Osman is our Steven Gerrard

, Daily Star , 7 April, 50comments  |  Jump to most recent
According to the Daily Star, David Moyes has hailed unsung Goodison hero Leon Osman as Everton's Steven Gerrard. And he insists there will always be a place for the workaholic midfielder as long as he is in charge at Goodison.

Osman, 31, has sparkled this season to earn an England call-up from Roy Hodgson and help keep Everton in the hunt for a return to Europe.

Moyes said: “Leon has got better with time — he's become an essential midfield player and he's been fantastic this season.

“He was always the one with the most football intelligence — you'd explain something to him and he'd know exactly what was wanted.

“I don't think he'll ever get the proper credit — he went out on loan to Carlisle and Derby and he's had to graft for everything he's got.

“For him to be capped is great for the boy and something for a lot of players who maybe think they can't get there. Grant Holt and Rickie Lambert will see that.

“I can see him being here at the club as a coach like Alan Stubbs and Duncan Ferguson.

“Stevie Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are the heartbeat at Liverpool. Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert are here in their own way.

“Leon's been so consistent all season — he's one of the first on the teamsheet but I wouldn't tell him that!” He said: “We're going to have to swim the Channel to have any real shout, it's tough.

“We're going to have to win at least one unexpected match to have a chance. But the expectations won't be on us and we tend to get a bit of momentum at this time of year.”

Quotes or other material sourced from Daily Star



Reader Comments (50)

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


Ernie Baywood
1 Posted 07/04/2013 at 04:58:46
Wouldn't mind seeing that interview because, from the quotes published, it's a fkin weird one.
Ajay Gopal
2 Posted 07/04/2013 at 04:43:43
Ossie is a good player to have in your side - in spite of their limitations, it is essential for a club like Everton to have a couple of local lads like Osman and Hibbert who can connect with the fans and by their attitude and commitment, communicate to the new players coming in what the club stands for. I hope players like Barkley and McAleny and some others can be the new Ossie and Hibbo (obviously, a little more skill and strength and goals won't be unwelcome..:-)....)
James Brand
3 Posted 07/04/2013 at 08:05:04
Hahah thought this was a late april fool article! !!
Carl Sanderson
4 Posted 07/04/2013 at 08:12:22
Moyes is Manager of the Month and now Ossie has a job for life.. it's certainly Good News Week for a few on here. 😉
Peter Thistle
5 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:11:11
Behave Moyes
Sam Morrison
6 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:12:48
As incongruous as the comparison may be, I wonder what percentage of posters on here will have anything positive to say about Osman, a player who was shoved out of position for years and when played in the middle has been reasonably consistent for us.
Paul Doyle
7 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:18:52
Obviously an out-of-date April Fool from the Ginger One... sadly not.
Phil Walling
8 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:28:40
I can feel a love-hug for Naismith coming any day soon.
`He`s our new.....er...James Mc Fadden ,don`t ye know!`
John Nelson
9 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:32:19
"He's the one with the most intelligence"

So, better than Fellaini, Gibson, Mirallas, Pienaar and Baines then Moyesy yeah?

I don't like having a pop just before an unbelievably important game today but if these comments are true he does need to have a fucking word.

Ian Bennett
10 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:47:53
He is one of our most intelligent players, but with a lack of pace and strength, he needs it. Leon has played well over recent seasons. He's a good Premier League player, not a great one.

Possibly unfair, but I think he looks better as the overall midfield quality in the Premier League has declined across the board compared to 5 to 10 years ago. The better players are very long in the tooth, whereas the next batch are pretty young. Not many fall into the 26-30 bracket.

Kevin Hudson
11 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:52:17
To be fair, I don't think he's comparing his ability to Gerrard.

This of course wouldn't stop the 'Daily Star,' from running the eye-catching headline!

Carra/ Gerrard - local boys, one-club men & heart-and soul of their club...

Osman/ Hibbert - likewise.

