Ferguson frustrated by drought as he looks to impress new boss
When Lewis Ferguson scored Aberdeen’s third goal and his own second from the penalty spot in a chaotic 3-3 draw with Celtic in October, it seemed only a matter of time until he reached double figures.
It is surprising, therefore, to note that, more than six months later, Ferguson remains on nine goals. He has not hit the net since that Celtic match. It seems incumbent to record a shot against Livingston in February where the ball might well have crossed the line when rebounding off the bar and post. The officials that night judged it had not.
Then there is a good save from Dumbarton goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom in last week’s 1-0 Scottish Cup win that prevented Ferguson from opening the scoring.
Another source of frustration was the booking he recently received for simulation against Dundee United when it looked for all the world like he had been pushed over in the box by Calum Butcher. Referee Greg Aitken thought otherwise. It was not much help to Aberdeen’s cause when the yellow card was later overturned on appeal.
Ferguson might well have taken the kick – after all, he scored that high-pressure penalty earlier in the season against Celtic. The upshot of all this is that the midfielder is still in search of his tenth goal of the season.
His personal struggle in that department reflects a wider, more serious problem for
Aberdeen. He remains, by some distance, the club’s highest goalscorer this season.
As welcome as Ferguson’s early scoring run was for his side, he is not expected to provide their goal threat. After all, he only scored three times in the previous campaign.
He does, however, feel a responsibility for Aberdeen’s current goalscoring woes. His side have scored just twice in their last 11 games – and both of those were struck by a player who is not even one of their
own. Callum Hendry is onloan from today’s opponents St Johnstone and so is not even on hand to help out this afternoon at Mcdiarmid Park .
“I was really enjoying it, I was scoring goals and we were playing well,” said Ferguson. “It is difficult and at times you just need one to come off your backside, but unfortunately it hasn’t happened. I’ve not had many chances apart from the one at the weekend, where the goalkeeper has made a brilliant save.
“There have been a few here and there, where I should have scored, but you need little things to go your way.
“I need to get back on the scoresheet after such a long run.”
It seems inconceivable that this was not addressed in a phone conversation with incoming manager Stephen Glass.
Ferguson revealed the pair enjoyed a 15-minute chat earlier this week, part of which detailed the ways in which
to get the best from the midfielder.
With Scott Brown due to arrive ahead of next season, there might be an opportunity for Ferguson to play further forward.
“He (Glass) was chatting about the games recently and how I have felt in the game,” said Ferguson. “He spoke about the rest of this season and next season and we really need to knuckle down over these last five games because they are massive for us.”