The Mail Bag
Osman
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Well, after watching today's match I conclude that Hodgson has done just as much with his team in 9 months as Moyes has done in 6 years in terms of the shape of the team and its style of play.
On the plus side, I thought we tried to play the ball on the ground and we retained possesion for longer and that, despite all the criticism he gets, is down to playing Osman in the middle. Osman proves you don't need to be a dirty bastard to play the holding role... you just need to use your brain, keep your positional sense and pass accurately and quickly to feet (gives the opposition less time to knock him off the ball as well!)
The defenders also know they can pass the ball to someone in front of them that should be able to control the ball instead of hoofing it up to the strikers
Crap match though.
Iain McWilliam, Posted 01/11/2008 at 15:39:36
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Ah Fulham to win Prem in 18 months then! Osman a good player who can control the ball, pass and score. He is underrated.
Osman is the quintssential Moyes player: works hard, obedient, plays where he’s told, probably five minutes early for every training session. Makes a good cuppa. Some skill and zero inspiration. That’s why Moyes perseveres with him. The problem is you are not going to go very far with the Leon Osmans of this world. It’s a diet of lettuce. We need some steak in that side.
I am the first man to slate Osman when he doesn't perform becuase I do think that, when he is poor, he is god awful. But I have to admit, this season he is showing a lot more, he has been performing more consistently, last season he would play shit but be scoring. This season he has shown more guile. A definite starter now for me. Arteta and Cahill were shit today , I think Cahill is a half-stone overweight and Arteta has lost his touch. Time to cash in I reckon.
Not that I’m moaning as such - and albeit we’ve played an extra match - but how on earth are we seventh?
We’ve played well for forty-five mins all season and been appalling for the rest of it.
It just goes to show how inconsistent/poor every club is outside the top four (and maybe Villa).
We’ve played well for forty-five mins all season and been appalling for the rest of it.
It just goes to show how inconsistent/poor every club is outside the top four (and maybe Villa).
He was poor against Bolton but he did well today, kept us ticking in the middle and rarely gave it away. He needs to be playing higher up the pitch though, he’s having to change his game so Fellaini can get forward.
No doubt people will critisise him though, that’s just the way it is with Osman. Needs replacing in the summer but he’s still a very useful player.
No doubt people will critisise him though, that’s just the way it is with Osman. Needs replacing in the summer but he’s still a very useful player.
Osman is a very good player on his day, I do think though that if we are to progress he is the type of player that we need on the fringes of the team, i.e. a squad player. I am a fan of his but he simply doesn?t dominate the midfield. We need someone with a nasty streak to play alongside Fellaini...
For the record - the beautiful cross in Michael’s report superbly converted by Saha was supplied by Osman, not Anichebe as stated, wasn’t it?
I like Ossie and I hope he grows into what might be his new role sitting further back. But, of course, we’ll have to see.
I like Ossie and I hope he grows into what might be his new role sitting further back. But, of course, we’ll have to see.
What an excellent eight days it?s been for Everton. Davey has got the defence organised again with Jagielka playing out of his skin and Joleon playing where he?s told to. When I got back to the Freshy, they told me Ossie had been Sky?s Man of the Match which just shows how expert some on here are! We are now very much back on track and it?s just amazing the difference since the Moyestro signed that contract. Who can doubt he?s woth every penny now?
Jagielka should have been Man of the Match, Richard Dodd. He, like you said, had a blinder today and has been a rock this season.
Osman is a moot point. I?m going to disagree with a lot of people on here but this season he simply hasn?t been good enough.
HE IS TOO LIGHTWEIGHT FOR THE PREM. Anyone who thinks he can play a holding role is out of their mind. Against Fulham today he struggled, and he did put in a good cross for the goal, but otherwise I expect better from a CM. Fellaini has been bearing the brunt of the midfield work for Osman, and no one seems to have noticed.
I am longing for the day we will play Rodwell next to Fellaini in the middle as I think that boy has the maturity to be a success right now, like Agbonlahor and Young at Villa, Fabregas at Arsenal ? age is just a number, and is meaningless. Rodwell should be a definite starter.
Osman is a moot point. I?m going to disagree with a lot of people on here but this season he simply hasn?t been good enough.