Carl Sanderson
12 Posted 07/04/2013 at 09:59:00
John 717:

I don't think we should take quotes like that too literally. Pienaar, Fellaini and, it appears, Mirallas will all be missing today; Moyes's comments are probably aimed at Osman himself, or possibly at Roy Hodgson. They may be designed to give Osman a lift before a crucial game.

After all, if we believed everything we read and hear, Joe Cole would playing for Barcelona now.

And Lionel Messi would be slumming it at West Ham. 😊

Paul Dark
13 Posted 07/04/2013 at 10:28:42
A good a reason as any for Moyes to go. Osman is shocking, simply shocking.

To compare him to Gerrard is embarrassing. One is a world-class player, the other is a duffer.

If Moyes goes to Schalke 04, let's hope he puts in an offer for the indomitable Leon.

Osman shouldn't be even in our squad, let alone on the bench or the team!

Carl Sanderson
14 Posted 07/04/2013 at 10:57:54
"Osman is shocking, simply shocking."

Wrong. He is a really good player. Excellent first touch, can pick a pass and can score goals.

"To compare him to Gerrard is embarrassing."

The comparison was with Gerrard as the "heartbeat" of the club, not as a player.

"One is a world-class player, the other is a duffer."

Gerrard WAS a world-class player, Osman... see above.

"If Moyes goes to Schalke 04, let's hope he puts in an offer for the indomitable Leon."

Good pun, nice one.

" shouldn't be even in our squad, let alone on the bench or the team!"

And yet he's good enough for England..

James Martin
15 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:02:09
John 717, just because some of those players are better doesn't mean they have more football intelligence. In the last few weeks we've seen stupid suspensions from Fellaini and Pienaar, hardly intelligent. Baines despite rapid improvement sover the last two seasons for a long time had positional problems playing at left back. Mirallas as good as he is can go missing out of a game for half an hour, takes on people down blind alleys and takes corners even when having a hamstring that could pop at any minute. My list for Fellaini is endless, lack of vision, inability to play holding mid in the right posiitonal way, constantly losing his man on set pieces, playing passes too slowly behind people. Its just my opinion, but I think along with Gibson and Pienaar, Osman uses the ball most creatively in our team, knows how to play the position of central midfield well and form a discipline point of view is less stupid than others.
Paul Dark
16 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:16:50
Carl: Osman constantly puts the whole team under pressure by losing the ball consistently when we're going forward. He's often caught in possession. Once in a while, he has an OK game - but he NEVER has a good game.

I don't rate Hodgson, and Osman being called up for England is also laughable.

Nothing will come of us while Osman is in the team. It is the other very high quality players around him who have managed to hide his salient shortcomings.

Also: he can't tackle and is all too often bundled off the ball.

He isn't good enough, in my view. We would have more points this season if Leon hadn't played a single match.

Why is no one interested in signing him if he's (so) good?

James Martin
17 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:28:00
Paul hasn't Osman got osme of the highest passing stats for our team this season? I'd be curious to know because when I watch him he gives a few balls away when tyring to thread eye of the needle stuff in and around the box but is usually one of our tidiest players in possession with a good passing range of either foot. He also throws more tackles in than Rodwell ever used to. Yes he's occasionally bundled off the ball but so is any player who is not 6'4 and built like a machine. If you watch Iniesta or Messi for long enough (this is not a direct comparison of their football skills before someone jumps down my throat) then they get pushed off the ball in the matches, Iniesta doesn't tackle much either and sometimes gives the ball away.

If you want Osman to be perfect and built like a Stoke player then you're always going to be disappointed. If giving away possession, missing tackle and being bundled off the ball annoyes you then I suggest you look around the team because those diseases are rife and Osman is by no means the worst culprit.

Tony Marsh
18 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:31:15
Great stuff, Davey. Wait until the derby at Anfield when as usual Gerrard runs riot and Osman goes for a cup of tea.

Osman is useless beyond belief. Leon might pop up with the odd goal here and there and put in a semi decent shift against a minnow side once in while but his he is still crap. Osman's bad points far outwiegh his decent bits. In fact I don't know what it is Leon is supposed to do well. He is too weak and slow to be effective in the Premier League.

