Big Man To Sign Next Week

We should know next week if Big Dunc accepts a new deal to stay at the Blues, which will undoubtedly mean a huge pay cut for the Big Scot. Dunc who has been a fixture around Goodison for over ten years now, apart form his short stay in the North East, is expected to sign on the dotted line, and know one will be happier than Moyesy.

This season has seen Dunc back to his best, mainly coming on from the bench, but playing a huge role in Everton's qualification for the Champions League.

Moyesy says: "He is here and as long as he remains strong and fit he will be considered with everybody else. Does he epitomise Everton? Yes, in a lot of ways. We are more than just a side that fights but he is very committed and wants to do well.

There is a loyalty to the club, when you come here, it is something that grabs hold of you. It makes you want to do the best you can and if you do that the public here accept you. Duncan became very important to us. He played much of the season as a substitute, and a very effective one. Duncan had a lot of problems with injuries, but he has been free of those and his training has been better. He has been able to get more work in and it went okay for us.

He was an excellent person to come off the bench and that suited us. He has started several games recently, the Manchester United one comes to mind when on the night he was the Duncan Ferguson of old and the one we all knew. But we will continue to use him in that way, we hope to keep him next season and it will be for similar purposes." (20/05/05)

Unplayable

Duncan is really at the top of his game and his team-mates are heaping the praise on him. I wonder what European teams would make of Duncan. It would be nice to see him against Marco Matterrazi next season.

Nigel Martyn says: "Duncan has got quite a few important goals for us this season, coming on as substitute in particular. Now it's been two in a week for us and they were both big goals. On his day he is unplayable, and we are seeing him at his very best at the moment, he doesn't seem to lose a header out there."

Tiny Tim says: "Duncan is a true professional. When he isn't playing, he is always in on his days off and when he is playing he has real presence. People say he has a wild side, but I wouldn't change one bit of him. That's what makes him Duncan Ferguson, he is a great player to play with and has shown again how he is worth his weight in gold.

"You saw Birmingham took a step back when he came on. That's his presence. He affects defenders mentally and he is in a rich vein of form and we have to try and exploit that and get as much out of it as we can. He has been injured and left out here and there, but he is showing his true colours and we are flying as a result."(25/04/05)

Back To His Best

Davey Moyes was delighted with Big Dunc's Man of The Match performance against the Mancs on Wednesday night. As well as the winning goal, Moyesy was chuffed with the Big Man's work rate. Somehow though, I don't think we will be seeing him in the starting line up tomorrow, as he looked absolutely knackered as he came off.

Moyesy says: "Everybody knows that Duncan’s record against Manchester United is excellent. He didn’t stop running all night, which maybe disproved a couple of things, he showed great energy and he showed that he’s a big time player for the big occasion. There’s not many people with his record. He took his goal really well. I’ve got to say that it was an excellent delivery from Mikel Arteta that gave Duncan a chance to finish it off. He’s had a great record but more important than his goal for me was how hard he worked. His all round team play was as good as I’ve seen from Duncan for a long time." (22/04/05)

Duncan a Doubt

More great team news for Moyesy ahead of Saturdays cup tie with Man ure. Big Dunc is nursing a back injury, and is a major doubt for Everton's threadbare squad. Along with suspensions to Tiny and Biffa, Moyesy also has doubts over Faddy, and Ossie. Don't worry Davey, they said we would be relegated. We are at our best when no one gives us a hope in hell.

Moyesy says: "Duncan Ferguson has a sore back and it is making him very doubtful for Saturday’s game.

We knew there would be parts of the season that would be difficult but we are fully aware of it and I suppose that in a lot of ways we would rather it be in the FA Cup where we had them." (16/02/05)

No Chance

Ex Everton manager Walter Smith is not going to ask Big Dunc to come out of International exile, after persuading Davey Weir to do just that. Dunc has banned himself from ever appearing for the National side again, after the appalling treatment he received from the Scottish FA. He was sent to prison in 1994, after an altercation on the pitch whilst at Rangers, and he remembers the Scots heirachy not lifting a finger to help his case.

Walter has not even asked the question to the Big Man, and he thought it might be easier trying to get the Rev. Ian Paisley over to Celtic's ground for a day out.

