West Ham boss Graham Potter was clearly irked as he responds to criticism about and from Evan Ferguson.
West Ham fans have been venting over striker Evan Ferguson of late, but they’re not alone.
Many Hammers supporters feel it is now or never for Ferguson in West Ham’s upcoming games against Wolves and Bournemouth.
Because they believe if the Irishman on loan from Brighton can’t get his first West Ham start in those games – with nothing to play for and therefore not a lot to lose – then his move has been a complete flop.
Particularly as West Ham are averaging just one goal per game under Potter so far.
According to reports Graham Potter was key to the Hammers beating off 19 other clubs to sign Ferguson from Brighton in January.
Having ended his 20-month football hiatus to accept the West Ham job, Potter’s first order of business was to sign a striker.
Ferguson loan a hot topic at West Ham
He was the man who first brought Ferguson to England and gave the 20-year-old his Premier League debut.
But after joining on a straight loan for the second half of the season, Ferguson has barely featured in his first two months.
West Ham’s owners, supporters, the Ireland and Brighton management and even Ferguson himself have voiced their unhappiness at how the striker’s move is being handled by Potter.
With Niclas Fullkrug now back available and Jarrod Bowen being preferred up front in recent games, the prospects of that changing look bleak.
Especially as reports continue to claim there is no chance on either side of the Ferguson deal being made permanent in the summer.
The target man, once valued at over £100m by Brighton, actually impressed in his first Hammers appearance – a second half cameo in the home defeat to Brentford.
But with West Ham out of both domestic cups and not in Europe, there have been long spells without matches.
When the Hammers take on Wolves, it will be just their second game in 33 days.
Ferguson did get some much-needed action – and a goal – during the international break.
Republic of Ireland assistant boss John O’Shea slammed Potter’s treatment of Ferguson during the pause in Premier League action.
O’Shea said he can’t believe Ferguson isn’t starting up front every week for West Ham.
West Ham’s owners aren’t happy with the Ferguson loan so far either, with cold water very much poured on any prospect of making it permanent.
Hammers boss Potter heavily criticised over Ferguson treatment
Emboldened by his goal for Ireland, Ferguson criticised his lack of game time at West Ham.
Supporters have also been critical, questioning why Potter signed Ferguson in the first place if he isn’t going to play.
Some Hammers fans also haven’t been impressed by Ferguson during his limited time on the pitch.
Now the manager has had his say.
Irked Potter bites back at the Ferguson criticism after hearing an unfair claim.
Ahead of facing Wolves, it was put to Potter that many have labelled Ferguson’s loan move to West Ham a ‘flop’.
The criticism from Ferguson and others over his lack of game time was also put to the Hammers boss.
Potter did not beat around the bush in his response, saying it is totally unrealistic for Ferguson to expect to walk into a Premier League side when coming back from persistent injury issues.
He says the criticism of – and from – Ferguson and others is ‘unfair’ from his and West Ham’s perspective.
Although he did hint for the first time that he may be set for his first start.
“Forwards, it’s nice for them to score, he’s been doing a lot well,” Potter said of Ferguson in his West Ham press conference.
“We know the sort of place he was in when he came and where he was from an injury perspective and coming back from injury and game time.
“So it was always going to be a little bit of a patience one wit him.
Irked Potter bites back at Ferguson criticism after ‘unfair’ claim
“But going away, a different environment, a different team just to get some minutes, to play and score, it’s great for a forward.
“He’s been good in training and he’s come back in a good place. He’s always been ready to help the team, he’s settled in well with the group here, trains hard every day and he’s ready to play.
“From our perspective (the criticism of and from Ferguson) is unfair to be honest,” Potter added.
“Like I said you have to see the context of where he was in terms of the minutes he’s played previously and how he was on his return from injury. We got him at the really early stages of that return to play stage.
“So to think that you can just walk into a Premier League team and just hit the ground running and play is difficult. But he’s come on, he’s helped us. Last four matches we’ve picked up seven points, he’s been part of the team, the group, in that respect.
“We’re happy with him and I think he’s enjoying his time here, settled in well and he’s ready to help.”
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