Evan Ferguson was rated at over £100m just over a year ago but now can’t get a start at 16th placed West Ham.
First West Ham’s owners and fans, then the Ireland management followed by Brighton’s, now even the man himself is not happy with Evan Ferguson’s move to the London Stadium.
West Ham reportedly beat 20 other clubs to sign Ferguson from Brighton in the winter window.
The Irish striker’s close relationship with Graham Potter, the man who brought him to the Premier League, was one of the big reasons the Hammers won that race.
But it’s fair to say that relationship is being seriously tested now.
Ferguson is yet to start a game for West Ham or, rather damningly, register a shot on target.
The 20-year-old slipped down the pecking order to third or fourth choice striker at Brighton.
But moving to east London on loan has not improved his minutes.
Ferguson has been so very sparingly used by Potter so far. Surprisingly so.
The towering forward had impressed in a second half cameo in the home defeat to Brentford after joining.
But given West Ham went out of both domestic cups at the third round and are not in Europe, they are going long spells without matches.
The Hammers had 11 days between games recently.
Then after another couple, Potter’s side have a 16-day gap between matches and will have played just twice in 33 days.
With no jeopardy in West Ham’s season, fans though they’d see Ferguson being let off the leash.
Especially as Potter looks to see if he is the man to solve the club’s big striker problem ahead of a potential permanent move in the summer.
Emboldened Ferguson far from happy with Potter
And particularly as the Hammers have struggled to score goals since Potter’s arrival, managing just one per game so far.
Given the long gaps between matches and Ferguson’s lack of minutes, he has looked understandably rusty.
Ireland assistant boss John O’Shea slammed Potter’s treatment of Ferguson last week.
The ex Man United defender can’t believe Ferguson isn’t starting up front every week for West Ham.
West Ham’s owners aren’t happy with how Ferguson’s loan is panning out, pouring old water on the prospect of making it permanent.
Brighton are also said to be frustrated with Potter’s use of Ferguson.
Now emboldened Ferguson has made it clear he is also far from happy with Potter.
But in a refreshingly positive approach, he has vowed to save his West Ham move from being a flop.
As seems so typical for West Ham, the moment Ferguson plays for his national team he turns into Harry Kane.
The striker started and finished a brilliant move in devastating style to score in Ireland’s 2-1 win over Bulgaria last night.
Reflecting on the goal, Ferguson said he wants to use it to prove he should be in the West Ham team.
He makes it clear he is not happy with how the loan move – or the season as a whole – is working out for him.
But Ferguson believes he can have a strong goalscoring end to the season with West Ham now.
Refreshing attitude as Ferguson vows to save West Ham move
“It’s always good to score, and for your country as well. It’s my job now,” he said when interviewed for Irish TV after the game.
“I didn’t catch it as cleanly as I would have liked, but that can be the next one.
“I am in a good place, and I feel positive mentally and physically. Everyone wants to play, so when you have your chance, you have to take the minutes as you get them.
“I haven’t played as much football as I’d have liked this season, for a variety of reasons, but I’ll be aiming to continue this form after the international break and have a strong end to the season.”
Many West Ham fans have already written Ferguson off after just five sub appearances.
But let’s hope his form between now and the end of May forces David Sullivan and the board to put their hands in their pockets to make the move permanent.
Because if that happens then it will have been a stunning end to the campaign.