HE IS TOO LIGHTWEIGHT FOR THE PREM. Anyone who thinks he can play a holding role is out of their mind. Against Fulham today he struggled, and he did put in a good cross for the goal, but otherwise I expect better from a CM. Fellaini has been bearing the brunt of the midfield work for Osman, and no one seems to have noticed.
I am longing for the day we will play Rodwell next to Fellaini in the middle as I think that boy has the maturity to be a success right now, like Agbonlahor and Young at Villa, Fabregas at Arsenal ? age is just a number, and is meaningless. Rodwell should be a definite starter.
Thank, Keith. I obviously got that one wrong! Great cross though, from Ossie. Why is every single cross and corner from Arteta floated in like a fucking balloon rather than wellied in at a low trajectory? I guess the answer is, like that pathetic shot he had, he loses all directional control when applying greater power!
Richard Dodd,
We?ve got lucky since Moyes signed his contract. The second half against United was good but we could have been buried by half-time. Subsequently,we have had late winners against two very poor sides. If you are pleased with this then your aspirations for Everton are disappointing.
We?ve got lucky since Moyes signed his contract. The second half against United was good but we could have been buried by half-time. Subsequently,we have had late winners against two very poor sides. If you are pleased with this then your aspirations for Everton are disappointing.
We will never win a trophy while David Moyes is here. He?s not a bad manager, in fact if you need someone to save you from relegation he?s the man. Everton, however, deserve better than his dour, negative, fearful tactics. Praise him when he wins something.
Awful game ? we are so one-dimensional it is frightening. I cannot imagine there were too many neutrals wasting their Saturday lunchtimes watching that load of shit.
I thought Cahill, Pienaar and Lescott were embarrassingly poor today.
The fact we sit 7th says everything about the quality of the Premier League ? it is hugely overrated.
I thought Cahill, Pienaar and Lescott were embarrassingly poor today.
The fact we sit 7th says everything about the quality of the Premier League ? it is hugely overrated.
Or maybe we are underrated. Look at the last 5 or 6 European Cup finals and tell me the English league is overrated.
Some people on here expect too much, even a win isnt good enough.
Some people on here expect too much, even a win isnt good enough.
Doddy, as I told you in the pub when you chastised me for not going this afternoon, I am not spending anymore of my hard-earned on the shite that Everton and nearly every other Prem club seves up as football. Indeed, this afternoon, the game struggled to keep an audience with many self-professed Evertonians ? me included ? were wandering off to chat with non-watchers when we got up for a pint.
You come back from Goodison singing Moyes?s praises and as we all told you ? you are so easily pleased, you?ll probably be the one to turn the lights out. In short, Everton (and Fulham) were crap!
I've seen crap Man U games and crap Arsenal games; it happens. We got the result, be happy.
NOT HAPPY
Forgetting the result (we could have been 4 up at half time) I am astounded at the following;
1-- Why is Lescott playing and not Baines?
2-- How is Osman in the team? Rodwell has shown he is far better in the position Osman has been playing recently ? I hope he isn?t playing simply due to his age. It is imperative we buy a box-to-box midfielder in January who is as defensive as Fellaini is attacking... Lorik Cana anyone?
3-- How we didn?t destroy Fulham in the first half (stuck in 2nd gear) is anyone's guess.
4-- I hope Fellaini was taken off as he was tired. It was a bizarre sub seeing as he was by far our top player in the 1st half and no coincidence Fulham played better with him missing.
Forgetting the result (we could have been 4 up at half time) I am astounded at the following;
1-- Why is Lescott playing and not Baines?
2-- How is Osman in the team? Rodwell has shown he is far better in the position Osman has been playing recently ? I hope he isn?t playing simply due to his age. It is imperative we buy a box-to-box midfielder in January who is as defensive as Fellaini is attacking... Lorik Cana anyone?
3-- How we didn?t destroy Fulham in the first half (stuck in 2nd gear) is anyone's guess.
4-- I hope Fellaini was taken off as he was tired. It was a bizarre sub seeing as he was by far our top player in the 1st half and no coincidence Fulham played better with him missing.
