Osula and Jebbison

[Bergen Blade]

Heckingbottom admitted Osula and Jebbison had a tough day today against Scunthorpe. They have mostly been played together in pre season and I think we're hoping that they - at some - point will be a good partnership. They have a lot of good attributes, and if they can make it work, it sounds so promising to have two big, fast and direct goalscorers causing havoc up front.

I think there are scenarios where they can already be useful. If we're leading 2-0 and want to control the remaining 10-15 minutes - putting the two of them on to chase and run in behind can be effective against a tired opposition who don't really want to track back. It could mean we could play a counter attacking game without pushing too many players forward.

But there are also scenarios where they won't be of great use, and today was one. Despite being big lads, their hold up play is poor. They may have had it easy as youngsters, where their size possibly have been enough to hold off defenders. But experienced pro defenders will match their size and will know what it takes to get their foot on the ball. Too often some pressure, a little shrug is enough for defenders to beat them to the ball, or make their first touch so poor that attacks break down.

We've seen a few of the team's shooting and passing drills on youtube, but Jebbo and Osula should also work extensively on keeping the ball under pressure. Billy Sharp is a master and can show them a tip or two. Ndiaye can be good as well. Today the ball didn't stick at all up front and it played a part in the first half being an embarrassment.

Having seen some combination play from them against Lincoln (Jebbison jumped over the ball for Osula to finish for one goal) I thought it made sense to keep them around for the time being, but their performance today may mean at least one of them will be sent on loan to gain more experience.

 

[SufcBilly]

Heckingbottom admitted Osula and Jebbison had a tough day today against Scunthorpe. They have mostly been played together in pre season and I think we're hoping that they - at some - point will be a good partnership. They have a lot of good attributes, and if they can make it work, it sounds so promising to have two big, fast and direct goalscorers causing havoc up front.

I think there are scenarios where they can already be useful. If we're leading 2-0 and want to control the remaining 10-15 minutes - putting the two of them on to chase and run in behind can be effective against a tired opposition who don't really want to track back. It could mean we could play a counter attacking game without pushing too many players forward.

But there are also scenarios where they won't be of great use, and today was one. Despite being big lads, their hold up play is poor. They may have had it easy as youngsters, where their size possibly have been enough to hold off defenders. But experienced pro defenders will match their size and will know what it takes to get their foot on the ball. Too often some pressure, a little shrug is enough for defenders to beat them to the ball, or make their first touch so poor that attacks break down.

We've seen a few of the team's shooting and passing drills on youtube, but Jebbo and Osula should also work extensively on keeping the ball under pressure. Billy Sharp is a master and can show them a tip or two. Ndiaye can be good as well. Today the ball didn't stick at all up front and it played a part in the first half being an embarrassment.

Having seen some combination play from them against Lincoln (Jebbison jumped over the ball for Osula to finish for one goal) I thought it made sense to keep them around for the time being, but their performance today may mean at least one of them will be sent on loan to gain more experience.

I think Osula is ahead of Jebbo in the pecking order of strikers but I think it’s Osula who needs the loan not Jebbo. Osula seems miles behind Jebbo in terms of game knowledge and what to do and when. Even if it’s just while january like Jebbo, could be the difference maker for him

 

[Berkshire Blade]

I'd be interested to know what age the average player becomes a"first team regular" I wonder if the wonderkid or two out there puts other teenagers slower progress in a unfair light? Look at Ndiaye he hardly kicked a ball in the men's game in his teens.

And of course DCL looked nothing like what he's shown at Everton when fit

 

[Bladesthorpe]

They are both a million miles from being good enough for the first team. Send them both out on loan then flog them both for whatever anybody's daft enough to give us.

 

[Kev Gee]

They are both a million miles from being good enough for the first team. Send them both out on loan then flog them both for whatever anybody's daft enough to give us.

Nice of you to write them off so early in their career.
How about supporting them as they earn their stripes in the men's game?

 

[Yogi]

I'd be interested to know what age the average player becomes a"first team regular" I wonder if the wonderkid or two out there puts other teenagers slower progress in a unfair light? Look at Ndiaye he hardly kicked a ball in the men's game in his teens.

And of course DCL looked nothing like what he's shown at Everton when fit

I’d imagine it’s probably early 20’s for most

 

[AnstonBlade1]

What are they 18 and 19?? Like Hecky said other day there only babies! Think loan spells would do them both good though.

