COLUMNIST JOE JENNINGS
Tony & Leon...
Comments (49) : They say that it?s tough to ever beat the Bullens Road boo-boys.
James Beattie and Simon Davies are testament to that. At times during this rollercoaster of a season, the Bullens have been looking to induct a new member of what is an ever-growing society, one which includes Stephen Hughes, Graham Stuart and of course, Gary Naysmith. The initiation tends to be endless levels of abuse throughout Goodison games.
This is where local lads Hibbert and Osman come to the fore.
Everton have their former scout, Arthur Stephens, to thank for plucking what was one of Merseyside?s most talented young midfielders in Osman from Oldham Athletic at the tender age of 10. Osman ? who was a Liverpool season-ticket holder in the Kop with his Dad at the time ? took little time to immerse himself into Everton.
"A couple of my friends were at this club and once I arrived I fell in love with it."
His love for Everton, though, almost broke his heart, as a tackle against Blackburn Rovers in the first-leg of the 1998 FA Youth Cup Final looked set to torpedo any Premier League ambitions he most definitely harboured. The tackle to his knee would result in a perennial five-year struggle to work his way into the Everton first eleven.
Osman could have been forgiven for thinking it was not to be; it would have been easier to throw in the towel and settle for lower-league standing. But he didn?t.
Instead, the mercurial midget was sent out to Carlisle United, then struggling for survival in Division 2, to ply his trade. It was certainly an education. But it was to be at Pride Park with Derby, following on from sporadic bench appearances at Everton which included the only penalty miss at the Riverside Stadium that sent the Blues crashing out of the League Cup at the Fourth Round stage, that Osman would showcase his undoubted ingenuity as a footballer.
While the club he loved was scrapping for points to stay alive in the biggest league in the world, Leon was weaving his magic in the First Division. Suffice to say, many Derby fans wish he would never have left.
But it wasn?t far from Derby that Osman?s Everton career took off. Wolves were as good as down, and with Everton having already secured safety with some games to spare, the opportunity arose for Osman to leave a mark on the first-team. Inside two minutes, he certainly achieved that. Ducking down from a Tomasz Radzinski cross, Osman guided his header beyond Jones. The local lad who was too small, too weak and too slow to ever do justice on the Premier League stage couldn?t hide his delight.
For Hibbert, the story was a little different. Although he himself was a member of the 1998 Youth Cup winning side, nothing was really expected from the Huyton-born full back. Tony?s baptism of fire in Blue came down at Upton Park back in March 2001, when an Unsworth penalty and a Niclas Alexandersson strike ensured victory. Tony was certainly not bedded in cosily though, having been scythed down by Psycho Stuart Pearce, which earned Everton the crucial penalty on the stroke of half-time.
Although Hibbert had offered a promising display, he was still deemed as a stop-gap while injuries ravaged Walter Smith?s squad. Little to get excited about.
I think it?s safe to say with all certainty that both players haven?t looked back since. Both have played their part in the Moyes revolution and continue to show why they are so integral to the Everton cause.
It baffles me, to put it politely, as to why BOTH Osman and Hibbert (and it would be foolish to suggest otherwise) continue to feel the wrath of certain fans. While our supporters certainly are hardcore and do offer unstinting levels of loyalty, for me at least, some just don?t understand the game. I?ll go as far to say as I resent the attitude some have towards the pair.
Is it because they?re both Scousers? As a Blue you understand your own club far better than those on the outside, the little abstract things that make a club tick, that are key components to its fabric and unique identity. Osman and Hibbert would fall under this category.
Do both suffer from the Rooney factor? That is, we have already had a very special home-grown talent, the one who had all our love, hope and dreams. Do we now, unintentionally at least, expect the same standard from all our other local lads? One thing we certainly do is burden them with the weight of expectation.
Yes, both have deficiencies, most footballers do, but what they bring to the side in positives far outweigh anything else.
Leon Osman is the most underrated footballer at the club. He is the closest thing we have to Mikel Arteta. Yes, my opinion may be out there, but in terms of ball control, skill, ingenuity, spatial awareness, and influence, he is indispensable. Everton look good when Leon Osman plays well. To suggest that is a coincidence is to underestimate Osman?s contribution. Yes, his form has dipped this season at times, but is that abnormal for a player who is STILL carrying a knee-injury which culminates in little or no training during the week? Osman still empties the tank when he pulls on the shirt though, injured or not. And that, I guess, is a measure of the man.
