Osman: Besic can become a crowd favourite

, 4 August, 42comments  |  Jump to most recent
Leon Osman says that new signing Muhamed Besic has the potential to become another Goodison Park hero based on first impressions since he arrived from Ferencvaros.

The 21 year-old Bosnian gave an impressive debut first showing of the home crowd when he came on at half time against FC Porto yesterday in Osman's testimonial match, starting with a crowd-pleasing turn coupled with silky skills with his first involvement and then demonstrating a hunger for the ball, fearlessness in the tackle, a promising array of passes and tight ball control for the remainder of the half.

“He hasn't tackled that aggressively in training, thankfully,” Osman said after the 1-1 draw which celebrated his 11 years as part of Everton's first team set-up. “But the touches and quality he has shown in training.

“It was a really good debut for the lad and if he plays like that every week then he will be a crowd favourite for many years.”


Compilation of Besic's second-half contribution

 

Reader Comments (42)

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Brent Stephens
1 Posted 04/08/2014 at 05:15:35
I just drooled at the game. Looks even better on these clips! This lad is going to be our best buy ever. £4m? You cannot be serious! The Serious Fraud Office must be investigating Bill for that purchase.

Be prepared to drool.

David Chait
2 Posted 04/08/2014 at 05:36:27
I might be over the top here but by the end if the season we might be calling Besic our most valuable player.. Worth even more than Barkley...
Paul Columb
3 Posted 04/08/2014 at 05:37:57
Solid performance and with Coleman’s return I can see some lethal diagonal link up balls. Look like he could be an incredibly rounded midfielder and with more creativity than I had imagined. I’m hoping early involvement in the first team but at who’s expense?
Brent Stephens
4 Posted 04/08/2014 at 05:43:27
We were playing 4-3-3 in the second half - Barry, McCarthy and Besic together. Room for all three? I know some already argue that Barry and McCarthy are at times overkill in terms of defensive mid, but that trio does seem to provide an attacking / creative springboard through Besic?
Matt Traynor
5 Posted 04/08/2014 at 06:00:14
Tsk and to think a few days ago people were posting along the lines of "For £4m he can’t be that good", and "How come no other teams are in for him?"

I said on a post a week or so ago that I could see him playing more than a supporting role this season, and I still do. I’m just not sure whether it’s in defence or midfield.

Of course, it’ll just take a Yobo-esque moment of fannying around on the ball, resulting in an oppo goal, and the knives will be out!

Tahir Abdullah
6 Posted 04/08/2014 at 06:02:55
Didn’t see Mo’s first run out for EFC unfortunately, but based on the feedback on TW this guy looks the real deal. A proper box to box midfielder with an ability to drive his team mates on. Mature and capable beyond his 21 years; I’m already looking forward to the first derby and having Besic sticking it to creasehead. COYB
Kevin Rowlands
7 Posted 04/08/2014 at 06:43:05
Any suggestions on a suitable song for him? I’ll give it a shot, sung to ’its a grand old team’ I’d go with...’And we all know if there’s gonna be a show then our Mo Besic will be there’ any good or fucking stupid?
Kevin Rowlands
8 Posted 04/08/2014 at 06:49:20
On a more serious note, how on earth is ONE Adam Lallana worth SIX Mo Besic’s, seriously, he cost TWENTY MILLION POUND more than Mo, staggering!
Nick Armitage
9 Posted 04/08/2014 at 07:42:07
Paul Columb - sat in the Upper Bullens yesterday and was thinking exactly that myself. Lukaku runs that channel a lot as well so having a player who can spring an attack when we are under pressure is a useful weapon.

He was constantly on the move, had great control and I know this was only a friendly, but he was playing against a very good and well drilled side and I don’t remember him giving the ball away once.

He reminded me of a certain Tim Cahill with his attitude and energy levels when he arrived, but with the ability of a Bracewell. He was the stand out player yesterday and he is only 21.

Think Roberto may have unearthed a diamond. Getting excited about seeing him next season, particularly as he is a bit of a nutter too. We have got Gibson to come back there as well, our centre mid is looking very good.

Jamie Barlow
10 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:05:36
I couldn’t watch the game but after watching the clip above, I agree with Paul@3 and Nick @9. Coleman, Mirallas and Lukaku are going to love some of those balls he played down the right.

He looks a lot trickier than I’ve seen previously. I can’t wait to watch more of him.