 

[SufcBilly]

They are both a million miles from being good enough for the first team. Send them both out on loan then flog them both for whatever anybody's daft enough to give us.

Yeah let’s leave ourself with a strike force of Brewster, Sharp and McBurnie. Glad you don’t have a say in transfers

 

[Teddy]

Heckingbottom admitted Osula and Jebbison had a tough day today against Scunthorpe. They have mostly been played together in pre season and I think we're hoping that they - at some - point will be a good partnership. They have a lot of good attributes, and if they can make it work, it sounds so promising to have two big, fast and direct goalscorers causing havoc up front.

I think there are scenarios where they can already be useful. If we're leading 2-0 and want to control the remaining 10-15 minutes - putting the two of them on to chase and run in behind can be effective against a tired opposition who don't really want to track back. It could mean we could play a counter attacking game without pushing too many players forward.

But there are also scenarios where they won't be of great use, and today was one. Despite being big lads, their hold up play is poor. They may have had it easy as youngsters, where their size possibly have been enough to hold off defenders. But experienced pro defenders will match their size and will know what it takes to get their foot on the ball. Too often some pressure, a little shrug is enough for defenders to beat them to the ball, or make their first touch so poor that attacks break down.

We've seen a few of the team's shooting and passing drills on youtube, but Jebbo and Osula should also work extensively on keeping the ball under pressure. Billy Sharp is a master and can show them a tip or two. Ndiaye can be good as well. Today the ball didn't stick at all up front and it played a part in the first half being an embarrassment.

Having seen some combination play from them against Lincoln (Jebbison jumped over the ball for Osula to finish for one goal) I thought it made sense to keep them around for the time being, but their performance today may mean at least one of them will be sent on loan to gain more experience.

I agree that there’s the makings of a quality partnership if they can both hone their games and make good on their potential.

My view is they should both be out on loan this season, don’t think but-part roles for us are going to generate the development needed. I’d expect us to be playing one upfront so Sharp/Brewster/McBurnie plus one more loaned in (to cover current injury crisis) should be sufficient.

Would there be a L1 club willing to take them both and start them…

 

[Carlton Blade]

"McBurnie is shit and he's never fit"

Same people

"We have Brewster, Sharp and McBurnie. Let them both go on loan"

 

[Deadbat]

I think that one will go on loan. However at the moment we have one fit senior striker if you don't count Ndiaye who tends to play just behind.

Really surprised we have signed 2 centre backs and talk of attacking midfielders or number 10s (we do need one but if Khadira comes in then we have Berge, Doyle, Ndiaye and him playing for one or two places).

The biggest weaknesses for me we needed addressing was

1) Box to box midfielder with legs who can do the dirty stuff. We got run through too often last season

2) Physical centre forward who can hold the ball up and offer us an out ball and link with midfield

3) MGW type replacement


Seems we may have tried to cover 3) with Doyle/Khadra coming in to supplement Ndiaye but the first two were things I felt needed sorting and we have not done that.

We are desperately light up front and we saw 3 senior strikers leave and 2 are still injured.

I hope Hecky feels the same as me. Brewster has struggled to maintain fitness/steer clear in injury in the last year and Sharp and McBurmie not looking ready for a while we need reinforcements here.

 

[HarryHaslam]

They are both better than Brian Deane at this age, now he was bambi on ice for a while at a young age and then turned into our superstar. Honestly don’t know why folk jump in and say they are not ready, or not good enough, don’t know how many posts I’ve read on here over the past year about Jebbo that he is not good enough, sell him etc etc. Both played well against Lincoln with Osula getting a brace, can’t remember a thread about them after that game? … These two right now are good enough to be in and around the side, will get better and better and be worth a fortune in a couple of years.

 

[El Volví]

"McBurnie is shit and he's never fit"

Same people

"We have Brewster, Sharp and McBurnie. Let them both go on loan"

Just correct that for you..

McBurnie is shit and also he's never fit"

 

[LudlamBlade]

It was as hot as a crackhead's lighter on giro day, give them a break

 

[Carlton Blade]

I think that one will go on loan. However at the moment we have one fit senior striker if you don't count Ndiaye who tends to play just behind.

Really surprised we have signed 2 centre backs and talk of attacking midfielders or number 10s (we do need one but if Khadira comes in then we have Berge, Doyle, Ndiaye and him playing for one or two places).