Tony Hibbert, defensively at least, compares favourably with any right back in Britain. Despite an endless amount of nose-bleeds when crossing the half-way line over the years, the penny seems to have finally dropped. He may, finally, have sussed it out. His attacking play has improved, his passing has improved, but most importantly, his confidence has improved. Even his nauseating ability to ball-watch has proved absent without leave.
Tony and Leon could have succumbed to the boos and taunts a long time ago, but both just continue to prove people wrong, unrelentingly, as they play their part in the Everton renaissance.
Both can be infuriating, both can make the wrong decision, but more often than not, both not only show real quality, but real pride in the Blue jersey.
Imagine Tony and Leon dancing around Wembley come late May, running together with the FA Cup. Isn?t that ? two local lads winning the greatest club cup competition on Earth with the team they love ? our idea of Blue heaven?
Reader Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
Two great Evertonians who "get" the club.
Both have their weaknesses but they typify everything I love about our team at the moment. Graft, commitment, and a "team-first" attitude.
Nothing would please me more that to see Hibbo get his first ever goal at Wembley next week!
Leon Osman is the most frustrating player we have.Without doubt he has bags of potemtial and like Joe says, when he plays well Everton play well.he just doesnt play well enough when it matters.With all due respect to the likes of Hull and WBA, we need him to turn on the style against the likes of Liverpool and United.Unfortunately he usually plays the big games incognito.
How valid a thought would it be to think that Tony Hibbert is only really getting match fit after that illness that struck him down a couple of Pre seasons ago, along with all of his niggly injuries?
However, the positives do outweigh the negatives - considerably. And besides all our players have at least one weakness, whether it be Howard with long range shots, Neville’s passing, Yobo’s concentration, Baines on crosses, Yak on workrate, Saha on fitness, Vaughan on judgement of tackles, Cahill on passing, Fellaini on tackling etc, etc, etc.
With Everton the sum is greater than the parts. Understand that and you’ll stop looking for individual deficiencies and look at what the team achieves - which has been a lot as it happens.
"With Everton the sum is greater than the parts" ? well said!
Should be the new club motto! Really ? I mean it!
Can you hionestly class Osman with Arteta?
And as for Osman for England, you must be joking, imagine him on a big pitch... he can't get round Goodison!
I remain Carragher being crucified by the crowd when he first broke into the 1st team and was played in midfield.
Every club seems to have a scapegoat(s), which crowds love to jump on as soon as a pass goes astray.
Witness Lucas for the RS who seems to take the blame for everything including the recent earthquake in Italy!
However, concerning Hibbert, our first choice RB, no-one doubts his 100% commitment to the cause, but a full back who can?t jump to head a ball, can?t deliver a cross, and often goes AWOL when the ball is played over his head, would not be my first choice, but then I?m not the manager.
As for Ossie, again, a great pro, but so often goes missing for large periods of the game, particularly away from home.
If we had a large transfer budget for players in their position, would they be first choice then?
It was always like this, mate, If there?s one single thing I could change about our club, it would be the treatment handed out by the fans to the local lads. Joe Royle, Peter Reid, Alan Harper, even the great Colin Harvey, all had their share of the "treatment". I never could understand it, is it jealousy because they are living the dream? Or do we some how feel they know what it means to us therefore they aren't entitled to bad games or dips in form.
The two players you're talking about along with Young Anichebe ? who was barely out of his teens ? took dog's abuse when we were playing some of the best teams in Europe a short while ago, even though it took a dodgy penalty at OT to finally see them off.
I sincerely hope Jack Rodwell doesn?t have to endure this "initiation".
Ossie is one of the few things I disagree with Tony Marsh on. I totally agree with you that when Ossie plays well he looks international class and he wears his EFC heart on his sleeve.
In the modern game we should be proud of all the players who pull on the Everton Jersey as there?s not a mercenary amongst them.
Hibbert will always be limited going forward but is a fantastic defender. Dishing out stick to them for lack of application is warranted but for perceived deficiencies in their ability is counter-productive.
Now you post his good points.
Get off his back and support the team;a team is 11 players of different styles and abilities blending together! Give me local lads over prima donnas every time. I've seen to many at Goodison over the years.
If you and others think Osman and Hibbert are good enough then it is no wonder we as a supporter base have such low expectation levels.
You have no idea of my connection and feelings towards EFC... Fans like you hold us back with your 'any old shite will do' attitude and you can take that to the bank.
Hibbert can?t pass water; he?s got pace and can put a decent tackle in but then you have to wonder why he needs to put in so many last-gasp tackles. For me, it?s because he has no football brain. He?s got no peripheral vision and is far too often caught out by balls over his shoulder or behind him and his pace gets him out of trouble. Does anyone think he can read a game? Watch his brain slowly tick over as he decides where to throw the ball.