I think Osman is the luckiest man on the planet to have stayed in the top flight for so long. Leon Osman is another Mike Milligan. As another poster says, who else has ever been interested in him? No-one is the answer. It's only a mug like Moyes who would come out with such shite.

Moyes doesn't know his arse from his elbow.

Eugene Ruane
19 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:39:16
James - " If you watch Iniesta or Messi for long enough (this is not a direct comparison of their football skills before someone jumps down my throat)"

WHAT!!?? SO YOU'RE COMPARING OSMAN TO MES........... oh,..er..as you were.

Graham Mockford
20 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:36:44
James #748

I suspect you are wasting your time. Paul Dark's hatred of Leon borders on the pathological and he has trotted this stuff out on numerous occasions.

Now we are all entitled to an opinion but it always seems strange to me how a supporter of a football team can put so much energy into denigrating one of their own players, especially in this case one who came through our youth team, has played over 300 games, scored 50 goals, represented his country and generally worn the blue shirt with distinction.

Carl Sanderson
21 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:35:50
"Osman constantly puts the whole team under pressure by losing the ball consistently when we're going forward."

Constantly? I don't think so.

"He's often caught in possession."

Sometimes, yes, but name me a player who isn't. (Apart from Joe Allen, obviously. 😊)

"Once in a while, he has an OK game - but he NEVER has a good game."

Nonsense.

"I don't rate Hodgson, and Osman being called up for England is also laughable."

You're entitled to that opinion.

"Nothing will come of us while Osman is in the team. It is the other very high quality players around him who have managed to hide his salient shortcomings."

So well hidden are they that I can't spot them all, it seems. Again, I don't share your opinion.

Also: he can't tackle and is all too often bundled off the ball.

I disagree: he can put in a tackle. Bundled off the ball? Yes, that's true, but then in a well-balanced midfield there should be other players who will compensate for that, a la Reid for Sheedy.

"He isn't good enough, in my view."

You're entitled to your opinion.

"We would have more points this season if Leon hadn't played a single match."

Really?

"Why is no one interested in signing him if he's (so) good?"

Not many people bid for Lionel Messi in the transfer window. Shite, him.

Paul Dark
22 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:43:46
James: many of the passes he completes are sideways or backwards (I don't know the statistics).

I certainly don't want us to have any similarity to Stoke (ugly, thuggish, horrible team of cheats), but I do think Leon is shrugged off the ball more than other players. He does make the odd good tackle (ten to fifteen a season, at most) but fouls a lot too. He's out of his depth in the middle of the park - and not a winger. There's no place for him in our team. Of course, it's only my humble opinion (informed by my eyes).

if people are desperate to see him in a blue shirt, he should be brought on with 5 minutes to go when we're three goals or more up ... :-) . He'd be less of a liability then.

Paul Dark
23 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:55:26
Carl: thank you for allowing me to be 'entitled' to some opinions. Most gracious, I'm sure ... :-)

Almost all football teams would like to sign Lionel Messi - but virtually no one has interest in signing Leon 'Zizou' Osman. I would've thought that's pretty obvious. You don't seem flustered about making the link to Messi. It's all rather funny (is Leom our Lionel, too?). Still, to each his own, I dare say.

Let's hope we bring home the bacon today. Vital, vital game with Bale missing, too. A late 0-1 would do me, with Jelly doing the honours ... .

John Barnes
24 Posted 07/04/2013 at 11:55:36
Osman isn't the worst but I think Moyes' words are misplaced. To me it just a pity he's not just a bit bigger, stronger, faster. It wouldnt need to be by that much, but his weakness or fraillty, call it what you will is his biggest downfall. Maybe static, marked players are the reason he gets hustled as he looks for options etc, but maybe the opposition know that once you either steal the ball from him, out-muscle him, run past him he's never gonna catch you up. Once he's lost possession he's completely out of the game. Because of that I'm surprised he's played so many games and isn't either subbed, or used as a sub more often. But he's an Everton player so I support him 100%. England international? Kendall never won a cap, Harvey only one...hmmm
Carl Sanderson
25 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:09:29
Paul:

Your painfully unfunny attempts at humour do you no credit, as does your wilful misunderstanding of my post. You ARE entItled to your opinion, as I am to mine.

