The conundrum known as Leon Osman

[monty]

Osman has had a chequered career at GP in fact he nearly didn't make it to the first team as he had been farmed out on loan to Derby and that club were very keen to sign him.

Following the arrival of David Moyes Ossie has flourished to the extent that he became a first team regular, fitting into the squad like Trevor Steven did all those years ago. For some blues he has never been a favourite but most appreciate the work and effort he normally puts in. His stature is not great, say 10st soaking wet after a big chip supper and as a result he can be bossed by more forceful opposing players, when this happens, IMO he has developed a tendency to 'go missing' in matches.

Yesterday at Watford he scored a great goal, in truth their goalie left himself poorly positioned but it still needed striking and Ossie did that magnificently. At that time a thought struck my mind, what are we going to do with Ossie. Fernandes has fitted in nicely, based on yesterdays performance. He is a much stronger player than Ossie because he is bigger and physically more powerful. This means that Ossie, despite that great goal, must be destined to become a bench warmer, a squad player who is not an automatic choice for the first eleven, in other words demotion.

What do you think and if you agree with my conclusion do you think he'll stay at Goodison Park?

 

[SuitsBlue]

its a tough one, it relies on some other variables, if we stay 5 in midfield and one up front, then osman will get games, if moyes decided 4-4-2 is the way, osman will be a 'bit part player' and i suspect will eventually get pissed off.

fernandes, arteta and especially cahill will pick up yellow cards throughout a season, so having a capable midfielder on the bench for such suspensions will of course be necessary. osman has proven time and again he can score goals if he can get forward, but again its down to moyes, is the first attacking sub going to be beattie or anichebe, if for instance he takes cahill off.

As the squad stands now, its the left mid side that is the gaping hole in our first 11, vdm has promised so much and has yet to appear, osman has been tried there and has done ok in parts, but really we need a solid left footer - either a strong solid midfielder that can pass well, or a pacey and tricky winger that can get excellent crosses in time after time.

this again is variable on whether moyes opts for 5 in the middle, a winger requires bodies in the box to aim at.

my final word on osman, he has the technical ability, but is too slight of stature, if he could put a stone or two of muscle on, it would in my opinion do him the world of good.

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

No I believe there will, and should be, definate oppourtunities for Osman in the future. Our perennial injury/suspension list alone will let him in, as will our tendency to go for a 5-man midfield, or the fact we haven't even signed Fernandes permenantly. He can play central, on the wings or behind the striker and that versatility is key, I believe Osman still has a chance to showcase his brilliant form of last season.

 

[ever tony an]

i will upload a vid of leon i made new years eve later (i got to go to work now)
when i made it and posted links to it people commented on how it showed his value to our team. sadly someone complained about it and it was removed from youtube

most prob wont like the music tho, its bartezz and dance music but hey turn the sound down and just watch him go

 

[Cal]

Under-rated player, fickle fans will start making him a scapegoat and not look at his past form with us last season and the year before.

Hes a good player with a good touch and some nice trickery but lacks strength and pace.

Still hes a good player to have, take his 3rd goal on saturday for example.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Fernandes has great skills afoot and I agree with all a youthful pedigree that will only get better with time around his mates here at the club. Ossie has a place but perhaps not ina starting vein. Definite a good compliment when injuries or suspensions start to creep in. If on a Europe run we have to have him. I really don't want to part with him likw we did Davies I rate him much higher. We have to negociate Manny to stay with us perhaps with a top six he will be more than willing to do this and keep Arteta also. I feel 10 million is a lot of money I'm hopeful a restructuring could be entertained. We direly need a couple of more instrumental purchases to keep our squad tuned to the changing of the game.

 

[Neiler]

Ossie is a player i have always liked admittedly he is slight in frame and this can be a hinderence but he has a heart and tenacity and i beleive great techniuque and ability. Again i think we forget how young Ossie is.

For me he contributes an awfull lot to our results and performerences this season alone i can remember him getting the winner against west ham, i think he scored at spurs away and remember thinking he was man of the match in that game aswell. quality goal at the weekend. To be fair to Ossie when hes on the ball he shows a lot of guile hes not one of these platyers whol play the safe ball back hel always try and create. i also recall the year we got into Europe he scored about six or seven. Remeber being at norwicth away that year being two up at half time, and conceading two quickly eventually won three two but Ossie had a stormer.

Long term i cant see Ossie being consistently in the starting elevan especially if we keep fernades i beleive the spine of the team is sorted. With this iin mind i would like to saee us develop more width signing and playing more conventional wingers. With this in mind Ossie's regular place could be in jepordy but i dont think he will be a disapearing act i think he willbe a vital and used squad player. I guess the point is for a long time us fans have been crying out for squad depth and quality replacements with injuries and suspensions, loss of form. This imo will be Ossies role in the team in the future wheather he will be accepting of this or will the boared be happy with a sellable assest kicking his heels is another question.

 

[Rob]

Easy, was thinking about this yesterday.

Osman should be used as a super sub or our ace up the sleeve, against tired legs and tired heads I think he would have a distinct advantage don't forget he has quick feet but a quicker brain and against those tired heads he could prove to be very influencial as the game gets old.

 

[chicoazul]

Easy, was thinking about this yesterday.

Osman should be used as a super sub or our ace up the sleeve, against tired legs and tired heads I think he would have a distinct advantage don't forget he has quick feet but a quicker brain and against those tired heads he could prove to be very influencial as the game gets old.

Something along these lines would be better. A good squad player who should only start when he's bang on form. Which he occasionally is. I'd rather have him than Davies.

 

[blarg]

I agree with Rob Japan. He's an essential squad player, rather than first teamer and always scores excellent goals. I can't remember a scrappy goal he's scored.

And like others have said, he'll still have opportunities when others are injured or suspended.

 

[monty]

Squad player, super sub seems to be his future and based on some inept displays this term that would be fair. He is quick, he does have a good brain to him and he can beat players intelligently, so that would mean bye bye Faddy as young Kissock must start breaking through shortly:shock:

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Joe Cole about Osman when he got his injury was something like: "without a doubt, he was the best player in our England set up, hopefully he recovers"

Osmans one of them players who gets better and better every season. He's a real asset to our squad

 

[ever tony an]

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DPSV6EX9

the osman vid download link promised

if anyone hasnt used megaupload before
you will see a 3 letter code to enter in the download box then you wait a few seconds and it will give you the download

if you download it please wait before turning the sound down (if you dont like the music) because the comentator shouts the name of the video
HERE COMES OSMAN

 

[GrandOldTeam]

tone is that a video you done yourself?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I think Osman would be at his best in Tim Cahill's role behind the front man because he's got really quick feet, good vision and can score the odd goal. He's wasted on the wing as he's not fast enough to take men on or strong enough to track back with any degree of success.