Sport nationAlan Shearer, the legendary Newcastle United striker, has lavished praise on former Everton forward Duncan Ferguson, hailing him as an “unbelievable” player who “petrified” defenders. Shearer’s comments came during an appearance on the Rest is Football Podcast, where he shared his admiration for Ferguson’s intimidating presence on the pitch.
Ferguson, affectionately known as “Big Duncan,” was a formidable striker who played for Everton from 1994 to 2006. His physicality, aerial ability, and goal-scoring prowess made him a nightmare for defenders to face. Shearer, who played against Ferguson during his time at Newcastle, recalled the fear factor that the Scot possessed.
“You could see that, standing in the tunnel, the defenders were absolutely petrified of him,” Shearer said. “They were scared to even look at him at times. Honestly, he was a great lad and a brilliant player.”
Ferguson’s reputation as a dominant force in the box was built on his impressive heading ability, which earned him a record 36 headed goals in the Premier League before Harry Kane broke it in 2023. His aerial prowess was a key aspect of his game, and Shearer wasn’t the only one to take notice.
French legend Marcel Desailly recently praised Ferguson as the best header of a football he’s ever seen, while former Arsenal defender Martin Keown wrote in 2013: “The sheer height of the man made him so difficult to mark. And he had a leap to go with it. He really attacked the ball with venom.”
Ferguson’s career was marked by injuries, which limited his playing time and potential. Despite this, he remains a beloved figure at Everton, where he is still involved as a coach. His legacy as a player continues to inspire admiration from his peers and fans alike.
Shearer’s comments about Ferguson’s fear factor are a testament to the Scot’s ability to intimidate opponents. His physical presence and aggressive playing style made him a handful for defenders, who often struggled to contain him.
In addition to his heading ability and physicality, Ferguson was also known for his quick feet and good touch. Shearer praised these aspects of his game, saying: “He was quick, had very good touch, was unbelievable in the air when crosses were coming into the box, and he had the fear factor.”
Ferguson’s reputation as a hard man but a fair player is also worth noting. Despite his intimidating presence, he was respected by his peers for his sportsmanship and professionalism.
In conclusion, Alan Shearer’s praise for Duncan Ferguson is a reminder of the Scot’s impressive abilities as a player. His heading ability, physicality, and fear factor made him a dominant force in the Premier League, and his legacy continues to inspire admiration from fans and players alike.
Here are the names of people mentioned in the news story:
- Alan Shearer
- Duncan Ferguson
- Gary Lineker
- Micah Richards
- Harry Kane
- Marcel Desailly
- Martin Keown
- Sean Dyche
- Wayne Rooney
- Romelu Lukaku
- Louis Saha
- Yakubu
- Dixie Dean
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