Why this season may not mean the end for improving Ferguson

Nov 23 2004 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

I FEEL as if I could submit the same column about Everton every week this season, as their games seem to follow the same pattern.

Commitment, effort and a dash of inspiration have led to plenty of 1-0 victories this term, which is why they are so high in the table.

However one thing which is different is the contribution Duncan Ferguson (left) is making of late.

The big Scotsman scored at the weekend obviously, his third of the season, but it is not just his goalscoring that has impressed me.

It is the quality of his all-round play which has improved from recent seasons.

In the past, when Duncan has played - which has been a rare event given his injury record - he has looked one-dimensional at times in terms of just being a knock-down merchant for his fellow striker.

Everyone, including opposition defenders, knew what to expect.

Now however he is coming off the bench and is producing half-an-hour or so of the highest quality.

What's more, he is doing it in a confident team which is used to winning. Of course, the question now is whether Ferguson will be doing it next season at Goodison Park?

In an ideal world, I think he would love to stay. At the moment, I am not sure he will be, but I wouldn't rule it out either.

Obviously if he does stay on it will not be on his current wage level.

Given his fitness record and age, I would imagine any deal he is offered will be on a pay-as-you-play basis, with a fairly low wage and a bonus system for appearances and goals.

Still, the fact we are even discussing him staying on shows he has improved given that at the start of the season, people seemed to be rub-bing their hands at the thought of finally getting him off the wage bill.

From his perspective, he has to know that if he keeps on making a positive contribution and scoring goals, then it can only strengthen his case to stay.

Given that if he is offered any contract, it will also be on greatly reduced terms than he is on at the moment, he also has to understand that he is not going to get that wage level anywhere else. Who would take that kind of risk?

In any case, I would be surprised if David Moyes makes a decision on Duncan Ferguson's future before March or April next year.

Why should he? If the striker is still playing well then and has done so consistently in the meantime, there will still be plenty of time to make a deal which will suit the player and the club.

* Mark Lawrenson was talking to NEIL MACDONALD

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