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We Improve When Osman Improves

I know there are so many Osman detractors who contribute to ToffeeWeb. But, in the last couple of games, we seem to have improved on the back of Osman improving. The game we lost against Liverpool is when Osman registered an obscure presence. In the FA Cup match against Birmingham, we improved when Osman joined the fight and scored with a curler (what a goal that was).

Yesterday’s game was no exception. Osman, to me, was MotM. He treated the Man U defence like they have no pride at all. He stopped just about anything he could. He set up plays more times that we can remember. He fought for every inch and gave none.

Everyone on the field was switching roles: Landon, Bily, Pienaar etc, yet Osman stayed in his starting position: midfield in front of Arterta.

We were all worried with Fellaini being gone, but it seems Osman is the unsung hero. Which brings me to my next worry. Our future opposition may have caught wind of this secret and therefore will do a “Liverpool” on us. That is, clip Osman each time they play us.

How do we overcome this?
Rahman Talib, Jakarta Indonesia Posted 21/02/2010 at 03:40:11

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Duncan McDine
1 Posted 21/02/2010 at 16:47:30

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I’ve just about got my voice back, and that has to go down as one to remember... certainly made the 4 hour trip home fly by!

I couldn’t agree more with your praise of Osman, but also feel that it is very impressive how we seem to cope without important players (like big Felli). I don’t think we’d struggle if Osman was replaced by a fit Felli, but have to give him a lot of credit for his performances in the last 3 big matches. For me, he won the midfield battle, and was the best player on the field.

Well done Leon, keep it up lad!

Andy Crooks
2 Posted 21/02/2010 at 16:51:33

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I agree, Rahman, I thought Osman was excellent yesterday. I think, as Dave Wilson said on another thread, that he has been played out of position. Also, he has looked knackered on occasions. I believe he is an example of what very good side needs. The unsung, homegrown lad who gets the stick that others escape, but who gets his head down and gives his all.

Dennis Stevens
3 Posted 21/02/2010 at 18:33:40

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Little Leon is quality when used appropriately & with decent players around him, but doesn’t look quite so sharp when playing out wide to cover for others despite carrying injuries himself, as happened for most of last season — when he received all the abuse that rightly should have been directed at VDM.

Phil Roberts
4 Posted 21/02/2010 at 21:40:48

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Way we overcome them targetting Leon is to get Tony Marsh to go on all their sites and give them his honest opinion of the lad. Then they will leave him alone, he will boss the match, we will win.

Go to it Tony!

I am quite sure you have not changed your opinion of Leon, but maybe you are just a little bit happy for you, us, the team and him - actually mega happy for the team and us!

Simon Walker
5 Posted 21/02/2010 at 21:53:51

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"We Improve When Osman Improves" Is this not the same as saying "You’re only as strong as your weakest link"?

I don’t count myself as a detractor of Ossie but we’ve all seen those performances where he looked outclassed. And considering he’s 28 years old, the improvement is definitely not before time.

Having said that, I do like Ossie, always have done; I like the fact that Ossie got his chance with Everton who, in a sport dominated by premium athletes, allowed a 5’ 8" slow developer to stay on the books.

We shouldn’t get carried away with a single performance against an off-looking Manure but the fact that he’s strung a couple of very competent performances together is very encouraging.

Good luck Ossie & COYB

Tony Williams
6 Posted 22/02/2010 at 09:47:54

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It’s the same with many players, play them out of position and they struggle, unless they are a very good player.

Ossie is in no stretch of the imagination a winger, yet he plays where Moyes puts him and has been on the receiving end of so much abuse it is unreal; however quite a lot of that abuse was justified yet when he moved into his preferred position against the top two teams in the league, if not Europe, he plays well.

Ciarán McGlone
7 Posted 22/02/2010 at 09:56:18

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He played well... and credit to him for it... a long-awaited performance against a top 4 team (or any team to be honest).

However, MOTM goes to Arteta or Donovan for me... Arteta pulled the strings all afternoon..

John Prior
8 Posted 22/02/2010 at 12:27:25

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Arteta pulled the strings all afternoon? Of course he did, Ciaran??? It's lucky you're on this site to spot all the things that no-one else see’s and to inform us of it!

It's a shame he ws mostly only pulling sidewards and backwards strings, the only telling forward pass he made was to Rodwell in the last minute.

A competent display from Arteta, hardly an Iniesta performance.

Ciarán McGlone
9 Posted 22/02/2010 at 14:28:48

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Yes, John - it is lucky I’m here... clearly you missed his influence.

Des Farren
10 Posted 22/02/2010 at 16:20:21

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"A long-awaited performance against any team" — Yes Ciaran, I know you are not one of Osman's admirers but that is an ungracious comment and not worthy of you. All things are yellow to a jaundiced eye.

Neither can I go with your second point re Arteta.Considering his lay-off, it was impressive... but MotM? Behave.

Pete Case
11 Posted 22/02/2010 at 21:51:11

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Osman is and influential player. So is Arteta. So is Donovan and Pienaar....yada yada yada... Their are NO dominant players on the Everton squad...Frankly they are just playing really well as a team.

Note: Kudo’s to Osman for running at Evans, Brown & Van Der Sar to force mistakes. He really gave it his all there.

Jason Lam
12 Posted 23/02/2010 at 02:37:47

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Osman had a good day at the office but he also found plenty of time on the ball. Maybe he is positioning himself well, or maybe the opponents gave him too much room. Think Chelsea with Mikel and Essien steamrolling over the poor poodle. Still, credit where due, Osman was huge. COYB

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