I will agree with your closing sentiment, however. Although I don't care who scores the winner, but it would be nice if it were Ossie. 😉

Robbie Muldoon
26 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:11:50
My predicament a couple of weeks ago after the Wigan game was what to do if David MOyes is still in charge of the club next season. My spirit has been somewhat diminished during his tenure particularly in the last 6 years and I for one will be gutted to see him sign a new contract. But Moyes is not the problem. If we want to fix this club we need to make it clear that Kenwright is not wanted. W"e fear change, and that's a bad state of mind to be in. We should want change, a change that brings fresh blood in to the club, hope, ambition and ultimately glory days. Evertonians need to embrace a desire for change for the love of Everton Football Club and only then will there be any chance of us going forward. The alternative... be scared, have a chairman who fears losing a manager so he payes unjustifiably high wages to keep his services and keeps any pressure off himself because Moyes will maintain mediocrity and will not rock the boat. COYBs
Graham Mockford
27 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:17:16
Just out of interest it seems that the Everton player this season with the most successful tackles (57) and most successful passes (1295) is ...... Leon Osman.

Now statistics aren't everything but they may put some of Paul's ranting into perspective.

http://blog.squawka.com/2013/04/07/spurs-today-face-europes-most-creative-player/201304076979

By the way it's Leighton who has created the most chances of any player in Europe.

Dean Adams
28 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:27:19
Paul Dark – you are right about Ossie losing the ball consistently when we're going forward. He regularly puts the defence under pressure, at both ends of the park!
Brent Stephens
29 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:42:29
Ah, the Dark arts - again! Will it never end? Consistently our worst...
Mark Frere
30 Posted 07/04/2013 at 12:15:38
Oman is a very good player on his day, he was excellent in the derby and in the 2-1 victory against West Ham earlier this season. The trouble is he has some very bad games as well, I think if he was played in his correct position from a young age we would all of seen a much better player.

I still can't believe the amount of stick he gets on here. He certainly hasn't been one of our worst players this season and all-in-all he has been an asset for us.

The players that have been truly shocking are Neville, Naismith and Heitinga; if I had my way, they would never kick a football for Everton again

Thomas Windsor
31 Posted 07/04/2013 at 13:06:30
I like Osman. I think he been a good player for us, but not a top class player — very few of them come along. But he's a good player, yes.
Philip Quilliam
32 Posted 07/04/2013 at 13:17:41
I am amazed that many of you guys on this web site don't get fed up slagging off Everton players, manger, board and chairman. Over this season posts have stated Moyes is tactically clueless, Neville, Osman, Naismith, Heitinga, Hibbert & Anichebe are all shit to varying degrees, Howard is past it/mistake prone, Fellaini is totally overrated, Jelavic is woefully short of form and should be dropped, Distin is too slow and a liability, Barkley is too ill disciplined. Despite all this shitness we are 6th in the Premier League and, even if the doom mongers dismiss the possibility, it is in our own hands to finish in the top 4. I am really glad that none of you is my line manager because your standards are impossibly high to achieve.
Brent Stephens
33 Posted 07/04/2013 at 13:35:24
Philip, it's worse than that.According to one guy we have a shit physio, which explains all the injuries.
Carl Sanderson
34 Posted 07/04/2013 at 13:36:55
Philip 782:

Too bloody right. Excellent post.

Kevin Hudson
35 Posted 07/04/2013 at 13:44:17
Paul, you say, "we would have more points this season if Leon hadn't played in a single match."

I'm not Leon's biggest fan either, but what exactly are you basing your argument on?

Surely not his equalising goal in the Derby?

Or his goal in the 2-1 win over Wigan?

Or on any of his 8 goals this season, which from memory, is the best goal-return of his career?

At no point in the interview did Moyes insist Osman is as good a player as Gerrard; Merely that his career-long dedication to Everton is something he appreciates.

..and don't forget, the 'Daily Star,' is a comic, nothing more.

