Shane Ferguson

**the bear** · 03/08/2011, 8:35 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

In related news, apparently Liverpool are stepping up efforts to sign Jos� Enrique: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/spo...e_for_Enrique/

Whether that could see Ferguson taking over the starting spot at left back remains to be seen, although it appears unlikely considering the injury and talk of Newcastle signing a replacement for Jos� Enrique.

havent seen much of him danny, do you reckon he is good enough

**DannyInvincible** · 03/08/2011, 9:05 PM

I'd need to see more of him myself. I understand he's bulked up over the summer and was told by Pardew to prepare for a promotion to the first-team dressing room. That would have to sound promising.

The local Newcastle paper is also reporting he could well be back to face Arsenal for the new season opener: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newca...2703-29167823/

SHANE FERGUSON could be back from injury in time for the explosive Premier League opener with Arsenal.

Toon boss Alan Pardew has a huge question mark over the left-back slot – with Jose Enrique thought to be a top priority for Liverpool – and has limited remaining options if he does not bring in a new face.

Once capped Northern Ireland player Ferguson has shown real promise at first team level in the last 12 months but lacks experience, as do alternatives James Tavernier and Paul Dummett.

Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson have done a job there in the Premier League, but would be first to admit it is not their preferred positions.

Ferguson injured his ankle in the 2-0 win at Darlington last month with United staff fearing a more serious break.

Pardew – who oversaw a fringe team at Gateshead last night – also feels ankle victim Danny Guthrie could be back earlier than first thought.

And he told the Chronicle: “Fergie looks like he is going to be involved towards the back end of the week. Danny has also progressed very well.

“Those are two players I was hoping would really push for their place this year so it was a blow to lose them.

“Fergie gives us options on that left-hand side. At left-back we have an issue. Forget about Jose’s situation, no one player has covered that position particularly well.”

Many of the comments, presumably from Newcastle fans, would suggest there's apprehension over his inexperience, although I think there's a general air of gloom around Newcastle at the minute. I don't think the fans are expecting much this season with it looking like Joey Barton will move on as well.

**the bear** · 03/08/2011, 9:25 PM

newcastle have had a very funny summer, cant understand selling your captain and top goalscorer and best player because he's 28 and wants a 5 year deal. he would only be 33 at the end of it, and how many contracts are actually seen through anyway. with him carrol barton and enrique gone things are looking gloomy for the toons. i reckon ba is a good signing though, and ben arfa if hes fit

**Charlie Darwin** · 03/08/2011, 11:10 PM

Scottish Football Apartheid.

**DannyInvincible** · 04/08/2011, 5:10 AM

According to this, Liverpool and Newcastle have agreed a fee of �8 million for Jos� Enrique and a deal will be concluded by the end of the week (Friday?): http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...r-jose-enrique

The article also mentions Newcastle having been linked with Wayne Bridge and Stephen Warnock as replacements, however.

**an_ceannaire** · 08/08/2011, 3:06 PM

See poor Shane is the lowest rated player of every single midfielder in the Premiership on the Fantasy Football League website! The only MF playeron the 4m mark God Bless Him!!!! I'd say he is devestated.........!!

**DannyInvincible** · 08/08/2011, 3:19 PM

Saw that myself. I think that must be an error. I reckon they were set on designating him as a defender (plenty of them for �4 million) as left back is really his position, but then decided to switch him to the midfielders at the last minute as Newcastle played him on the left wing last season. Are you including him in your team?

**an_ceannaire** · 08/08/2011, 3:26 PM

Yep. on the bench. Had 4m left and needed a sub MF'r and looking at the amt of teams he is on.....i wasnt the only one

**DannyInvincible** · 08/08/2011, 3:38 PM

I think I got the above the wrong way around actually. Newcastle deployed him at left back although left wing is really his position so FPL probably designated him a midfielder after initially considering him as a defender. Anyway...