Walter says: "I think Duncan's situation is fairly straightforward and I know the background to that one too having been his manager at Rangers. He is sticking by his decision and I respect that. He has said to me on occasions previously that he wouldn't change his mind so I didn't see any point in asking him to." (31/01/05)

Big Dunc Was Right

The prick who started Sunday's brawl up at Boro, Bolo Zenden is realising how much bother he may have got the two teams in, with his hasty reaction to Dunc's challenge on Mark Schwarzer. Zenden reckons as we do, that the Big Man had every right to go for the loose ball in the Boro penalty area. He also says he is a big tit, and he lovers cheese like most Dutch men. There is however no truth in the rumour that Dunc told him as they left the pitch, that he knew where he lived.

Zenden says: "Schwarzer got the ball, dropped the ball and then picked it up. I thought Ferguson came in a bit too late and hit Mark right on the nose. I don't think he would disagree with that. I was standing next to it so that's why I got involved. But things like this happen and the referee dealt fairly well with it. Ferguson may have gone in a bit late but he still tried to go for the ball. I don't think there was anything too serious in his challenge. There wasn't that much that went on in the net and I think the referee was right not to go on about it too much. That should be the end of it." (19/01/05)

Bid Dunc Back With A Bang

Returning from a 3 match suspension, Big Dunc came on for the last 15 minutes against Boro and was in the thick of the action from the start. He headed down for Tim Cahill to score and minutes later he went for a ball with goalkeeper Schwarzer and ended in a heap on top of him. The Boro players didn't like it and all started pushing and shoving. Dunc got up and a big 18 man scrum ended up in the net. Great fun.

Moyesy says: “ Duncan is an excellent player. A top player. I'm happy with him and he will continue to be vital for us for the rest of the season. The goalkeeper dropped the ball and Duncan went for it. When I was a player I would have gone for it and I would expect my players to do the same. It looked worse than it was because it was in such a confined space.” (16/01/05)

Sent Off Again

Big Dunc did himself no favour's regarding a new contract when he was sent off against Charlton for elbowing an opponent. He will now miss the next 3 games. We don't believe he got sent off deliberately so he could spend The New Year Celebrations in Scotland. Moyesy was furious with Ferguson, but kept quiet on the incident.

Moyesy says: “It was a sending-off.” (29/12/04)

Dunc Fit For Derby

Big Dunc was let off training for a few days this week, so he could go Christmas shopping. He'll be back today and will take his place in the squad for the derby on Saturday. The knocks he took to his knee and neck are fine.

Baz says: “Duncan took a knock to his knee during the game last Saturday and it meant him missing a couple of training sessions. But he’s making good progress and hopefully he will join in training with the rest of the squad at Bellefield on Thursday.” (09/12/04)

Dunc Delivers

Big Dunc made his first start of the season against notloB, and Moyesy was chuffed with him. Dunc scored Everton’s first and got the free kick, which led to Tommy Gravesen's goal.

Moyesy says: “Duncan delivered for me. He was back because of the type of game it was. He was brought in for his physical presence both in our box and theirs. We lost a goal from a corner, which I hoped wouldn’t happen with our extra size and strength, but he came up trumps just before half time and not only that, he earned the free-kick for the second goal as well. He’s played a part in the game.” (06/12/04)

Call Up ?

Duncan Ferguson may be getting a call from his old boss at Everton, who is now head coach of Scotland. Walter Smith has not ruled out calling the Big Man to see if he will turn out for his country. Dunc has ruled himself out of playing for Scotland, since the SFA refused to intervene, as the Big Man was sent to prison over an on pitch incident, whilst at Rangers.

Walter The Scotland Boss says: "Once I sit down and look at the squad and I think there is a player who can enhance it, then I will approach them. If he says he doesn't want to play I will ask him why and try to get them to change their mind." (03/12/04)

Definitely Maybe

After his winner on Saturday there have been suggestions that he should start against the barcodes. The boss has added his thoughts to the debate and cleared it up for everyone.

Moyesy says: "We will start him in a lot of games this season - that will happen. We have got more than one string to our violin. We can play in many different ways and there will be times when that could mean starting with Duncan. We have been working on a number of different things in training and we are always looking at our options based on who we are playing."

