Evan Ferguson was a benched observer at the start of Ireland’s UEFA nations league playoff last night as his team came from behind to record a 2-1 away victory against Bulgaria in Plovdiv. West Ham’s on-loan striker had started several of his countries’ previous international fixtures, so being sat on the bench must have been a difficult – if familiar role- for Ferguson to adopt after his limited game time at West Ham since signing on loan in the winter window.
Whilst West Ham fans will be used to seeing Ferguson as a time-limited option with just 92 minutes in five games, for his country he has recently been the striker of choice. As extra.ie recorded yesterday:
“The 20-year-old has been Heimir Hallgrimsson’s preferred attacking choice since he took charge of the Boys in Green for the first time in September. Ferguson has started the last four consecutive matches under the Icelandic coach – scoring in the 1-0 win over Finland.”
So the fact that he did not appear until the Irish side were 2-1 ahead in the 76th minute was a carbon-copy of his West Ham role.
Has his relegation to minor cameos at West Ham affected his Ireland position? Could well be. The irishnews.com. claimed assistant manager John O’Shea was critical too:
‘O’Shea was surprised the 20-year-old striker hadn’t played more than a combined total of 90 minutes since hooking up with Potter again.
”Especially a former manager that obviously knows him well. But listen, there is big competition for places at Premier League clubs and obviously they probably felt there was a little niggling injury where they had to build up fitness too.”
The Hammers may claim that he is not injured, just not selected – but obviously Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, like Potter, sees Ferguson’s role as a substitute which cannot be good for the young man’s career.
We can but hope for his West Ham season, and for his Irish career, that Ferguson gets a start -and a goal – in the return second leg on Sunday in Dublin.