Sorry, for me today?s performance was simply awful. Two players stood out for me Jagielka and Yobo they kept us in it. The only positive thing I can say about Osman?s performance was that he was no worse than any of the other outfield players but I suppose that in itself represents an improvement. I can only assume he was awarded the MOM as he delivered a very good cross which was powered in by Saha, a very well taken goal and perhaps the only moment in the game to enthuse about.
Fulham like to play football and are not really a physical outfit fortunately. Personally I?ve no confidence with Osman playing in his current role it feels as though we?re treading water. I have no doubt that, but for the late face-saving goal, the team may well have left the field to chorus of boos.
LORIK CANA!
I have this sadness in my heart. Yes, three points today but for me the future does not bode well.
Arteta is driving me nuts. Whats the matter with this guy? Is it a mental problem, what is it? This lad who has the whole world of talent in his hands or feet just isn?t doing it any more.
He was our real bit of creativity on the flanks and in the middle of the park and now... nothing. Could it be he needs a goal? I don't know but he?s going to have to sort himself out at some point.
I also think to many people on here (excuse me while I turn Emerson Lake and Palmer down a bit) get on Ozzy's back a little too much. Imagine if that guy played for Chelsea or the Arse. I think with the right players around him he would look a little genius. Sorry but it?s just my opinion.
Before I go, a little joke for you fellow Evertonians. We need to lighten the scene.
A guy is chatting to a doctor in a mental asylum and the guy says to the doctor, "How do you know if someone?s mental or not?" So the doc takes him to another room and says, "Well, you see this full bath of water, we ask the prospective patient what would he use to empty the bath." The doc then shows the guy a spoon, an egg cup, a coffee mug and a bucket. The guy says, "Well it?s obvious, it?s got to be the bucket." The doc turns round and says, "Would you like the bed nearest the window because most normal people would pull the plug out."
Sorry guys you can shoot me at dawn
COYB!!! (WHERE?S MY PILLS)
Arteta is driving me nuts. Whats the matter with this guy? Is it a mental problem, what is it? This lad who has the whole world of talent in his hands or feet just isn?t doing it any more.
He was our real bit of creativity on the flanks and in the middle of the park and now... nothing. Could it be he needs a goal? I don't know but he?s going to have to sort himself out at some point.
I also think to many people on here (excuse me while I turn Emerson Lake and Palmer down a bit) get on Ozzy's back a little too much. Imagine if that guy played for Chelsea or the Arse. I think with the right players around him he would look a little genius. Sorry but it?s just my opinion.
Before I go, a little joke for you fellow Evertonians. We need to lighten the scene.
A guy is chatting to a doctor in a mental asylum and the guy says to the doctor, "How do you know if someone?s mental or not?" So the doc takes him to another room and says, "Well, you see this full bath of water, we ask the prospective patient what would he use to empty the bath." The doc then shows the guy a spoon, an egg cup, a coffee mug and a bucket. The guy says, "Well it?s obvious, it?s got to be the bucket." The doc turns round and says, "Would you like the bed nearest the window because most normal people would pull the plug out."
Sorry guys you can shoot me at dawn
COYB!!! (WHERE?S MY PILLS)
Lescott should be dropped, he has been truely woeful all season, and today was no different. Every time he got the ball he passed it backwards and disrupted the forward play, and several of those back passes or headers went astray. He did make a couple of good tackles, but that's not good enough in the Premier League.
I?d rather see Valente at left back, or even Neville for a period.
I?d rather see Valente at left back, or even Neville for a period.
Our passing is too slow and when Man Utd and Hull played it was like a sports car performance with pace and skill following a clapped-out Ford Escort being towed by a Morris Marina.
My God we were really poor today and Fulham just could not score... A very poor game between two awful teams playing third-rate football... we are going backwards I'm afraid.
Been to the game today and I thought we did ok first half. Lacked a little understanding and cohesion, but was pleased to at least see us TRYING to be creative. Our play has been pretty predictable so far this season.
Jagielka was again a rock solid performer and without him this season we really would be in the shite.
Poor Ossie is finding it hard just now I feel and Cahill was pretty much non-existent today ? should have scored too.
