Evan Ferguson F Brighton b.2004

I don’t have any doubts about Evan’s ability - I just think Enciso would cost £40m right now. Fwiw all the stuff about Ferguson, you see about Enciso https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/0...io-enciso/amp/

I think Brighton see all of Minteh, Ferguson, Enciso, Barco, Baleba and Buonanotte, all born in 2004 as potential stars who they could sell for £50-100m in the next 3 years if they get the development right. If Ferguson loses game time to Enciso that’s an acceptable trade off if Enciso’s value increases and it helps them win games.

Evan is one of 9 really good attacking players currently in their squad. Personally I’d start him ahead of the other centre forwards but I’d worry what we’ve seen from the manager suggests that

a) tactically maybe he wants a more mobile and quicker striker than Ferguson - certainly looked that way in the 4 games they’ve played so far. the fact that Enciso has been changed from an attacking midfielder to a striker is worrying to me in that respect.

b) he’s been involved in full team training without any restrictions since 12th of august, seems to me likes he’s been ready for a few weeks if they wanted to use him

c) they had him on the bench in the league cup and played Mark O’Mahony ahead of him, they had an opportunity to start his return and didn’t. And if he wasn’t fit to play, he wouldn’t have been on the bench. Also the fact they choose to play O’Mahony as a 10 and Enciso as a 9 when O’Reilly got injured, it reinforced the idea that Enciso was starting there by choice rather than necessity.

d) if they were concerned he had issues over playing and didn’t want Evan to travel to Ireland, they could have refused his release. Cause he wasn’t in the squad for the Arsenal game, they had the right to block his travel

e) HH said that Brighton had no issues at all with his call up. Once again, sounds to me like someone who they think is ready to play football and hasn’t got that game time due to managerial selection

I just think it could easily be a frustrating few months waiting until someone picks up an injury.

They’re winning games, 7 points from Arsenal, United and Everton is very impressive. Wellbeck has scored 2 in 3, so has Pedro while winning multiple MOTM awards. Mitoma is their best player and one of the best left wingers in the league, Minteh has been a revelation so far. Rutter is their record signing. Adingra has also scored 2 and was Best Young Player at AFCON last season, winning MOTM in the quarter final and the final. And he did excellently when Mitoma was injured last season.

Then you’ve got Ferguson who we all know how good he is, Enciso who is an absolute live-wire and Matt O’Reilly who’s a lovely footballer.

Depth wise, that’s probably a top 4 or 5 attack.

You make some good points there, but I think people are over-analysing things with Evan. He’s had no pre-season, and that’s the reason he hasn’t featured for Brighton so far.

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Originally Posted by The Fly

You make some good points there, but I think people are over-analysing things with Evan. He’s had no pre-season, and that’s the reason he hasn’t featured for Brighton so far.

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I think that's the key too. He was horribly managed last year, both at international and club level. I think it was borderline negligent how often he played through injury. His managers seemed to completely forget he was still just a teenager, probably still growing and continued to push him and play him. It's a positive sign to me, that he's been given time to recover properly and he's not being rushed back by the new Brighton manager. Hopefully he's not pushed to play 90 minutes in these international games either. With no pre-season and no minutes to date, I'd say 30 minutes and 45 minutes would be the max he should be playing in his first games back.

I remember seeing him directly after one of the Ireland games and he was in really bad shape, hobbling around like an auld lad after the weekly five a side, he had played 90 for Ireland and then also went and played 90 for Brighton the following weekend. It was clear his mobility was badly compromised, very evident off the pitch, but also noticeable on it. I really hope he's fully recovered now and he can get back to being the superstar we all hope he's going to be.

Got the last six minutes of today's 0-0 draw with Brighton - his first game for them since the end of March.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Got the last six minutes of today's 0-0 draw with Brighton - his first game for them since the end of March.

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0 - 0 against Ipswich.

Whoops! Yeah, he hasn't swapped sides alright.

Szmodics and Ogbene fairly quiet for Ipswich - seems Brighton were much the better side throughout, but the Ipswich defence (O'Shea in particular) and their keeper were in great form to keep it scoreless.

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.

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Originally Posted by texidub

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.

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Ferguson is a massive talent - and despite the recent setback, the one opportunity he had yesterday shows that he has all the probability of becoming one of the top strikers in the PL (and probably the best we've ever had).

Starts v Wolves in EFL cup.

Some lovely touches, holding the ball up well, looking sharp and hungry. A goal would top off a very good performance so far.

Matt Doherty with a well worked assist in the same game. Maybe he's awakening from his recent slumber?

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Originally Posted by texidub

Ferguson got one opportunity - lovely turn and a decent shot - just wide. Short but good cameo. Great to see him back getting minutes w/ Brighton. Could make all the difference in the upcoming windows.

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Ferguson won't make the difference for Ireland. Ferguson and Kane and Messi together wouldn't make the difference for Ireland because we have no ability to create chances. Evidence of this is the lack of goals we score. We were always lacking in this department and we are worse than ever right now with no solution in sight.

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Originally Posted by mark12345

Ferguson won't make the difference for Ireland. Ferguson and Kane and Messi together wouldn't make the difference for Ireland because we have no ability to create chances. Evidence of this is the lack of goals we score. We were always lacking in this department and we are worse than ever right now with no solution in sight.

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I wouldn't go that far. He holds the ball up better than any other player - that's just one difference right there. we do create some chances but we're a bit toothless up front at times. ferguson has that bit extra that can make a difference.

Three very presentable chances vs England, despite a general battering. Molumby header very early, then Szmodics and Molumby from 15-20 yards but with time to be more accurate. I'd have fancied Ferguson to do better with either and he is also capable of making a bit of room for himself that our others can't. I think he'll improve us at the margins.

50th Premier League appearance for Ferguson today

Difficult situation he finds himself in. Played 22 minutes of league football since the last international window. 5 minutes, 8 minutes, 9 minutes and 0 minutes in the 4 league games.

Not enough football to ever actually find any rhythm at all - and as a result he looks so out of form that you’d never choose him over an in form Wellbeck.

You’re hoping for an injury to someone else - or for him to get a start in the league cup against Liverpool and for it magically all to click

Ultimately I’m not too worried. I feel like worst case scenario he ends up getting a loan or transfer to another club and his talent will come through. Depending on the move it could even be a step up. Even if a bit of a hiccup he will have plenty of chances at Brighton.

I can kind of see where the story about a loan to Brentford came from. Might still need a move of some sort in January to get things going again. Is it safe to assume there's no long term knock on issue with the injury at play here - anything that might permanently limit his potential ceiling?

starts today v newcastle... feels like a long time coming!

Hopefully the international games did him lots of good. Up top with Welbeck too so won't be isolated.