after a four-month exile from the team, most of which was spent on loan at fleetwood town (the only loan move of his career), ferguson was reinstated to the side by paul ince on 20 february in his first game in charge, a 2–0 defeat at leeds united. he had been named as a substitute for the previous couple of games, under the caretaker-managership of steve thompson. he was given the captain's armband, in the absence of alex baptiste, for the home victory over derby county on 26 april.