Could Ferguson play in the Jonas role?

If we're gonna be rotating due to more frequent games played or if Jonas got injured, what about Ferguson in the Jonas role?

Ba-------Cisse--------HBA

---------Cabaye-------

--Ferguson-----Tiote----

New Lb-Colo---Saylor--Santon

------------Krul------------



He has good pace, has a decent tackle on him, good aggression, good skill, can get forward and has the pace to track back and help out defenders. He also seems to be very determined and works hard. He probably doesn't quite have the stamina for a full 90 mins, but he can play for a lengthy spell.

We could use a bit of pace in CM and someone that can run with the ball, and a bit of extra pace in general would help.

He's not the strongest bloke, but he's not knocked off the ball easily, and if he is he gets back up and harasses players quick enough.

He could do with some developing. He could improve his tackling. He's a canny tackler now, but he could improve but remember he's not had much experience.

I just get really excited with this bloke tbh.

 

I think he needs a loan move at this stage.

 

I disagree. He's a regular sub now and we need a big squad to cope with Europa League. He could be very useful in Europe, helping us cope with the amount of games and also cup games.

 

I bet you do.

 

Shut the **** up

 

No.

Wow, this debate stuff is easy!

 

Yeah, well done ****er

 

Back to the point:

Ferguson is in many ways a more classic winger than Jonas: fast, tricky, likes to get to the byline and put in a cross. But he can tackle.

He could play a central semi-holding role, but I think he would be better our wide, and we probably have other people who could stand in for the Jonas-in-the-middle role more easily

 

Jonas isn't particularly fast, but he can dribble well and can tackle, but I agree, Ferguson is more of a classic winger.

 

I think Fergie is a cracing little player and a valuable member of our squad. Hard working and not afraid to get stuck in. Is ready made to step into Jonas role whenever he is needed.

 

He needs to bulk up but yes

 

I'd say Fergie is better as a sub when we need to:

a) play a little more carefully and counter, say if we're 1 or 2 up with 20 mins left. Bring him on for Ba/Cisse and drop him and Benny back into more classic winger positions in a 4-5-1.

or

b) Go for it a little more. Bring him on for Jonas or Cheick and play an attacking 4-4-2 with him and Benny on the wings, and the two dembas in the middle.

or

c) attack a tiring/ageing fullback more. Bring him on for Ba in a straight swap in the 4-3-3.

or

d) Desperately hang on, say possibly down to ten men, and play him in a wing-back role, with Perch moving into the middle (assuming he still plays), and Fergie and Santon on the flanks.

Great super sub, not sue if he has a definite role yet. Only time will tell.

 

Fergie will be starting games before long, good player with lots of potential.

 

Saw Fergie when he played his first game at Chelsea and was very impressed, thought he'd have had more games under his belt by now.

He could do with bulking up a bit though.

 

How do you suggest he bulks up?

Just eat lots of food?

I think his scrawnyness may actually be one of his key attributes in terms of speed and agility.

 

No, basically, not a chance. He hugs the touchline, going to be a quality left mid/winger. He's a lot different to Jonas and there's no way I can see him being good as a ball-winning DM.

 

Ferguson is a trickly little winger, but to perform in that role he needs the passing accuracy, composure, confidence and tactical prowess to be able to pull it off. Jonas can't cross for **** but they are attributes he's always had. It's got a good footballing brain, stays confident and makes good passes.

 

Good answer, but I think Fergie could develop those skills. Ferguson has decent defensive quality, and Jonas didn't have the same level of defensive quality when he came here as he does now, he developed it as he's been here.

I don't agree with the people saying that you need to be bulky to be a central midfielder. If you don't have strength, you just need decent reactions and know when to dispatch the ball. Strength does help, but not getting caught in possession is the main thing.

Tiote's strength means **** all when he takes a second too long and loses the ball at times in critical areas.

Ferguson has a decent tackle on him that could improve. Perch played in that CM role before and he's not much stronger than Ferguson. Perch uses his acceleration and sliding tackle ability to it's best, and it wins us some great possession.

Perch is hardly a tricky player either but it's all about experience and knowing how long to keep the ball and releasing it at the right time.

Ferguson could be a bit like Ramires. A pace player with a decent tackle, good aggression, good ability to run with the ball and go forward, good skill. Don't see Ferguson scoring goals like Ramires, but hey, Ferguson has come close a few times.

He was unlucky not to score what would have probably been goal of the season for us against Stoke if he had finished it.

 

Well said Tash.

 

No I think he'd struggle there to be honest. He is a winger and at a push a full back. To now go asking him to learn another new role, he'll end up jack of all trades, master of none. To be honest he is perfect for us in that he gives us a great option from the bench to open out our play when required. Sometimes we'll hit a brickwall with the 433 and be tactically outdone (like Wigan). You then need to have plan b,c,d and e ready! Obviously we do need to give him games but I think there will be enough opportunities next year to get him involved in a more comfortable role.