seems to be turning the corner. Hopefully he can tough it out and help Roma compete for a title.

[samhaydenjr]

Was a shame to see him taken off on the hour mark. He was much less influential in the second half after a great first half.

That's 3 starts in a row and he looked comfortable leading the line. I'm not sure what the most amount of games in a row he's ever started is but I don't think it'd be much more than 3. Hopefully he continues starting games and the goals keep trickling through. His aim has to be to be Roma's top scorer this season.

Interestingly, his replacement, Dovbyk, was taken off injured 25 minutes later. Might mean less competition up front in the coming weeks

[Exgrad]

I’ve been critical of his hold up play but his first half was basically a perfect target man performance with an excellent finish for his goal. Ran out of gas on the hour mark but he seems to be turning the corner. Hopefully he can tough it out and help Roma compete for a title.

Theyre 5th at moment, 3 points off the top having played two games more, so don't think they are in title race, don't seem to be playing particualrly well either at moment. Gasparini rowing with club over transfers and blanked media after game last night. They will be doing v well to challenge for CL place.

[Eirambler]

Local media in Rome now reporting that Ferguson's recent for for Roma has brought about interest from...Roma.

https://romapress.net/ferguson-to-start-vs-sassuolo-expected-to-remain-at-roma/

[yurt]

It seems like a pretty weird situation in Roma at the minute. Gasparini seems so desperate to sign an alternative to Ferguson/Dovbyk that he is actually not happy that they've started to turn a corner form wise in the past few weeks.

Refusing to do media after both of them scored because of the lack of funds available to sign a striker isn't a great sign. He's just starting to gather starts and goals/form but it feels to me at least that his manager doesn't really want him to succeed.

Hopefully he can get another 80+ mins and a goal or two tomorrow and Gasparini might start to see the solution to his problems are already in front of him.

[Kingdom]

It seems like a pretty weird situation in Roma at the minute. Gasparini seems so desperate to sign an alternative to Ferguson/Dovbyk that he is actually not happy that they've started to turn a corner form wise in the past few weeks.

Refusing to do media after both of them scored because of the lack of funds available to sign a striker isn't a great sign. He's just starting to gather starts and goals/form but it feels to me at least that his manager doesn't really want him to succeed.

Hopefully he can get another 80+ mins and a goal or two tomorrow and Gasparini might start to see the solution to his problems are already in front of him.

Italian football is beyond Machiavellian at times, particularly when it comes to transfers. Gaspareni might know something about the situation involving both that the fans do not. Sure wasn't it Hurzeler who said only a couple of weeks ago that recalling Ferguson could be an option for him - which his CEO has said is not an option!

[elatedscum]

I could be wrong but the time he was most critical of Ferguson, I believe, was when Capello asked a question with implied criticism of Gasperini. Something like “Ferguson was excellent, why haven’t we seen more of him?” To which Gasperini did a Martin O’Neill

[pineapple stu]

Subbed off in the first half of Roma's game this evening. Can only assume that's injury-related - and just as he was staying to find a bit of form too...

[nigel-harps1954]

Subbed off in the first half of Roma's game this evening. Can only assume that's injury-related - and just as he was staying to find a bit of form too...

Took a knee to the back early on in the game and didn't recover.

[elatedscum]

Bad (intentional) knee to the back/arse from the CB, was struggling with it and then.

Then 20 mins later, he was pulled to the floor and landed awkwardly on the same point

As long as he didn’t slip a disk, which you can do there, but yen it shouldn’t be anything serious or long term

[irishfan86]

That wasn’t a disc/back injury. Looks like a glute (butt) strain. Was trying to play through it then stretched for a volley and landed hard on the exact spot he’d been favouring since the knee in the ass.

Definitely a muscular injury.

[Fixer82]

What a pain in the hole

[pineapple stu]

In fairness, he could do with a kick in the arse after last season

[irishfan86]

The timing is awful though. He played brilliantly last match, even beyond the goal. And with Dovbyk injured this is a moment where he could have really nailed that place up top down. Hopefully not out too long but really gaining a reputation for not being that durable.

[rebelmusic]

Doesn't sound too serious:

"He was unlucky. They are painful blows that semi-paralyse you and prevent you from playing. He took more than one. I feel sorry for him.

"We'll see tomorrow but I don’t think it’s a muscular thing that will take days."

[Eirambler]

Their new striker off to a flyer I see. Wouldn't be surprised if Ferguson is not a Roma player by the end of January.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Their new striker off to a flyer I see. Wouldn't be surprised if Ferguson is not a Roma player by the end of January.
Well Roma do have an obligation to buy unlike with Ferguson where it is an option. So its guaranteed that Malen will be a Roma player at the end of the season.

Malen is a good player and was probably sold by Villa because of their financial situation. I do think Gasperini seems to favour older players and be disparaging about a perceived lack of maturity with younger players. Malen is six years older than Ferguson but still only has a slightly better goalscoring rate over his career (outside Holland where good strikers can score a lot of goals) - about one in something less than four games (over six seasons and in a much better situation than Ferguson - i.e. without the mistreated injury and a coach that doesn't know how to use him) - to Ferguson's a little less than one in four.

If Ferguson leaves Roma I suspect there will be quite a few suitors - Betis and Napoli already mentioned and I wouldn't be surprised if Villa came in for him to replace Malen. I've seen Celtic mentioned but I think that would be a waste of five months.

[Rayzor]

I've seen Celtic mentioned but I think that would be a waste of five months.

Would it though? it revitalised both Robbie Keanes and Craig Belamys careers. If he goes to Celtic he will play and score goals, I think going to Napoli under Conte would be a disaster and definitely a waste of 5 months. Even Betis he would probably be back up to Cucho Hernandez.

[Eirambler]

Given Hearts' link to Brighton it may not be possible for him to go to Celtic anyway.

[Kingdom]

I wouldn't be surprised if Villa came in for him to replace Malen.

I would. I'd be absolutely stunned if Villa looked at Ferguson as a direct replacement for Malen. Or at all.

[Buckett]

On from the start tonight at home to Stuttgart in the Europa League