Tom Bowers
36 Posted 07/04/2013 at 14:16:52
Well, Moyes has finally come out of the closet, so to speak, regarding his undying love of Osman — or is it just dementia? What Gerrard has done for RS far outweighs anything Osman has done for Everton.

This statement by Moyes just underlines what has been wrong at Goodison for many years despite the claim of insufficient finance.

Paul Andrews
38 Posted 07/04/2013 at 15:04:02
Osman is not in the game here, a few times he has been on the ball he has misplaced his pass or been muscled out of it. Barkley in behind Victor and Oviedo wide left.
Ross Edwards
40 Posted 07/04/2013 at 16:27:35
As one of the favourites, Moyes is obviously going to say that. But when it gets to Mirallas, a player in form, he says he is "struggling with the intensity of the Premier League". So he has a pop at our best player at the moment, but compares Osman, who has had a dreadful last two games, to Gerrard?
It's laughable.
Sam Morrison
41 Posted 07/04/2013 at 16:56:10
Ross - I may be mistaken but I believe Moyes was referring to Mirallas' injuries.
Dennis Shaw
42 Posted 07/04/2013 at 19:38:11
Steven Gerard just spat his coffee out when he read that
Patrick Murphy
43 Posted 07/04/2013 at 19:41:14
Ossie certainly didn't live up to the managers hype today did he? I generally like the little guy but today he was found wanting and if you had a choice you would always take Parker over Ossie every time.
Paul Ferry
45 Posted 08/04/2013 at 02:16:10
Osman is not local he's from Parbold,

They are great stats Graham (768) and thanks for bringing them up. Would not have guessed that myself at all. I say that because whilst not necessarily being Marshist on Osman I think he is limited, light, goes missing far too often, and, in a nutshell, if he left us, and he is in his Grand Old Lady twilight. I would simply say thanks and good luck with real feeling.

Great stats making me think am I missing something. Love to be challenged on what I think, cheers.

Paul Ferry
46 Posted 08/04/2013 at 04:57:03
Osman is Geoff Nulty on acid.
James Stewart
47 Posted 08/04/2013 at 14:39:32
Agreed Osman has improved with age but he consistently can't last 90 mins and yet he's never subbed.
Patrick Murphy
48 Posted 08/04/2013 at 17:39:55
I wonder if DM has the shirts of the players he would like to buy and makes our players wear them in training? "Right Ossie today you're Gerrard here's the England shirt with his name on the back", "Kevin you can be Bale, Anni here's Drogba's shirt and Naisie well you can be yourself as I can't think of anyone quite like you in world football". "oh and Pip I'm taking my missus out tonight can you Iron my shirt for me? Ta"

Carl Sanderson
49 Posted 08/04/2013 at 19:34:06
Patrick:

Actually, if Bale had scored the goal that Mirallas did yesterday the media would be absolutely raving about it.

James Stewart
50 Posted 08/04/2013 at 20:20:36
Mirallas is looking more and more like Ronaldo everyweek. The goal yesterday was absolute class.
Richard Tarleton
51 Posted 10/04/2013 at 11:37:50
He's an an enigma as a player, you can't doubt his commitment, and I instantly think of two outstanding goals against Man City in recent seasons, the header two years ago and his "wrong foot" volley this season, but what exactly is he?

As a midfielder his passing skills are limited, mainly playing short, obvious passes, his tackling is frankly a liability, resulting often in free kicks to the opposition, and he isn't particularly good at reading the game and intercepting to win possession.

As a striker he lacks presence and is not the fastest, as a winger he can't really go past a man, because of a lack of pace, yet he has "clever" feet and can trick players in close encounters. He's obviously a good club man and his commitment and willingness to play in the role he's put have endeared him to that lover of flair and skill, Moyes.

Tony J Williams
52 Posted 10/04/2013 at 12:18:16
He losses the ball often because he seems to be only one of three in the team (Mirallas & Baines) who actively try and take on players.
Robbie Muldoon
53 Posted 10/04/2013 at 12:35:47
Osman is our achilles heel.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

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 Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads