Tony Cascarino discusses Duncan Ferguson’s tactics during Everton managerial debut

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Duncan Ferguson inspired an immediate response in his very first match as stand-in Everton manager, overseeing a 3-1 home victory over Chelsea.

The Scot clinched a win on his managerial debut thanks to Richarlison’s opening goal and a double from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking in the Times, Tony Cascarino was keen to praise Ferguson’s decision to pair the 22-year-old Brazilian with the Englishman signed for £1.5 million (Sky Sports) from Sheffield United in 2016.

But he also wondered why Ferguson was unable to convince Silva to do the same when he was in charge, saying: “More managers will abandon the trend for a lone striker soon in favour of playing two up front. Duncan Ferguson took the reins at Everton and went with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, reaping instant dividends.

“Did Ferguson never think of suggesting to the under-pressure Marco Silva that he changed his tactics to suit the players he had before it was too late? Ferguson picked a team to play not just in his image, but in a style that suited them and not some rigid system.”

TBR’s View – Perhaps 3-5-2 might blend Silva’s and Ferguson’s ideas

Ferguson’s managerial debut was very impressive but it would be a surprise if a standard 4-4-2 system was the long-term solution for Everton.

There were signs of life for Silva against Leicester with a three-man backline, so perhaps a 3-5-2 system that blends that with Ferguson’s two-pronged attack could be the way forward.

That said, Ferguson may only be in charge for a short period of time and the simple 4-4-2 could continue to provide the much-needed ‘new manager bounce’ Everton need. It worked a treat on Saturday.