Andy Finigan
11 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:20:19
He’s going to be a great buy, I love his attitude and energy. Shouldnt we just call him Moby?
Jim Bennings
12 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:12:35
Couldn’t agree more, looks a real player , very much like McCarthy.

We now have McCarthy, Besic, Gibson (when fit, which granted probably won’t be that often) and Barry who can all perform in that defensive midfielder role.

We are so well off for that position that it now makes me concerned slightly that we don’t have an abundance of attacking creative central midfielders, we only really have Barkley.

Once we sign a winger we will be comfortable for the wide options.

I just winder whether at times moving Pienaar into the middle could open up one or two new creative horizons?

Pienaar will struggle on a regular basis to nail down the wide berth when Mirallas is playing and if, as expected another younger winger arrives, then there is of course McGeady who needs to push on.

Pienaar has an eye for a creative pass and is usually very busy, always moving.

Jim Lloyd
13 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:25:56
I posted on another thread that he reminded me of Tony Kay and the match just reinforced that view. What a player we have.

He wasn’t just skilfull on the ball, although that alone was worth paying for, his vision is exceptional. I think he brought McGeady into the game (thought he had a stinker btw) than in he was in the whole of the first half.

He is fearless in the tackle, made some crucial ones, but more than anything he impressed me with the way he made poor passes to him, into creative opportunities for the team.

I had James McCarthy down as our future Captain but I’m not so sure now.

I think if we can keep hold of him, Besic has all the makings of a Captain in him.

He’s his own man so I’m being a bit unfair to him to call him Tony Kay the second but he just oozes class in all departments as TC did all those years ago.

He just has a Besic Instinct for the game!

Derek Knox
14 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:37:35
I may be jumping the gun here, but he looked better than Barry, McCarthy (who has been disappointing the last three games) and Gibson, and by far the better both defensively and converting possession into attack with sublime long accurate balls .

I wish we had some similar players brought in this summer (for the first team) and must admit that of the numbers mentioned to join us, I didn’t think that included ones for the future !

It looks like we (according to Roberto) will be getting another one and that will be it.

I, for fear of repeating myself, think if Tim Howard doesn’t play or is rested, we will not win many games. Assuming we score well, that Robles will be letting them in at the back.

We definitely need another goalkeeper and a couple of attacking / striking options!

Paul Thompson
15 Posted 04/08/2014 at 08:52:25
That performance was against a side generally over-running our midfield, so it does indeed hold great promise. Given his quick feet, awareness of space and ability to hit a longer ball, I wonder whether RM is thinking of playing him in centre mid rather than DM. We certainly have an excess of the former.
Danny Kewley
16 Posted 04/08/2014 at 09:09:53
Bearing in mind it was only a testimonial and Mo Besic was only on a little while, he was outstanding! He definitely brought McGeady into the game. His skill and enthusiasm put me in mind of Paul Bracewell.

All things considered, weÂ’ve got a gem on our hands here!

Thomas Lennon
17 Posted 04/08/2014 at 09:58:14
Those clips show he has something quite different to most of our existing players. The ability to be surrounded by 3 or 4 players and want to keep the ball turn and move forward. Very impressive. Will he get to do that in PL? A very useful player for the way a Roberto team plays. We have improved.
Micky Norman
18 Posted 04/08/2014 at 10:57:23
I’m not sure about this "needing a creative central midfielder" talk on here. RM’s tactics rely very much on the wingbacks and, if you think about the ’80s team, neither Reid nor Bracewell were really thought of in that way although they both created plenty and contributed to attacking moves.

Flexibility and hunting in packs up and down the pitch are the way the modern game is going. All our midfielders can pick out a pass and do the defensive stuff as well. I was really impressed with Besic on both counts and can see a MF pairing of him and McCarthy being the future. Fewer games for Barry will prolong his career and Gibson will provide good cover and maybe play in games where teams come to Goodison and park the bus.

What we do really need to add that extra spark to the team is an impact sub, probably a winger as Deulofeu did last year. It’s going to be a big year for Barkley this time as he cements himself into the starting line up, probably as what I would call the supporting forward role á la Duncan McKenzie or, dare I say it... Alan Ball.

Denis Richardson
19 Posted 04/08/2014 at 11:41:50
Didn’t see the game but am amazed (and excited) by the great reports everyone is giving Besic - sounds like we’ve signed a star in the making for very little.

