Any statement from our fearless playing leader and inspirational leader of men ?

Am sure he will be galvanizing the team to a fearless response….or at least showing Hastie the difference between his arse and his elbow or bribing Cooke to run more than 10 yards with the offer of a takeaway

The captaincy is too much for him and he needs to concentrate on his own game and get back to his previous form of making goals from his surges up the wing. Personally would give the job back to Featherstone at least he would encourage the players around him.

I would not have Ferguson in the team. I would love to see the stats as to how many opponents’ goals have come from his side of the pitch in the last 18 months; I suspect more than from the right back side, but can’t say for certain. That is certainly how it seems to me.

Some people will laugh but as a left back I think that ZFA was far better. I concede that he was not brilliant but in my view he held his position much better than Ferguson.

Additionally, Ferguson’s crossing is, I believe, overrated at times. Yes he has created chances with his crossing, but again it would be interesting to see the stats on how many of them actually reach their target and how many of them have led to goals.

When we played his old club Blackpool in the FA Cup he was MOM, and I agree that he had a very good game; I just wish that he would replicate that performance more frequently.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Fergy's best performances have always been

a) when we're on the front foot and more importantly

b) when he's had cover either in front of him, or a fast covering CB alongside him

This season he's been woefully exposed and played poorly as a result. His crossing stats won't look good because we don't have anyone who really makes runs into the box to attack the ball. I'd play Burton in front of him as LM out of the current mob.

burton for me is a far better option than brody bleeding patterson any day of the week. at least he,ll get involved in the game and you notice him even though jis involvment is not the best all the time.

I've always thought Football captaincy is a bit of a nonsense.
Tends to be given to longest serving player who is likely to play the most games. Providing you can shout 'Fuckin Come On!' as well as being happy to have scrap now and again that's normally enough.

Cricket on the other hand- the captain actually affects the whole game from start to finish.
From picking the team, choosing the batting order, setting the field, deciding field placings, who bowls when and from which end, possible declarations and massive scrutiny from the press in the professional game. You have to be half sharp as well as one of the most reliable performers.

I appreciate the two sports are very different however the football captain has a lot easier time of it, overall.

add to that the decision some clubs make by giving their keeper the job when on a good day they are spectators and miles from the action. others give it to a gobby lad because he has a problem with match officials and gets a bit more leeway if they have an armband on.

totally agree that Ferguson is having one of those seasons ! But this is why he is where is is. Lets not forget he was touted as the next best thing and played Championship football with Blackpool, Did he not captain them at some point too ? His downfalls are clearly his inconsistency to maintain his best level of football. its what makes a player get to the Prem. Ive seen it myself with lads. Had they had the attitude they could of have walked into Pools teams years gone by !

He was marvellous under DC - but so were too many others ! the captain thing has affected his game. But he was off the boil before that. His hot and cold games where always clouded out by someone else having a stinker. Or he would do one good thing to mar away the 100s of mistakes he had made. When hes on form and playing with the right people hes undoubtedly one of the better LBs in the lower divisions.
its a shame we are not seeing that this season as we really could do with the better players we have stepping upto the mark just now !

Burton needs a chance at LB in a 442 for me.

Burton should have been in the team a long time ago, ok he’s a bit of a playful Labrador pup on the pitch, but you know when he’s on the pitch and he’s willing compared to some of the cardboard cut-outs getting a game.

And Burton likes to get stuck.

Last time Burton turned out he was stand out player on the pitch for us - was a tough side against him but he stood up well and took lads on. He almost notched 2 times aswell am sure in that game - this team is crying out for the raw and spontaneous - Oates was like that at first then once he found his shooting boots there was no stopping the lad ! We have to play the best 11 we have its that simple just now.