Nathan out to show he has all the best moves
MA N- O F -T H E - M O M E N T Nathan Ferguson hopes to become better known for his footballing ability than dance moves after excelling on his debut.
All eyes were on the 18-year-old after he was named man of the match in West Brom’s 2-1 Championship win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Just like when Ferguson stole the show during a dance-off with Albion mascots in a comical video clip that went viral.
“It’s good to show off different talents!” he joked.
“I’m not just a dancer, I can play football too! I was young, think about 12, and had just gone into high school.
“It did (go viral). Me with the Baggy birds. I won the dance battle, that’s all I can say. So that’s a positive.”
Ferguson, who grew up in Erdington, strut his stuff during a dazzling display at right-back, after the youngster got the nod over £2 million new signing Darnell Furlong.
Any suggestion Furlong’s nose might have been put out of joint were quickly dismissed.
“He’s been great, he’s been helping me out as well and was happy for me to make my debut,” Ferguson said.
“Furlong is a quality player. The lads have been great. The captain (Jake Livermore) has been really welcoming and helped me work on my game. Matty (Phillips) too, so it’s really good.”
Ferguson played predominantly at centre-back for the Under-23s last season and was also a key member of the Under-18s side who reached the FA Youth Cup semi-final.
So starting the senior side’s first game of the season, at right-back, was not on his radar two months ago and represents rapid progression.
“I came in (at the start of summer) with the 23s and got called across to the first team and was told I was travelling with the first team away to
Spain,” the England Under-18 international said. “That’s when I knew I needed to knuckle down, work hard and actually push myself into the starting line-up.”
Ferguson was handed his Baggies’ debut on the strength of some fine performances in pre-season.
Yet it was still a big call from Slaven Bilic to go with the rookie in front of a passionate home crowd at the City Ground. “He’s a great manager,” Ferguson added. “I’m usually centre-back but he’s been able morph me into a right-back.
“He’s seen qualities in me I’m happy he’s seen and I’ve been able to show them off.” a to