Interesting to read that Barry, McCarthy and Besic were playing in a 433 for a while - would that formation work with Barkley, Rom and Mirallas as the three up top and Besic as the box to box playing in the middle of the middle 3? Or is that a bit too defensive?

Tony J Williams
21 Posted 04/08/2014 at 12:06:41
Even though he is classed as a defensive midfielder, I can see him taking over from the man yesterday was for, Ossie
Nicholas Ryan
22 Posted 04/08/2014 at 13:39:56
There is an alleged quote going around, from the Bosnian President, who, when asked to comment on the World Cup, said:

’One-third of our country is covered by water .... the rest is covered by Besic’!! Sounds like that might not have been too far off the mark!

Colin Gee
23 Posted 04/08/2014 at 14:07:22
#7 Kevin, song for Besic?

The one that fits for me is No Limits – 2Unlimited

Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Muhamed Besic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM5W7Xn7FiA

Imagine that ringing out around Anfield as Besic slots the third goal in front of the Kop in 80th minute and apart from the Blues in the Anfield Road end the ground empties.

Jimmy-Ã…ge Sørheim
24 Posted 04/08/2014 at 14:31:48
Besic is the only other real signing for the first team.

The rest is youth players and players who was here last season.

Besic will be a very important signing, but we need a winger and a striker for the first team.

Kone looks like he is never going to make it here I am afraid.
In my view he is a lost cause and we should aim to replace him with Remy.

Basically Martinez has to do what Pardew did and sell to buy if we are going to have a great season.

Derek Knox
25 Posted 04/08/2014 at 14:36:15
Colin # 23

The Jury is definitely out for the foreseeable future, and beyond, with regards to the song!

However, I do like the scenario about Anfield!

Just heard, the Jury, to a man are all buying earplugs, whatever that means! :-)

Thomas Surgenor
26 Posted 04/08/2014 at 14:46:17
Nicholas Ryan #22

Isn’t that the same quote that we have for the McCarthy banner at Goodison?

Mike Green
27 Posted 04/08/2014 at 14:42:05
Denis #19 - that could work but feels like we’re trying to squeeze a pint into a half pint pot in the middle. Having said that you could play Besic behind Barry and McCarthy and it really would be a case of ’thy shall not pass’ - a lot of responsibility on the full backs (which they can handle) and wide men as nothing’s going to created from the middle. Having said that Besic can clearly pick a pass so who knows......
James Stewart
28 Posted 04/08/2014 at 15:06:28
Barry and McCarthy against teams that park the bus is completely pointless. McCarthy and Besic have a much better skillset for those games.
Duncan McDine
29 Posted 04/08/2014 at 15:08:39
IÂ’ve got a feeling that it would be a step backwards to start fannying around with formations. In Besic it looks like we have a player capable of taking over from Barry in forming a young formidable partnership with McCarthy. This season IÂ’d love to see Stones cement his place in the starting line up, Besic prove himself in the Barry role, and Barkley improve again to become the top class player we know is possible.

These 3 young lads look like they have the potential to be fantastic players for us in the coming years.

Denis Richardson
30 Posted 04/08/2014 at 15:50:18
Agree with you Mike - if it ain’t broke etc...

RM can rotate between the 3/4 CMs depening on the oppo or the status of the game. Good to have real competition there too as Barry and McCarthy were nailed on every game, not only as they were playing well but also as there was no competition for those spots.

Mike Green
31 Posted 04/08/2014 at 15:54:38
Denis - rotation! Swoon...... :)

You’re right though, RM will have the problem of having to keep players "happy" next.

Danny Kewley
32 Posted 04/08/2014 at 15:42:48
col@23
Bit limited mate, what a doris though!
Actually the more I think about it, that tune could well catch on for Mo....
When you think of all the lolly that has been splashed around on pretty average players we could well have an absolute steal!!!!
Helen Mallon
33 Posted 04/08/2014 at 16:51:59
The song for Mo, Mohamed, Mohamed Besic, he floats like a butterfly and hates Stevie G.
Derek Knox
34 Posted 04/08/2014 at 17:19:22
Helen # 34

Now that sort of song could promote an intense dislike of our Â’ friends Â’ from across the park ! ----------------- Love it !