And before you all start slagging me off for daring to criticise one of our players, remember one thing: good players come to the fore against good opposition ? anyone think Osman or Hibbert will significantly influence the matches against Villa and Man U?
For me the greatest question mark over the two lads is consistency. As Trevor said "Osman and Hibbert are honest footballers, maybe not world beaters, but they give their best, Nil satis nisi optimum" and until someone else does come along that is all we continue to ask.
Nevertheless, it?s a shame you?ve felt the need to undermine my piece but if it pleases you, that?s ok mate.
Statement number two: Ashley Cole, yet another of those so called superstars will be well and truly in Hibberts back pocket.
Based on past performances, guess which of the above statements is a figment of my imagination.
We all know they are not world beaters but Hibbert has been flawless this season. Osman.. inconsistent? But can make a huge difference when on blob.
Amazes me how Mr Marsh again determines himself the harbinger of all things knowledgeable about Everton ? I quote: "The fact that I have a higher expectation standard than you for a player representing this club is testament to my greater understanding of what is required for this club we follow."
This is the same person who predicted relegation for us during the transfer window fiasco in the summer... the same person who would have us replace David Moyes (with who?) and of course the same person who said that we will never progress under Moyes.
Obviously every ex-player, TV pundit and even SAF don't have a "greater understanding of what is required for this club we follow." because they all praise Moyes and this team to the rooftops. Nobody who plays for our team is "crap"; nobody who can score goals like Osman has in Europe and in the Premier League is "crap"; no defender who can keep quiet the recently voted best player in the world is "crap"... but what do I know... I have only been watching Everton since 1969? I will just sit back and watch my team today while Mr Marsh and co.. boo and scream at every stray pass or missed tackle.
Nil satis nisi optimum... should apply to the fans as well.
Hibbo, I love Hibbo. He has some of that Jagsy "No-one shall pass" ethic, and there?s hardly a winger out there getting past him. That he doesn?t flurry down the wing like Dani fucking Alves... well, we have some work before comparing to Barcelona...
And for those who say he wouldn?t fit in other top 8 teams: Who are actually better? Sagna surely, Bosingwa too, I guess, but I wouldn?t exchange him for the ugly, bad Neville brother, Dirk Kuyt, Carragher, Belletti, Ivanovic (though in the future who knows?), Luke Young, O?Shea, Arbeloa, Reo bloody Coker, Melchiot or whoever is right back for the Spammers. Not for Chimbonda or Hutton (with his Colombian flu) or Zokora either.
There aren?t many good right backs in the PL, but Hibbo is surely among the better ones.
I’m sure your English teacher would deduct marks for failing to read the question properly!
Only joking :)
It just seemed a tad underhand and snidey. I must learn to read the question! ;)
Moyes must forsake his love child and get someone on in his place. Anyone with a bit of power or at least enthusiasm regardless of age or youth.
I definately saw Osman coming out of the tunnel but then he disappeared.
Overall I thought we played well and just found Carew too much of a handful, but a decent result none the less.
Osman is a player I would have in my squad but to start with him and Pienaar in the midfield means you are losing out in the physical contest and I think that we can only play one of them at a time. And I?d choose Pienaar every day.
Other than that there is no possible reason why someone paid 30/40,000 quid per week to kick a ball can make such a totally useless job of it. Never in my life has one man caused me to delete so many expletives in one short letter.
Hibbert struggled today but generally he?s great defensively: I rate him.
I think the point of the post was that we are a financially poor club and we?ve unearthed 2 Premier League quality players that cost us nothing and give 100%
Whether you think they?re good enough or not, whilst they give us 100% they deserve cheers rather than boos and if we get the money to replace them, so much the better. But until then, support them and give them 100% as they do for us.
"Whether you think they?re good enough or not, whilst they give us 100% they deserve cheers rather than boos and if we get the money to replace them, so much the better. But until then, support them and give them 100% as they do for us."
Yes, he does have a habit of being caught in possession occasionally, but there?s a reason for this; he simply never plays an easy hoof forward to no-one in particular. Never. Ever. Unlike plenty others we?ve had over the years. He?s always looking to create. Looking for a telling ball. LOOKING TO PLAY FOOTBALL.
There again, Kevin Sheedy used to get stick from these clowns didn?t he? I?m old enough and ugly enough to remember that. The most naturally gifted player of our greatest team. (Go and have a look at Tricky?s goal against Bayern if you?re feeling inclined to disagree in any way with that view.) So Ossie shouldn?t worry, he?s in very, very good company.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to Column articles, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 11/04/2009 at 15:08:53
Report abuse