Moyesy has got most things right this season and the big fella has been on top form when called upon so lets leave them to it. (25/11/04)

Your The Man

Tiny Tim has added his name to the growing band of players who are praising the Big Man for his match winning performances when he comes on from the bench. Big Dunc who came on to head home the winner last Saturday, is getting a growing band of admirers to his cause. Deservedly so we say, and there are no truths in the rumours, that a little pressure was put on the players to what they have said by the rock hard Scots man.

Tiny Tim says: "Duncan Ferguson’s done it on numerous occasions, not only this year for us but for Everton and the other clubs he’s been at during his career. When he comes on he’s got a presence and he wins a lot of balls in the air, so people get scared of him. I think he puts them on the back foot and he shows what a great striker he is. He can do it any time and we’re just thankful that he did it for us at the right time to give us the three points and help keep us near the top of the table." (24/11/04)

Well Played Mate

Captain Alan Stubbs is heaping praise on Saturdays match winner Big Dunc. Both players who are well into their final years of their contracts have been magnificent for the Blues this season. Stubbsy however has picked out a special mention for his long time pal, who he believes is working hard in training, which is paying off handsomely when match day comes around.

Stubbsy says: "Duncan was on hand to put the ball in and he did well to be in that position, because it was at an awkward angle for him. All credit to him, he deserves it. He’s done great to get where he is at the moment. When you work hard in training, as Duncan has, you usually get your rewards and he has got that. When he comes on, the fans respond. At the time, I think it was the right decision to bring him on. They were smothering Marcus and our midfield and it was difficult for us." (22/11/04)

Praise For Dunc

One time Everton target, but now Norwich player, Thomas Helveg has praised Everton's match winner from Saturday, Big Dunc. Helveg thinks that old fashioned centre forwards like the Big Man will never go out of fashion. On hearing this Latch the Snatch rang Moyesy to see if his services were required.

Helveg says: "I noticed when he came on and had a good look at him. He's not moving that much. He's not a man running 10 metres here and 10 metres there. He's just waiting for the right moment and it came. Scoring goals is what he's paid for and he might be clever just to show up in the box when it matters. If people say he's an old fashioned player, fine, but I would say that's a fashion that is never out of style!" (25/10/04)

Influence

Big Dunc again come off the bench for the ninth time this to cause panic in the opposition defence that led to the Leon's winner. The boss is pleased with his contributions.

Moyesy says: "He has always had a presence throughtout his career. He is a terrific footballer and always has been. He has come on for several games this season and made things happen and he done this again today."(17/10/04)

Wolves in For Dunc

Ex Everton old boy and current Wolves manager Dave Jones is believed to be in the hunt for Big Dunc. Wolves who have an injury crisis are said to be in the hunt for a new striker, with the big Scotsman heading his list. The only stumbling block may be the strikers wage, which is currently half a million pounds a week. Moyesy is reluctant to let the big yin go from his already small squad.

Moyesy says: “We’re not keen on letting anybody go. We’ve let too many go to be able to allow any other people to go out. We’re looking to add rather than let go.” (19/08/04)

Dunc To Stay at Home

One player not making the trip to the States, will be Big Dunc, as unfortunately after his little spell inside his criminal record bars him. Everton could apply for a special visa for the big man, but time is not on our side. With The Duke injured, The Rad on his way south, Moyesy is left with very little attacking options for his State side trip. (22/07/04)

Dunc Says No

Duncan says no to a pay off. He is in the squad that has jetted off to Austria for the summer training camp. Thank God for that at least someone has decided to stay.(10/07/04)

Dunc To Be Offered Pay Off

It is believed that Everton will offer Big Dunc a £500,000 pay off to leave the club now. The Big Man who is due to earn at least another £2 million in wages at the Blues, before his contract expires next year, is causing the Blues money men major headaches. The number crunchers at Goodison have been trying to work out, how to finance The Duke's proposed five year £12 million pound package. Unfortunately for Dunc, he may be one of the casualties, but he holds all the aces, and he might decide to sit tight till his contract run's its course. (09/07/04)

Duncan Last Season