Brian Kerr and Mick McCarthy speak sense after recent criticism of Evan Ferguson

"I think he progressed a lot quicker than people envisaged."

Brighton were hammered 4-0 by Roma in the Europa League last night and Ferguson was only brought on to play the last nine minutes of the game, which raised some concerns considering that he was an automatic starter at the beginning of the season.

When the young goal-getter bagged a hat-trick against Newcastle back in September, the world was at his feet, but he has now gone 18 games without finding the net, so questions are starting to be asked.

However, the Meath native is still only 19 years old, and Kerr says that this sort of dip is to be expected.

"I think he progressed a lot quicker than people envisaged," Kerr said on Virgin Media Sport. "I think Brighton were surprised that he had such an impact when he got into the team so early, and he was scoring such magnificent goals, and all sorts of goals.

"I also think that it is a fairly natural thing that there is a drop off - the more he plays, the more teams are more aware of him, and more cautious about how to deal with him.

"It was unlikely to continue the way it started for him. I think he is at the right club, and (Roberto) De Zerbi is managing the situation very well, he has other experienced strikers, (Danny) Welbeck is back fit again, like he played in Aleague game at the weekend.

"He is still doing very well, we don't have many players from the Republic of Ireland playing regularly in the Premier League, and he's their youngest, and he has a great career ahead of him.

"I wouldn't be overly concerned about it at all."

McCarthy echoed Kerr's comments and pleaded for patience from those who might be writing the young man off during his first barren spell in front of goal.

"We always look at him, and we always look at Irish players through Irish eyes, and what we think should be best for the Irish national team, which is of course, the right way to do it.

"But Brighton are looking at his development, and I doubt he was going to play 30 games this season as a young man, as Brian says, he came and did wonderfully well, but is very rare that a young lad comes in like that and just keeps going.

"They generally have a dip, and when they do, you have to take them out of the team, and manage them."