THE Blue Bloods are already thinking about the future.
Duncan Ferguson, wearing something borrowed (Howard Kendall’s watch) and something blue (an Everton sweatband), got the old place jumping last week.
Duncan Ferguson won over Goodison with emotion – now he must show he has tactical acumen tooCredit: Reuters
One week into the interim manager’s reign, it is a happy union.
Goodison Park was packed out last Saturday, responding to Ferguson’s rallying cries ahead of their fixture against Chelsea.
They won 3-1, with the passion and the emotion of the occasion overwhelming Frank Lampard’s players.
It was throwback football, with the simplicity of 4-4-2 a sensible place to start in his first game in the dugout.
But when Ferguson takes his Dogs of War to Old Trafford on Sunday to take on Manchester United, he will need another strategy.
If he wants the job permanently, to see off competition from the likes of Carlo Ancelotti, the club’s No 1 fan must have a masterplan.
NEEDS OTHER QUALITIES
He starts from a good place, with Evertonians everywhere backing their former striker to bring back the good times.
Beyond that, he must convince the board and director of football Marcel Brands that he has the skill set for the job.
Ferguson did the sensible thing last week, surrounding himself with a coterie of former Everton faves around the training ground.
John Ebbrell, a decent enough midfielder in his time with the club, was promoted from the Under-23s.
Francis Jeffers, Goodison Park’s ‘Fox in the Box’, was also part of the set-up for Ferguson’s big day out.
The old guard have something going for them in the short term, but the demands of the job at the highest level finds people out.
To win over majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, and sentimentalist chairman Bill Kenwright, he must show other qualities.
Everton stunned Chelsea with their passion and fervour as Goodison Park responded to fans’ favourite Duncan Ferguson taking temporary chargeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Tactical expertise and acumen, with the ability to act decisively under pressure, are two of the criteria.
And that also means flexibility with formations and making bold, match- winning or game-changing substitutions at vital times.
Last week’s approach was predictable and necessary, a clear attempt to break away from the mediocrity and tedium of Marco Silva’s football.
On another day, especially in the modern era, some of those 37 tackles will end up with six or seven bookings and a couple of red cards.
Ref Craig Pawson restricted it to three last week — but the combative approach is a big no-no in the Premier League these days.
It means Ferguson needs to come up with alternatives, putting a system in place to take Everton wherever it is they think they should be going.
They should enjoy this ride while they can, making the most of Ferguson’s obvious enthusiasm and desire to leave a lasting impression.
He commands dressing-room respect, but Mason Holgate’s liberal references to “big Dunc” after the Chelsea game can be excused in week one.
Back at Finch Farm he is the boss now, striding out onto the grass to shape an Everton team consistent with his vision.
They would love this to work, for Ferguson to make a real claim for the job with a winning sequence of results.
If he does that, he will get their vote.
WAT A SLIGHT ON BASSETT
WATFORD’S shabby treatment of former manager Dave Bassett last weekend left a lot to be desired.
Bassett, who will be the first to admit his spell at Vicarage Road in the late 1980s did not work out, was shoved in with the scouts for their Premier League game against Crystal Palace.
The Hornets, who still proudly boast they were football’s ‘original family club’, sent Bassett over to the other side of the ground with a voucher for a cup of tea and a hot dog when he arrived at Vicarage Road.
Although ‘Harry’, now 75, is not the type to demand the full silver service treatment when he goes to watch his former clubs, the least they could do is show the old boy a bit of respect.
President Elton John, the man who hired Bassett to succeed Graham Taylor, has always made it clear he is welcome back any time.
Judging by Bassett’s experience, sorry seems to be the hardest word.
MOURINHO NOT KIDDIN’
Jose Mourinho deserves credit for the way he helped develop academy starlet Scott McTominay for Man UtdCredit: AFP or licensors
JOSE MOURINHO was entitled to point out the influence he had on Scott McTominay’s career.
The Special One was Manchester United manager when he promoted him to the first-team squad.
He got the manager’s player of the season in 2018 — an award dreamed up by Mourinho to land a point with established first-team pros.
Athough no longer working for Mourinho, he trained on under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become an integral member of United’s midfield.
Jose, often criticised for his attitude towards academy kids, can certainly take some credit for McTominay’s development.
WAN OF A KIND
IT is remarkable that the biggest influence on Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s career is out of work.
Wan-Bissaka’s performance for Manchester United in last weekend’s 2-1 derby win at the Etihad earned the £50million right-back glowing reviews for keeping Raheem Sterling quiet.
Watching on TV was former Crystal Palace academy manager Richard Shaw, the man who helped Wan-Bissaka on his journey to the first team.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has emerged as one of the top right-backs in the Premier League at Man Utd, while the man who did so much for his at Crystal Palace has lost his jobCredit: Reuters
In an era when people are quick to claim credit for shaping talent, Shaw is first to point out that Kevin Keen converted Wan-Bissaka from middling winger to top-class right-back.
Shaw did the unseen work, hammering the youngster’s phone to make sure he made training on time.
He was a defender himself, brought up the hard way after he was made homeless as a kid and forced to do cleaning jobs with his mother at 6am before going on to train with the Eagles.
Palace, who bizarrely squeezed their former FA Cup finalist out of the academy set-up last month, made a mistake when they let one of their own go.
Given Wan-Bissaka’s rapid progress, Shaw should be a man in demand.
RIGHT NOTE FOR TOON
NOW Steve Bruce has finally proved himself, Newcastle’s fans can finally move on from their beloved Rafa.
Notable wins at Spurs and at home to Manchester United, plus a sneaky victory at Sheffield United, have helped them into 11th place.
Bruce now deserves unconditional support from the Toon fans.
Jeremie Boga shows off amazing free-kick goal for Chelsea U18s
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
