FAN ARTICLES

Spare a thought for Ossie

Leon Osman didn't appear to have a great game today and I'll admit to a familiar sigh of "bloody hell Ossie" on more than one occasion. However, I did notice him appear to get battered on more than one occasion; once by Van der Sar and once by his own player when back defending the Utd box (I can?t just remember who but it nearly took his head off!). I for one don't normally associate a blood and guts performance with Ossie, but perhaps we don't give him the credit he deserves.

Every time he?s on the team sheet we see him huffing and puffing away for 90 minutes in a position that clearly does not suit his strengths. He's Moyes's loyal terrier, that's for sure, and probably follows the manager?s instructions to a tee. I can only assume that's why Moyes picks him. But he doesn?t complain to the press about being played out of position (Gosling anyone?) and we never hear about any kind of contract negotiations.

On a bad day, as well as easily being muscled off the ball, every move he makes has already been completely anticipated by the opposition defense. He doesn't have the pace to out-run them, he always runs inside and unless he receives the ball at pace, his shot is powder-puff. So despite his valiant efforts, his performances can seem laboured and lacking in energy.

Compare this to someone like Cahill who miscontrols just as many balls and is hardly the quickest himself, but is played in his favoured position. Cahill is less of a gentleman than Ossie and scraps and claws his way up the pitch to throw everything he has at the ball. His strengths are his head and his mentality and he is given an area of the pitch that allows him to use them.

Every time he plays, Cahill looks like he shouldn?t be able to walk for at least 2 days after the game he gives that much. But I wonder if we'd be so forgiving of his footballing ability if he was stuck wide right? We saw last week that even Rodwell's graceful style of play wavered when not in his preferred central position.

So maybe we don?t give our much-maligned central midfielder enough credit for sacrificing his preferred position for a place in the team. And just because he doesn?t win diving headers and constantly tussle with opposition defenses doesn?t mean he?s not as battle weary as those that do. I?m sure he could stake a claim for a central position in another Premier League team and be paid at least as handsomely as he is at Everton.

But I get the impression he?d rather be between the sticks at Everton than in his preferred central midfield roll at any other club. In an age where we?re quick to condemn the perceived lack of loyalty shown by Premier League footballers, it seems a bit ironic that we don?t equally appreciate those who are.

That said, I bloody wish we?d bought Donovan in the summer?!

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