Everton v Cardiff City. 15th March at 15.00.

[Chang Elephant]

Problem is there are no stats available for when Osman literally disappears from the pitch

 

[peteblue]

We'll batter these 3-0........

 

[bicycleheader]

Mate I try and see the best in every player, but I've had enough of Osman. I've watched him, like all of us, for over a decade so I bloody know what he does and doesn't do.

He is poor defensively, he is weak, fragile and I recall a statistic from a while ago that said he was the most dribbled past player in the entire league. That's appalling.

He has qualities, fair enough. Hyperbole aside he can pick a decent pass and has always scored goals, even if he misses many, many more chances with his powderpuff shots. But too often he's the weak link and his inconsistency is painful. We need better.

Yep, we totally need better.

My main point is its not as simple as "ffs Osman is in the team, everything is terrible. Martinez is pathetic".

He is picked for a reason because he can read a game, pick a pass better than most of the options we have in the final third apart from Pienaar. Holds the ball up cleverly at times and finds his man. Really simple stuff at times, but with the rest of our attack they just dont have footballing intelligence yet.

So yeah him and Pienaar arent good enough and can be very bad at times but we need them for our style. One of them has to play really. I see it as essential. A team of Deulo, McGeady, Lukaku, Ross and Mirallas would fail to connect with the defence and mids. We need Pienaar/Osman or a new signing like them, but better, to mix with the rest of what we have.

Like I said previously, he is picking a TEAM/tactic and, without Pienaar, Osman is a key part of it whether we like it or not.

so,... thats for @FTY too I guess.

 

[Socrates]

I do like reading your musings Chico and for me, this one is the best yet.

I loved the near the knuckle comments on Tan especially.

Keep up the good work.

2-0 Everton. Lukaku and Deulofeu.

 

[mythbuster]

Moan, moan, moan.

Sacl all that - c'mon Ossie lad.

 

[ijjysmith]

Can't wait for @Mikey_Fitzgerald 's post match Deulofeu fumes.

 

[Fuleco]

Can't wait for @Mikey_Fitzgerald 's post match Deulofeu fumes.

I certainly can.

 

[RFUS]

Yep, we totally need better.

My main point is its not as simple as "ffs Osman is in the team, everything is terrible. Martinez is pathetic".

He is picked for a reason because he can read a game, pick a pass better than most of the options we have in the final third apart from Pienaar. Holds the ball up cleverly at times and finds his man. Really simple stuff at times, but with the rest of our attack they just dont have footballing intelligence yet.

So yeah him and Pienaar arent good enough and can be very bad at times but we need them for our style. One of them has to play really. I see it as essential. A team of Deulo, McGeady, Lukaku, Ross and Mirallas would fail to connect with the defence and mids. We need Pienaar/Osman or a new signing like them, but better, to mix with the rest of what we have.

Like I said previously, he is picking a TEAM/tactic and, without Pienaar, Osman is a key part of it whether we like it or not.

so,... thats for @FTY too I guess.

I know, mate. I wasn't even saying Barkley should be playing. The real issue here is our criminal lack of depth.

But I just can't get past the fact that Osman is just not even close to being good enough. I cry whenever he plays.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Osman
Weaknesses - physically weak and easily muscled off ball, current stamina as rarely lasts over 60 mins, tackling

Strengths - good at finding space in a crowded opposition boxes both for himself and passes to others, quick thinking, turns with ball moving from defence to attack, aerial duels (esp given size, similar to Naismith)

A lot of his strengths/weaknesses are the opposite of Barkley which is why they should be used in different situations.

Not saying Osman is the best we have or can get but at the current time he offers some skills that our other players don't

 

[bicycleheader]

Why are people writing about people being disappointing with the Barkley Osman choice? It's not the first time he has done this and we have had are arses bitten notably Palace away and Sunderland home. You can shove your patience, all that matters is this 3 points today and then the same next week and so on.

Okay....just play promising youngsters into the ground and play them through periods of lacking fitness and maybe confidence....just because you want three points.

I for one am glad we have a manager who thinks a bit more than that short sightedness.

 

[bicycleheader]

I know, mate. I wasn't even saying Barkley should be playing. The real issue here is our criminal lack of depth.

But I just can't get past the fact that Osman is just not even close to being good enough. I cry whenever he plays.

Ha fair enough.

It wont be for too much longer I'm sure.

And if it is...it will be because our club didn't spend, not because Bobby plays favourites IMO

 

[RFUS]

Ha fair enough.

It wont be for too much longer I'm sure.

And if it is...it will be because our club didn't spend, not because Bobby plays favourites IMO

Of course. Kenwright is, as ever, the root of our problems.

 

[Fuleco]

Starting Deulefeou is a good call, should see a lot of the ball today and hopefully this is enough to convince him the right place for his development.

 

[hktoffee]

Nothing but 3 points today please Everton. That is if we are going to get a Europa spot.

 

[Ducans elbow]

lets put a show on today, we are due one