This is spot on. If you listen to Unsworth talk about experienced players getting involved he bemoans how little it happens nowadays and is probably one of the weaknesses in our under 21's, that it there are very few first team players who have a game with them.
If you take firstly Osman, here is a lad who has come through our youth system, is a full England International and has made 400 appearances for Everton. He has won at Wembley playing for Everton and played in cup Finals and countless semi finals. As a role model you can't really get much better than that. He is a walking embodiment of what is possible for every young player in that team, especially so given he didn't make his debut until he was 22/23.
He is also taking an increasing interest in the reserves, what with his commentary for the mini derby. I expect to see him being increasingly involved in this and may well move into the coaching side of it in a couple of years. I know some people hate him, I think it's a great shame he is spoken of in the way that he is. Most clubs eulogise players who've come through their academy, particularly one club men. Look at how United talk about Butt or Phil Neville, very limited players but treated with the upmost respect from their fans. The same with Carragher at Liverpool.
It does sadden me somewhat that sections of our fans are so hard on Osman and have never really recognised what he offers to the team and the value of him and Hibbert have on being locals lads who played close to 800 games for the club.
As for Gibson it is more complicated. He has obviously made a number of high profile mistakes. In truth I think he is a very unhappy man, primarily because of a series of injuries have curtailed what was a very promising career. I am not trying to justify his recent actions, I don't have much sympathy for him but there has to be an understanding.
Just when he had fought his way back into Martinez's plans he gets a freak broken metatarsal. It must have been heart wrenching for him.
Aside form that though, on the pitch I've always felt Gibson was a top professional. He is a real winner and a very talented player. This is a lad lest we forget who has won league titles and just about every top honour a player could wish to win. He was central in a Manchester United team that won a European cup Semi final 4-0 and was brilliant in that game.
Some of that is bound to rub off on our young players. How he warms up, what he does in the 10 minutes before kick off. How he prepares etc. Maybe some of them will even look at him and think "I don't want to waste my talent like him" and it will drive them on. Some may look at them and think "I'm as good as him" and it could give them that confidence to push towards the first team.
Whatever people's personal opinions about both players as footballers and as people shouldn't cloud the issue that to play with them and be around them for young players will make a huge difference.
Excellent post.
Osman and Hibbert are exactly what our youngsters should be looking towards. Yes Hibbert is limited on the ball, but has managed 15 years at a Premiership club through realising his limitations and working extremely hard on all facets of his game. Osman is far from limited in my opinion, he is an excellent technical player and suffered at times with our fans because of his willingness to play anywhere for the team.
Another thing that is an example for our youngsters is that I cannot remember either of these players receiving any negative press throughout their careers.