2019/20 Tom Davies

[rockin' robin]

We stagnated at that level due to lack of investment which meant we had to keep players like Osman around. I still shudder at Neville and Osman in that midfield.

Agree on Neville. Think osman given to much stick. Not suited to some games and some of our style of play at times, but a skill full little player who won us some games and always gave his all.

 

[MACCA75]

at Davies age Osman hadn't even kicked a ball in professional football yet

That’s not true. I think this season has been a great audition for Tom, and it would be a huge stretch to suggest he’s passed it. Really shouldn’t be getting many games next season.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I've seen enough of him now to realise he's not good enough, sadly.

 

[kenada_blue]

Osman wasn’t good enough but was better than Davies. I think time has pulled the wool of some people’s eyes in regards to Osman’s talent.

I don't there's been any wool pulled over in regards to Osman. Even if we got that dynamo midfielder and a 20 goals a season striker...he was still good enough to be part of that squad at that time.

It's the idea of getting rid of a 21 year old from a 25 man squad for "not being good enough" that's the problem

 

[14towestham]

Osman was a mid table level Premier performer who did what it said on the tin.

Davies is clearly nowhere near a mid level Prem perfomer, he would have to prove he is up to
Championship level when he drops down.

Osman and Hibbert's dismal performances in the Cup final v Chelsea showed how far away those two were from the top 4 sides and was a huge reason why we didnt bridge the gap bar 1 season and won nothing.

Osmans hunger, drive, tackling, first touch, stamina, vision, speed, scoring record are all way ahead of Davies so what does that say about were we are.

 

[brieverton]

I can see where you are coming from.

I am leaning heavily on what Brand's said a few days ago about only bringing in 2/3 players and nothing extravagant.

I think right wing is the first priority, as we only have Walcott.
Secondly, central midfield, as even though we have lots of options the quality isn't there/
Thirdly, I think we need another centre half.

If we went beyond that, I would look at right back.

And then, I would look at another central midfielder.

I hope this is the strategy, we need to be very targeted with available resources.

Get two signings right and perhaps another in January - that makes a massive difference in its own right which can then be built on the following season.

In two seasons the starting XI alone can look radically different. I'm fully prepared to wait and be patient if we can be seen to make sustainable progress.

We can still use loans and frees to embellish the squad on a minimal-risk basis where necessary, but on principle and in our position I think we are asking for trouble if we try to accomodate too many signings in a single window. It causes problems with cohesion and players adpating and settling in and just creates the kind of pressures that ironically lead to a temptation to repeat the same mistakes the following summer, with the same outcome.

 

[Lanolin]

I don't there's been any wool pulled over in regards to Osman. Even if we got that dynamo midfielder and a 20 goals a season striker...he was still good enough to be part of that squad at that time.

It's the idea of getting rid of a 21 year old from a 25 man squad for "not being good enough" that's the problem

If I were to look in the vaults, would I find that you are consistent in this argument and used it regarding it, say, Vlasic and Sandro? Bear in mind that i've already done it before you answer.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

He'll net tonight

 

[tonka1878]

Hair net tonight

Slightly more likely.

 

[Eggs]

Osman was a mid table level Premier performer who did what it said on the tin.

Davies is clearly nowhere near a mid level Prem perfomer, he would have to prove he is up to
Championship level when he drops down.

Osman and Hibbert's dismal performances in the Cup final v Chelsea showed how far away those two were from the top 4 sides and was a huge reason why we didnt bridge the gap bar 1 season and won nothing.

Osmans hunger, drive, tackling, first touch, stamina, vision, speed, scoring record are all way ahead of Davies so what does that say about were we are.

...it staggers me how people categorise players into a standard; ‘DCL is a Championship player”; “Osman is a mid-table Premier performer.”

A player can be exactly what a team needs, regardless of where they are in the league. It’s about team model, it’s about blend. Osman was a full England international and looked perfectly at home at that level because of his quality. Significantly underrated, a little maestro of a footballer.

 

[blue1948]

...it staggers me how people categorise players into a standard; ‘DCL is a Championship player”; “Osman is a mid-table Premier performer.”

A player can be exactly what a team needs, regardless of where they are in the league. It’s about team model, it’s about blend. Osman was a full England international and looked perfectly at home at that level because of his quality. Significantly underrated, a little maestro of a footballer.

I agree it is all about the team at the time .

 

[Saint Domingo]

Osman and Neville in their primes would destroy any midfield pairing we put out at the moment. Both of them played far beyond their limitations which quite frankly you can’t say about anyone in the current squad.

 

[Lanolin]

...it staggers me how people categorise players into a standard; ‘DCL is a Championship player”; “Osman is a mid-table Premier performer.”

A player can be exactly what a team needs, regardless of where they are in the league. It’s about team model, it’s about blend. Osman was a full England international and looked perfectly at home at that level because of his quality. Significantly underrated, a little maestro of a footballer.

True to a point but surely we all categorise players to some extent? There are players you see who you think we might struggle to keep hold of, players who you think are good players for where we are, and players you think are probably not good enough for what we're trying to do. I wouldn't be surprised if Richarlison moved on to a bigger club than us for example, but i'd be amazed if Cuco Martina did. Would you disagree then?

 

[MikeH72]

Osman and Neville in their primes would destroy any midfield pairing we put out at the moment. Both of them played far beyond their limitations which quite frankly you can’t say about anyone in the current squad.

Neville was grim in midfield, he was a decent right back for us.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Neville was grim in midfield, he was a decent right back for us.

I remember him just doing the basics well. He was a good foil for Arteta or Osman next to him. He covered the full backs, he could put a tackle in, and he tracked runners. Yeah he’s not the best holding midfielder we ever had but he was often at the base of midfields that could legitimately wipe the floor with poorer teams and finished top 7 regularly. Compared to what has followed that’s a league away from the likes of Schneiderlin Siggurdson Davies etc who can turn up at Goodison and get annihilated by a side at the bottom of the table.