Keep up the good work Helen ! :-)

Wayne Smyth
36 Posted 04/08/2014 at 17:21:25
Jim(13), I think you’re right about Besic being a future captain. Could happen sooner than we think too, perhaps in a couple of seasons.

From the snippets I’ve read about Besic and what I’ve seen in his interviews, it’s clear he’s a very driven individual who likes to do his talking on the pitch and really hates losing matches. Reminds me a lot of Roy Keane in that respect and has a similar stare to boot! I was made up to see his performance yesterday showing he’s not just in there to do simple stuff.

To my mind you want a few things from a good captain:

* a will to win
* the drive to drag the rest of the team with him
* 100% effort
* to be one of the better players in the team who sets an example with their performances.

Most of our players don’t have that cold heartless determination to win. We always play too nice. I don’t think Besic does ’nice’, so no doubt Arsene Whinger will be having a good moan to the ref before we play them and hence my main worry about Besic is whether he can avoid bookings. Luckily he isn’t 6’4" with an afro, so hopefully will stay under the radar.

Trevor Lynes
37 Posted 04/08/2014 at 18:19:41
Unfortunately I could not get to the game but if Besic is already rated as on a par with Tony Kaye then he must be fantastic. Kaye was head and shoulders above Reid and Bracewell and had all the arrogance of any player I have seen apart from perhaps Vernon wearing an Everton shirt. If Besic is that confident then he must be an absolute steal.

Talk of getting Rodwell back should be a total non-starter as that lad plays without confidence and just gives short, easy passes. I love a player who hits great long passes and thatÂ’s why I admired Scholes in the modern game and Collins (Bobby) in the past. Gerrard is the nearest to those two unfortunately and not many English players have that ability.

I just hope we can get Atsu as with his pace on one side and Mirallas on the other we can really frighten some opposing teams. Atsu plus one decent midfield general (not Arteta) will complete the squad for this coming season.

After that we will need cover for centre back and right back positions plus replacements for Pienaar and Osman who are no longer ninety minute players over a long haul.

Darren Hind
38 Posted 04/08/2014 at 19:13:38
He’s been compared to Tony Kaye, Roy keane, Colin Harvey AND Howard Kendal ?

No pressure then

John Raftery
39 Posted 04/08/2014 at 19:24:07
Rodwell is on his way to Sunderland. He was never coming back to Goodison once Besic signed. We now have plenty of cover in central midfield. One more striker and a fast, wide player should complete the squad. If they are on loan, that will do.
Raymond Fox
40 Posted 04/08/2014 at 19:30:51
From his performance I think he’s good enough to become our creative player, the type of player we were missing last year.
Now how you fit him in, and who you leave out I’ll leave that problem to the boss!
Ant Dwyer
42 Posted 05/08/2014 at 03:50:06
I must say I thought Besic looked the part, but come on, it was 45 minutes of a friendly! I like the look of him – strong tackler and a decent touch, some nice passing and a few quick turns, he was the main bright point of a dire game for me.

IÂ’m not convinced that we could play with Besic, Barry and McCarthy though as when the three were on we did look slightly exposed at full back and a good Premier League side will punish that. Also we didnÂ’t really create an awful lot with those three either. Again, like the look of him but not with both Barry an McCarthy. Has to be two of the three for me.

Gary Edwards
43 Posted 05/08/2014 at 05:30:50
It is right to assign certain players with set positions, Howard is the goalie, Jagielka / Distin / Stones / Duffy etc. will be centrebacks and Lukaku will be the main striker and weÂ’ll likely play with 2 DMÂ’ers (probably Barry & McCarthy) but the rest of it is fluid.

We shouldnÂ’t simply allocate slots / positions to players and then try to fit them into a conventional formationas it wonÂ’t be like that.

MIrallas drifts all over, Barkley runs with the ball from midfield, Pienaar is generally on the left as he has previously worked well with Baines but he also drifts and thatÂ’s the way it will be with several players.

A lot of people are crying out for a creative midfielder, maybe Bobby sees Mo Besic as being more than capable in this role and he can tackle too ... happy days.

Harold Matthews
44 Posted 05/08/2014 at 12:36:44
Trevor.#38. Some very interesting points.
Andy Meighan
45 Posted 05/08/2014 at 14:20:26
Some over the top comments on this thread considering it was only 45 minutes of a testimonial. I’ll reserve judgement until I’ve actually seen him in the Premier League.

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