To get 7 points this week is massive and we can only build on that as we are not playing particularly well. 7th in the table shows we can still be there or thereabouts in the Euro mix up. WE MUST GET BETTER... IT HAS TO HAPPEN!! And if it does I don?t see too many other teams better than us when we are on our game! COYB!!
Jagielka was again a rock solid performer and without him this season we really would be in the shite.
Poor Ossie is finding it hard just now I feel and Cahill was pretty much non-existent today ? should have scored too.
To get 7 points this week is massive and we can only build on that as we are not playing particularly well. 7th in the table shows we can still be there or thereabouts in the Euro mix up. WE MUST GET BETTER... IT HAS TO HAPPEN!! And if it does I don?t see too many other teams better than us when we are on our game! COYB!!
Two players some Evertonians love to hate have done us proud in the last week-Phil Neville and Leon Osman. Both are ultimate clubmen, far more talented than many who receive rave reviews in local and national press - and on ToffeeWeb. Their contribution to the seven points Everton have gained in just 8 days is enormous. Just take the blinkers off and give credit. PLEASE.
We are now 11 games into the season. We have only just got our first home win. We have only just achieved our first clean sheet (against Bolton). We were out of 2 cups before the clocks went back. We have played, by general consent, ONE good half of football in 14 games (including the 3 cup games). The team has looked disjointed, uninterested, unsure, inaccurate, unbalanced, immobile and played turgid football, mainly in the air, for the whole period.
The media rated our game at Bolton in midweek as arguably the most turgidly boring game ever played in the Premier League. And then there was today...
Sure, we can have a go at the players. But, much as I have backed him of late, there is one culprit in all of this. I?m afraid our esteemeed and now hugely paid manager had fucked up big time. By his own admission, he threw his toys out of the pram when he learned of our inability to do much more in the transfer market. He has exuded outright misery in almost every press conference since last May. His body language has sucked at a time when he should have been reassuring the players and planning for the future.
He has sown uncertainty & confusion within the team. Of this there is no doubt. It took him 4 months to finally publicly admit as such. And after all of this he is rewarded with a fabulous contract.
I didn't necessarily want Moyes out. But now I am so close to that. He has our team playing the most tedious, turgid crap served up for many a long year. With the players at his disposal that is unacceptable. What on earth do they do in training? The reversion to long balls by Lescott, Jagielka and Yobo is a joke. Perhaps they don?t trust the midfield, but I never bargained on Everton becoming a poor man?s Bolton.
I think I have had enough. It will take a boost in results, but most importantly in performances, to make me change my mind now. I think Moyes is the luckiest man in the EPL right now. Our club and our football needs freshening up. As for who? Slaven Bilic, Dave Jones, Gareth Southgate, Roberto di Matteo or, my main man, Manuel Pellegrino (who?s taken Villarreal from nowhere to one of the best sides in Spain/Europe). He exudes style and class. We could do with some right now.
The media rated our game at Bolton in midweek as arguably the most turgidly boring game ever played in the Premier League. And then there was today...
Sure, we can have a go at the players. But, much as I have backed him of late, there is one culprit in all of this. I?m afraid our esteemeed and now hugely paid manager had fucked up big time. By his own admission, he threw his toys out of the pram when he learned of our inability to do much more in the transfer market. He has exuded outright misery in almost every press conference since last May. His body language has sucked at a time when he should have been reassuring the players and planning for the future.
He has sown uncertainty & confusion within the team. Of this there is no doubt. It took him 4 months to finally publicly admit as such. And after all of this he is rewarded with a fabulous contract.
I didn't necessarily want Moyes out. But now I am so close to that. He has our team playing the most tedious, turgid crap served up for many a long year. With the players at his disposal that is unacceptable. What on earth do they do in training? The reversion to long balls by Lescott, Jagielka and Yobo is a joke. Perhaps they don?t trust the midfield, but I never bargained on Everton becoming a poor man?s Bolton.
I think I have had enough. It will take a boost in results, but most importantly in performances, to make me change my mind now. I think Moyes is the luckiest man in the EPL right now. Our club and our football needs freshening up. As for who? Slaven Bilic, Dave Jones, Gareth Southgate, Roberto di Matteo or, my main man, Manuel Pellegrino (who?s taken Villarreal from nowhere to one of the best sides in Spain/Europe). He exudes style and class. We could do with some right now.
