Leon Osman

[bicycleheader]

Cahill can do no wrong? you just listed him in his last season as a supposed whipping boy, he wasn't a 'whipping boy' he was just playing poorly so got criticized more, it's not really that complicated, you play badly, your more likely to get criticized, its a performance industry.

Neville said a top ten finish is an amazing achievement for a club like everton, thats what he said, our captain, he was also terrible in many peoples opinion's, so what he says may get slated more than lets say a good footballer, who will have built up more good will from good performances, as this is a performance industry.

Osman gets criticized when having a go at a popular figure like cahill, people side with cahill not because he loved us, but because he was a better player than osman, show more fight and put more effort in, again, it's a performance industry, its performances that generally increase popularity. It's not about having a whipping boy, though if you want to be some kind of sycophantic superfan, you can praise everyone to hilt all day long, more power to you. Most fans look at the game with a little more scrutiny, as they want their team to do better, when they see something worth criticizing they will, and remember this is a forum, we are not at the game, they aren't booing osman during a match, if he frustrates the hell out of people which he clearly does then this is the perfect place to vent that, no matter how much it disgusts the super fans

Theres many levels in between being a sycophantic superfan and the worst example of the classless internet-warrior modern fan. They are two sides of the same crap coin.

Funnily enough I don´t see any examples of the former on GOT (apart from a certain Barça "fan"), but I have read quite a few of the latter.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

Cahill can do no wrong? you just listed him in his last season as a supposed whipping boy, he wasn't a 'whipping boy' he was just playing poorly so got criticized more, it's not really that complicated, you play badly, your more likely to get criticized, its a performance industry.

Neville said a top ten finish is an amazing achievement for a club like everton, thats what he said, our captain, he was also terrible in many peoples opinion's, so what he says may get slated more than lets say a good footballer, who will have built up more good will from good performances, as this is a performance industry.

Osman gets criticized when having a go at a popular figure like cahill, people side with cahill not because he loved us, but because he was a better player than osman, show more fight and put more effort in, again, it's a performance industry, its performances that generally increase popularity. It's not about having a whipping boy, though if you want to be some kind of sycophantic superfan, you can praise everyone to hilt all day long, more power to you. Most fans look at the game with a little more scrutiny, as they want their team to do better, when they see something worth criticizing they will, and remember this is a forum, we are not at the game, they aren't booing osman during a match, if he frustrates the hell out of people which he clearly does then this is the perfect place to vent that, no matter how much it disgusts the super fans

The "criticism" aimed at Osman on here often goes above and beyond acceptable levels from certain posters, it's very different from chastising a player for poor form and often gets very toxic. Nobody's looking to be some sort of myopic "superfan" who's unwilling to accept our players are above critism, it's just most level headed people realise there's different facets that go into making a good player and making vital contributions or sacrifices for the good of the team. It doesn't simply boil down to outwardly showing more commitment or kissing the badge after scoring, different players and different characters bring different traits and abilities.

Osman may have never reached Cahill like levels of popularity but he certainly doesn't deserve the vitriol aimed at him after 10 years of being a good player for us. The outcry last week over some well chosen quotes from an autobiography was pathetic, and people hid behind their faux outrage just to attack him personally, again. That's partly why some people defended him, and continue to defend him. It's fair enough people having opposing views on players ability or usefulness but the nasty and vindictive posts aimed at a current player are way over the top.

 

[Chang Elephant]

Absolutely crap footballer

 

[tommye]

Let's av it

 

[Elong]

Absolutely crap footballer

So was Straq, but I least I liked the guy.

Not sure how this helps the argument like.

 

[orly]

= Osman Fanboyz (remove space to make the emote work)

 

[JP McMurphy]

Nah that's unfair.

Good player who has given his all for us - whether thats enough for your high standards is obviously up for debate.

Cahill got stick in his last year, Neville obviously and now Osman. GOT loves a scapegoat and its Leons turn.

Ill respect and remember him for being a very decent footballer with quick feet and an eye for goal - all of which are commendable attributes. Throw in the fact that hes a blue through and through and I cant see why anyone would appreciate him for what he is.

Cant understand people like you mate, seemingly who want to forget the good that players have done us, especially in darker years, even if they arent your favourite.

I can't understand people who don't understand what I say; Osman is NOT a scapegoat. I've been saying for a decade that he's not good enough for Everton FC, and I will say that about any player, whether it's his 1st season or his last

 

[toffee matt]

People who sycophanticly defend players at all costs and refuse to criticize anything are just as bad as people who constantly criticize players

 

[mkrudden]

I can't understand people who don't understand what I say; Osman is NOT a scapegoat. I've been saying for a decade that he's not good enough for Everton FC, and I will say that about any player, whether it's his 1st season or his last

two separate things there mate.

First bit

Nah that's unfair.

Good player who has given his all for us - whether thats enough for your high standards is obviously up for debate.

Cahill got stick in his last year, Neville obviously and now Osman. GOT loves a scapegoat and its Leons turn.

Applies to GOT, as it says.

Second bit.

Ill respect and remember him for being a very decent footballer with quick feet and an eye for goal - all of which are commendable attributes. Throw in the fact that hes a blue through and through and I cant see why anyone would appreciate him for what he is.

Cant understand people like you mate, seemingly who want to forget the good that players have done us, especially in darker years, even if they arent your favourite.

The point im directing towards you is that I think at worst Leon has been an average footballer with a few moments of magic. As the years have gone on his influence has waned, naturally.

Tell me mate, during the days of Nyarko, Linderoth, Li Tie, Mark Pembridge etc etc, dont you think Osman was better than most, and with the financial constraints placed upon the club at the time and therefore being relative, and therefore good enough for the club?

Hes been no world beater, but neither was Tim Cahill.

 

[DanEFC92]

Is sycophant the word of the day?

 

[toffee matt]

Is sycophant the word of the day?

I just like using big words to make myself feel more intelligent

 

[Groucho]

He has been good for us over the last decade.

He's not so hot now.

I feel folk over-critisise the lad to be honest. I know he's not up to it these days, but still. Easy target and all that.

 

[diggerdestroyer]

Defend him or slate him he is on the way out anyway. Other players just gotta step up play well and make sure that bobby has no choice to leave him out. He must see something in him like and he was moysies pet too. It's up to the rest of squad to get their act together and take over his position and place

 

[Deleted member 28206]

What does @GrandOldTeam think?

 

[Fresh Prince of Belle Val]

He's been a good player for us, not a great one. Over the last decade there have been much worse players than him. And he has scored some very good and important goals for us. Thankfully we have improved and he should no longer be a first team starter. He's a very good player to have in your squad though and I'd certainly give him another year or two. So long as he knows he's here as back up.