Thats my Boy

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Good old Ferguson, hes crocked again

Duncan Ferguson's two goal blast against Charlton Athletic could have cost the Everton striker dearly after he picked up a calf injury. This morning Blue's boss Walter Smith confirmed that Ferguson is already ruled out of next Tuesdays game at White Hart Lane with the calf injury he picked up within minutes of his return to first team action for Everton after his spell at Newcastle United. Smith said the injury has not responded to treatment as quickly as had been hoped and he admitted it was possibly a mistake to have left Ferguson on the park after he had suffered the injury when clattered from behind by a Charlton defender. The Everton manager said; "Duncan should really have come off against Charlton, but with it being his first game back at Goodison he desperately wanted to carry on after taking a heavy knock. "In some respects we're glad he did carry on because he scored two goals but he damaged the muscle by continuing." Ferguson is one of a number of players who won't be considered for first team duty against Tottenham because of injury.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Answers

It's a strange one this. On the one hand his injury is comforting vindication for selling him. On the other, if he doesn't play enough games, we don't get the additional amount for him. And last but not least, I feel sorry for him. He's undeniably a great talent who gives his all, but his persistent injuries mean he'll never be able to fully prove what he's capable of.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

I must admit to a bit of schaudenfroide on this one. As I understand it, it was #3.75m down, rising to #5m if he plays enough games. I can understand the #3.75m bit, bearing in mind his injury record, but if he does prove his fitness, surely we should be recouping the #7-8m we paid for him. We lose a couple of million at least just to have him off the wage bill.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

Dan

You don't think that DF's departure at the knockdown price reflected the doubts over his long term fitness? The extra #1.25m is a whopping 25% increase should Dunc manage to stay on his pegs for more than a week at the time.

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000


How many games does he have to play for us to get the #1.25m?

-- Anonymous, August 31, 2000

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