Brighton head coach weighs in on Ferguson’s year-long goal drought: ‘Patience’

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has had an opportunity to share his thoughts on Roma loanee Evan Ferguson, who has come under criticism for his lack of goals, despite the Giallorossi being among the early challengers for the Serie A title. 

Ferguson joined Roma on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy for a cost of €40m during the summer transfer window. 

The Irishman started in three of Roma’s first four league matches of the season, all of which resulted in 1-0 victories, but has since struggled to break into Gian Piero Gasperini’s starting line-up, and has now gone a full calendar year without scoring a competitive goal at club level. 

Brighton head coach Hurzeler was asked what he made of Ferguson’s form during his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s cup clash against Arsenal on Tuesday. 

He believes it is ‘natural’ that a young player goes through ‘waves’ in their development, and insists that patience is the only thing that will help Ferguson get through his goal drought. 

“It’s not easy, especially for Evan, to go to another culture, it’s a completely different style of football,” Hurzeler told the press. 

“I think we need to be patient with him, he’s still very young, he needs to adapt. I think he had a really good start. 

“It’s natural, when you look at our squad, it’s the same with our young players, there are waves in the way they develop. We can’t expect that it always goes (upwards). 

“Overall, the main thing is that he doesn’t regret what he’s doing, that he’s overcoming these phases because overcoming these phases means you get stronger in your personality, you become more mature, you make the next step and I’m sure long-term, this will help in his development.”