Leon Osman

Toffeelover · January 12, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
So why did we keep giving him new contracts?

Squad player or incredibly bad judgement.

Dithering Dougie · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Squad player or incredibly bad judgement.

Two highly respected football managers continually picked him and both extended his contract for a very good reason.

BirkenheadBlue · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Because no other club wanted him, they could see he was not good enough so we had to keep him.

One of the top 5-8 clubs in the country kept renewing his contract, and playing him in important games. Yes he was clearly only here because no other club wanted him.

EFCPaul · January 12, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
If he's been as poor as you're insinuating how come he got to play so often for one of the top teams over the last 5 years?

God only knows.

EFCPaul · January 12, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
So why did we keep giving him new contracts?

Again, God only knows. We're a joke when it comes to giving useless/old players new contracts, the fact that Hibbert actually got one truly offended me.

Toffeelover · January 12, 2015

Groucho commented that players should know when to hang up their boots rather than hang on.

The Cowboy · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Groucho commented that players should know when to hang up their boots rather than hang on.

That's utterly ridiculous. That's his job, first and foremost. He will be aware that youngsters will be coming through to take his place. But he should not just step aside if he feels he's capable. It maintains competition and ensures the youngsters don't just get a free pass into the first team.

Goat · January 12, 2015

Dithering Dougie said:
Two highly respected football managers continually picked him and both extended his contract for a very good reason.

Cos he was a little grass.

Joey66 · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Because no other club wanted him, they could see he was not good enough so we had to keep him.

Wrong - two clubs one at Derby made bids - the other club offered half a million - DM called him back off loan and played him in the first team - he was a great success at Derby, and we were 17th in thE Prem!
Ossis shouLd have played at least a full season instead of his 2nd loan spell - it was the era when DM was playing has beens like Gazza etc!

Chang Elephant · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Squad player or incredibly bad judgement.

Incredibly bad judgement

Woolly Blue · January 12, 2015

Decent player, if he has to retire we need someone with similar skills, ideally with a hell of a lot more upper body strength, in the squad.
Gets a lot of grief on here, but it's not his fault he happens to be playing football at a time when half way decent players with a bit of skill are paid stupid amounts.

Groucho · January 12, 2015

The Cowboy said:
That's utterly ridiculous. That's his job, first and foremost. He will be aware that youngsters will be coming through to take his place. But he should not just step aside if he feels he's capable. It maintains competition and ensures the youngsters don't just get a free pass into the first team.

Utterly ridiculous? That's a bit strong.

My original point being they should recognise when to stop a là Phil Neville - he knew he couldn't carry on at this level so packed up. I'm not suggesting Osman should simply give his place up with no fight, or that he was at that stage when my point was made.

streeky · January 12, 2015

One of the most intelligent footballers in this squad. His blind side runs passing and moving into space and forward passes are better than nearly any player in our midfield, But hey why bother noticing that when we have "small man knocked off ball shocker".

The Cowboy · January 12, 2015

Groucho said:
Utterly ridiculous? That's a bit strong.

My original point being they should recognise when to stop a là Phil Neville - he knew he couldn't carry on at this level so packed up. I'm not suggesting Osman should simply give his place up with no fight, or that he was at that stage when my point was made.

Yes I'm quite sure Neville just decided one day that it was time to go. There will have been no word from the manager at all that his time was up.

There was a clear suggestion that Osman should have already fallen on his sword and took a hike. A suggestion by his haters, no doubt. A veteran player should quit when the manager tells them they're no longer wanted. They should not be expected to make that call themselves.

Groucho · January 12, 2015

Toffeelover said:
Groucho commented that players should know when to hang up their boots rather than hang on.

The Cowboy said:
That's utterly ridiculous. That's his job, first and foremost. He will be aware that youngsters will be coming through to take his place. But he should not just step aside if he feels he's capable. It maintains competition and ensures the youngsters don't just get a free pass into the first team.

The Cowboy said:
Yes I'm quite sure Neville just decided one day that it was time to go. There will have been no word from the manager at all that his time was up.

There was a clear suggestion that Osman should have already fallen on his sword and took a hike. A suggestion by his haters, no doubt. A veteran player should quit when the manager tells them they're no longer wanted. They should not be expected to make that call themselves.

I agree entirely. I just take exception to being labelled utterly ridiculous.