What utter rot you speak Alan. Davey has restored WINNING football to Everton ? the same product he has produced for much of the last six years. Just relax and enjoy success.
To be fair Richard, our results have improved at exactly the same time Moyes signed his contract.
Coincidence?
Coincidence?
Osman, despite crossing the ball for the goal, was the weak link in the midfield. He's far too lightweight and is a luxury we just can't afford. The better teams will over-run us if we have the small men in the middle. I don't think Osman would get in any other team in the Prem or the Championship for that matter.
What's wrong with Castillo? Arteta stunk once again and I think should be dropped, he's only staying in the team because the squad is so thin and he's got no competition, he was so half-hearted today and needs a rocket up his arse, should?ve been replaced by Baines. Also Lescott looks shot of any confidence and should be given a break, I?d like to see Valente given a chance with Baines ahead of him. Come January, we need a bit of steel in central midfield or we're going to be a pushover for the rest of the season.
Still thought that Howard looked shaky today; very lucky that we didn’t concede a goal , especially when he spilled the Bullard free kick , instead of saving it properly.
How poor does Yak have to be before Vaughan and Anichebe get to start. I would start with those 2 at West Ham; Cahill , currently, is not worthy of starting.
Everton , 7th! Lies, damned lies and statistics.
I thought Jags was the star performer.
How poor does Yak have to be before Vaughan and Anichebe get to start. I would start with those 2 at West Ham; Cahill , currently, is not worthy of starting.
Everton , 7th! Lies, damned lies and statistics.
I thought Jags was the star performer.
Sorry my friend but your claim that Hodgson has done as much in 9 months as Moyes has in 6 plus years is somewhat ridiculous.............when Hodgson has a top four finish, several fifth place and sixth place finishes hen that would be true.
It wasn’t great today, but I guess they don’t take the field wanting to play like dorks.......the crowd were crap!...imagine having to perform on front of 30,000 plus people all saying ..’so show me something’, sorry they were as nervous as could be and it showed...................I guess they enjoy playing away from goodison more than they do at home.............maybe we should take a leaf out of the Stoke city fans book....support the team no matter what
It wasn’t great today, but I guess they don’t take the field wanting to play like dorks.......the crowd were crap!...imagine having to perform on front of 30,000 plus people all saying ..’so show me something’, sorry they were as nervous as could be and it showed...................I guess they enjoy playing away from goodison more than they do at home.............maybe we should take a leaf out of the Stoke city fans book....support the team no matter what
Alan Kirwin.
That?s the most sensible post I?ve read on this site for some time.
That?s the most sensible post I?ve read on this site for some time.
Richard, enjoy what sucess?David Moyes provides dour, frightened, dull, boring, one dimensional, tactically inept, souless, ground emptying, mostly passionless football. He?s won nothing, nearly had us relegated and, as a result, has earned himself a contract that can only be described as fucking obscene.
It’s unbelievable that we’re seventh. It really is, but let’s hope we push on from it.
After Jags, is Neville our best performer this season so far?
After Jags, is Neville our best performer this season so far?
Andy Crooks, do you work for the people who write the thesaraus? Admitedly not a great game (or start to the season) but let's not start on a "he?s earning more than me" diatribe. There are far worse culprits to rack (managing your mortgage for example). 7th in the table and climbing, I will wait for the football to come. I guess if you were a gooner you would be demanding Wenger's head!
I thought Osman had a decent game actually but the opponent was Fulham. Felliani looks class though.
I love this site, I really do, where else can you find posters who are pissed off when we have just almost doubled our points total for the season in a week. Absolutely priceless.
Dave Jones, ridiculous. Gareth Southgate, why ? Di Matteo, unproven.
David Moyes, qualified for Europe three times through league placing. Which to my mind was unthinkable since the eighties. We are having a poor season so far admittedly but we’re so dissapointed because we are used to better UNDER Moyes.
David Moyes, qualified for Europe three times through league placing. Which to my mind was unthinkable since the eighties. We are having a poor season so far admittedly but we’re so dissapointed because we are used to better UNDER Moyes.
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