BRIGHTON MANAGER FABIAN Hurzeler says Evan Ferguson will need time to get back to his previous form but insists he “needs to train at 100%” in order to progress.
The Republic of Ireland striker made his made his first start for Brighton since March in their 3-2 win against Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. He played for 62 minutes before he was replaced by Danny Welbeck.
Ferguson underwent ankle surgery earlier this year which ruled him out of end of last season while also keeping him out of Ireland’s friendlies in June against Hungary and Portugal.
Hurzeler says the 19-year-old is showing signs of promise but will need to focus on regaining his fitness levels to reintegrate himself further into the team.
“I think we saw in some situations how good he can be,” the Seagulls boss told the club website.
“He had some shots in the first half, he worked hard against the ball. He can’t be on the level already that he wants to and like he was before in the Premier League in the prime of his individual performance.
“We will try to get him there, he needs to train at 100 per cent and he needs to use every training sessions to get as fit as possible and then I’m sure that he will help us.”
Is he saying Ferguson is slacking in training?
@Kevin: seems to be. Big season for Ferguson. Needs to get back playing. If he has another injury riddled season Brighton may let him go and at the moment that means championship football
@Cormac: Championship level isn’t a massive drop down for a player recovering from serious injury. A well thought out move to a club playing similar football could be the making of him.
@Paul Linehan: loan move
@Paul Linehan: this is a player that was been touted as one of the best up and coming no9 in the PL. as good as Brighton if he starts to drop down in leagues from Brighton then that’s where he’ll end up. And I mean that as been sold. A loan spell for the rest of the season would be good for him if he’s not getting game time.
@Cormac: You need to read my correction regarding my comment. Brighton had a decent player in Ben White who was loaned out to a couple of clubs, but his biggest improvement was under Bielsa at Leeds, where he progressed brilliantly. Unfortunately he went backwards a bit when he went to Arsenal, but potentially a very good player who just needs to be grounded a bit more.
@Cormac: the only thing is that the traditional number 9 is less effective in the modern game. I’ve watched him since he was called up at under 21 level and he never stood out for me like McGeady or Keane did. He’s never been partially prolific or quick, in saying that his reading of the game was excellent so maybe he’ll grow into a goal poacher.
@Paul Linehan: he starts every game for Arsenal he’s hardly gone backwards from Leeds.
He played very well last nite
I remember he scored one or two last season against Liverpool at home and then during the game received a bad tackle. He was brought off and I think he’s never been the same since.