**TrapAPony** · 24/08/2011, 12:01 PM

“With regards Shane there isn’t a problem. A lot of people speculated that he was heading south, and the FAI wanted him. But Shane is very content and happy with how things are. He has never had any doubt over who he wants to play with, and both me and Steve Beaglehole (Under 21 boss) have spoken to the lad and everyone is happy.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...rong_1_2989896

**zero** · 24/08/2011, 12:04 PM

beaglehole?

ha ha.

**Predator** · 24/08/2011, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

“With regards Shane there isn’t a problem. A lot of people speculated that he was heading south, and the FAI wanted him. But Shane is very content and happy with how things are. He has never had any doubt over who he wants to play with, and both me and Steve Beaglehole (Under 21 boss) have spoken to the lad and everyone is happy.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...rong_1_2989896

I'd take anything that comes from the IFA with a pinch of salt. After all, how can Gerry say that Ferguson never had any doubt over who he wants to play for if Ferguson himself has openly stated his intention to think things over?

And this is interesting: “We have found a couple on the mainland who we think qualify for Northern Ireland – one of which could be a real star of the future,” Gerry revealed.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/08/2011, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

“With regards Shane there isn’t a problem. A lot of people speculated that he was heading south, and the FAI wanted him. But Shane is very content and happy with how things are. He has never had any doubt over who he wants to play with, and both me and Steve Beaglehole (Under 21 boss) have spoken to the lad and everyone is happy.”

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...rong_1_2989896

From that article:

“I intend giving it 125 per cent. We need to stop this flow of players opting for the Republic. We have to stop the FAI cherry-picking Northern Ireland talent. Thankfully the IFA continue to realise that and they have offered me this role.

Wasn't it proven that the FAI do not approach these players, but have made it clear that they are available to talk to, should a player wish to change allegiance?

**Predator** · 24/08/2011, 12:21 PM

Gerry might have been "re-educated" for all we know.

**geysir** · 24/08/2011, 5:40 PM

I guess that means Shane is a dead cert now to 'go south'.

**DannyInvincible** · 24/08/2011, 6:55 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

And this is interesting: �We have found a couple on the mainland who we think qualify for Northern Ireland � one of which could be a real star of the future,� Gerry revealed.

Maybe his base is on Rathlin Island. It's not like it would make a huge deal of difference to his potential effectiveness.

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From that article:

Wasn't it proven that the FAI do not approach these players, but have made it clear that they are available to talk to, should a player wish to change allegiance?

To my knowledge, there's no evidence of anyone acting on behalf of the FAI ever having approached any northern-born players unless an interest was first expressed from the player or someone on his behalf, bar a solitary, unsourced claim from NI fans that Chris Baird was solicited by Brian Kerr, our manager at the time, contrary to an agreement the FAI had made with the IFA in 1999. I've no reason to disbelieve the claim about Kerr contacting Baird, but I would see it as Kerr having possibly acted in a rogue capacity not in line with official FAI policy. That's my suspicion and I suspect this for a few reasons. It's the only reported incident, of which I'm aware anyway, of someone working for the FAI making an initial approach. I don't see why the FAI would actively set out to provoke tension with their neighbouring association by breaching agreements either - it would be na�ve for anyone to believe that a clandestine approach would stay secret for long - even if the eccentric fringe (or is that an understatement?!) of NI fans believe the FAI is out to destroy the IFA. Furthermore, I know that the reason Sean McCaffrey was reluctant to contact Shane Duffy was because of this policy.

Even if the FAI did approach these players, it wouldn't be akin to cherry-picking talent. Describing it in such terms implies coercion or lack of consent and brushes over the fact that these players are independent and sentient beings who make decisions of their own volition. Furthermore, seeing as the IFA's taking of Daniel Kearns to CAS amounted to a severe breach of the 1999 agreement, I don't see why it should stand any longer.

**Fixer82** · 24/08/2011, 8:10 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

And this is interesting: “We have found a couple on the mainland who we think qualify for Northern Ireland – one of which could be a real star of the future,” Gerry revealed.

Jesus Christ....and they wonder why kids are disillusioned with pulling on a NI jersey