Brighton U21 coach Gary Dicker hails Evan Ferguson's mentality

Brighton and Hove Albion under-21 assistant coach Gary Dicker believes that Evan Ferguson's mentality and upbringing are the key reasons for the Irish striker's rise to prominence this season for both club and country, despite being just 18 years old.

The former UCD midfielder returned to the Amex Stadium in 2021 as a player-coach with the U21 team, having left the club eight years prior.

Since then, the Dubliner has retired and is now the current U21 assistant coach to Shannon Ruth.

Brighton U21’s achieved a respectable 6th place in the Premier League 2 this season, earning impressive victories against Chelsea and Manchester United.

Dicker joined us on the extratime.com podcast this week. When asked about his first impression of Evan Ferguson after he arrived in the U21 side, he replied, "He was in it before I came back. I think he was 16 when he first came over. I played with him as one of the over-aged players.

"I think I've said it in interviews, everyone jumps on the bandwagon saying they've produced this player, but at the end of the day, I always say it. No coach or manager will make you better at that age, but getting through at a young age is all about your mentality," Dicker disclosed.

"It's all about what you do day to day and for him, I'll always say that his mentality of not changing, doing the same stuff and working hard has helped him.”

Ferguson made his Premier League debut in 2022, initially under former Seagull boss Graham Potter, and since then, he has gone from strength to strength.

In his first full season with the first team, the Bettystown man scored ten goals in all competitions in 25 appearances.

The former Kilmarnock midfielder credits Ferguson’s upbringing back home in Ireland for his ability to cope with stardom at such a young age, when others before him have struggled.

"Listen, he scored against Arsenal, scored against other teams, playing Liverpool, scoring against Everton away, and you can sit and chat with him and it would be no different. While some lads would be climbing the walls, walking about with all sorts on, giving it this and that.

"It’s probably a credit to him, his family, and the people around him, and his own upbringing. He’s so grounded, I couldn't speak highly enough of him, to be honest with you."

The former St. Kevin’s Boys schoolboy rose to national attention when he made his first-team debut for Bohemians in a friendly against Chelsea in 2018.

It was clear from the onset that the Brighton forward was a talented footballer, as Dicker added, "His football ability is such that probably only a man on the moon couldn't see it from a young age.

"You probably saw it a lot sooner with Bohs coming through and it’s a credit to himself. It’s easy to dip when you’re a high performer at 15 and the majority of them usually don't last the pace at 17 or 18, when everyone starts to catch up."

The Brighton coach spoke about the pressure on Ferguson's shoulders when playing in the green jersey. Since the retirement of Robbie Keane in 2016, the Irish national team has struggled to replace the regularity of goals from one consistent sources.

This has been lamented by previous national team managers such as Martin O’Neill, often citing that 'we don't have a prolific goal scorer' in his press conferences.

Dicker explained, "That pressure at that age, I think people forget. I was only speaking to people in the office yesterday. I don’t think people at Brighton realise the pressure that is on him in Ireland and being back in Ireland. There's this perception that he’s the saviour now, and the pressure that comes with that.

"Everyone thinks he’s the next Robbie Keane. He’s 18, he’s got a handful of caps and two goals. How he deals with that as a person, with his family, I can’t speak highly enough of him."

Dicker commended former Brighton academy manager John Morling for bringing Ferguson to the south coast of England, along with other fledgling Irish players such as Andy Moran and James Furlong.

Speaking about the initial impression the Meath man made when he first arrived at the club, he revealed, "I think one of the coaches said on one of their first days doing a finishing session with him and he’s smashing it in left, right, volleys, the lot and then they said ‘ooof’.

"When they looked at him and thought maybe he’d play with the U18s, I think he played a game with the 18s and that was it. He was straight in with the 21s at 16.

"I think they knew. When I’m looking at this, we have to get him into the first team. What we’re trying to do is add little bits to him. Listen, he’s got unbelievable talent, so it’s probably us who have to nurture it and develop his tactical understanding and understanding of the game."

Dicker spoke of his excitement for Ferguson getting to work under Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and the education he is currently receiving.

Since the Italian’s arrival last September, Brighton had their highest finish in the Premier League, coming 6th and qualifying for the Europa League.

"You probably won’t see it as much, but he’s learning so much about the game,” said the Brighton coach.

“I remember speaking to him (Ferguson), talking to him about his positions without the ball, and I’m saying ‘wow’. You’re dropping in there, understanding the play at the back of the midfield before you press the centre halves.

"He's laughing at me saying, 'I don’t even know what I’m doing half the time, Dixie, I’m just doing it!' So he’s learning so much from the manager and from playing with the players."

Dicker noted that it’s important to remember the age of the Irishman.

"We've got to remember that he’s an 18-year-old who wants to do what 18-year-olds normally do in life. Go out and relax, hang out with your mates, mess about and be a child a little bit.

"The club is quite good at that. He still does that. He hangs out with the lads in the 18s. He could have still played in the Youth Cup, and I still think he can play in the Youth Cup this year which is mental when you think about it. But I think it’s just important not to add any more pressure to him. Let him enjoy his football.”

To listen to the entire conversation with Gary Dicker, tune into the latest episode of the extratime.com podcast.