The biggest weaknesses for me we needed addressing was

1) Box to box midfielder with legs who can do the dirty stuff. We got run through too often last season

2) Physical centre forward who can hold the ball up and offer us an out ball and link with midfield

3) MGW type replacement


Seems we may have tried to cover 3) with Doyle/Khadra coming in to supplement Ndiaye but the first two were things I felt needed sorting and we have not done that.

We are desperately light up front and we saw 3 senior strikers leave and 2 are still injured.

I hope Hecky feels the same as me. Brewster has struggled to maintain fitness/steer clear in injury in the last year and Sharp and McBurmie not looking ready for a while we need reinforcements here.

I still think there's a bit of "£40m and you want another striker" about United unfortunately. 100% agree on the requirement for a Carlton Morris/Kueffer Moore/Keinan Davis type forward but I'd bet the club still think it's McBurnie

 

[robbiez666]

So here's the thing, if you want to "play the kids" and develop them you have to expect to take a hit in results in the short term. Our fans demand promotion.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

5 subs rule means we have to rethink loaning players close to the first team. If they stay they'll both get gametime as it stands so why loan?

 

[Frank the tank]

It's all part of their learning curve ,they will be top pros but they looked like they needed an extra touch or made bad decisions that will Improve with time

We can't start them or rely on them as back up but they need game time

 

[Bergen Blade]

They are both better than Brian Deane at this age, now he was bambi on ice for a while at a young age and then turned into our superstar. Honestly don’t know why folk jump in and say they are not ready, or not good enough, don’t know how many posts I’ve read on here over the past year about Jebbo that he is not good enough, sell him etc etc. Both played well against Lincoln with Osula getting a brace, can’t remember a thread about them after that game? … These two right now are good enough to be in and around the side, will get better and better and be worth a fortune in a couple of years.

I'm also hopeful they'll become key players for us.

 

[Wards]

It's a big step up for a young forward to know how to use their body against 'men'. They'll learn it but it takes time. They'll have been used to smashing weaker defenders around for years but can't do that at this level yet. Patience needed.

 

[Drunk blade]

They both need to study McBurnie's game and they won't go far wrong... learn from the best

 

[bonobo]

I think if and when they do play, they would be a lot more effective alongside another striker. I don't think it either suits or gets the best of their attributes at this stage if their careers to having them in the lone striker role

 

[John Cutsbushes]

They both have the attributes to be top players
But they are still babies, learning the game
Osula for example doesn't know when to release the ball
Loans for both would be great for now, think they both have big futures

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

5 subs rule means we have to rethink loaning players close to the first team. If they stay they'll both get gametime as it stands so why loan?

5 subs doesn’t guarantee them game time by any stretch, only at the start of the season potentially with Sharp & Mcburnie injured

Eventually with everyone fit we’re going to have a bench with the likes of Baldock, Basham, Fleck, Osborn, Khadra, Sharp, Mcburnie etc on it and potentially others from transfers

 

[Antonb]

the midfield is still a worry also. Fleck was again poor today. He needs to be moved on. He needs a fresh challenge. And we need some fresh legs in there that can run!

 

[mancunianblade]

They are both better than Brian Deane at this age, now he was bambi on ice for a while at a young age and then turned into our superstar. Honestly don’t know why folk jump in and say they are not ready, or not good enough, don’t know how many posts I’ve read on here over the past year about Jebbo that he is not good enough, sell him etc etc. Both played well against Lincoln with Osula getting a brace, can’t remember a thread about them after that game? … These two right now are good enough to be in and around the side, will get better and better and be worth a fortune in a couple of years.

They’re not though that’s the thing. Hecky says as much. We’ve seen them they still need time to develop, they need to be playing every week in order to develop and they won’t get that time here..they may have played well against Lincoln and that’s the very point, it’s against Lincoln it’s much better for them to be playing against Lincoln and teams of that calibre week in week out, for a year and ending the season with 20+ goals to their name, said it before if we hadn’t brought Jebbison back in January there is a chance he may have been ready this season but we set him back 12 months by bringing him back to make up the numbers.

 

[1889]

Let’s not forget that today they played against a National League side and they were pretty ineffective tbh.
If they have a legitimate claim to be in or around a Championship team, I’d have expected a far more accomplished performance today.
Personally, I thought they were poor and would both benefit by going out on loan for the season, realistically in League 2, rather than sitting on the bench & playing U23 games.
I believe that Osula is the better prospect, but a dose of reality and a spoonful of humility wouldn’t do them any harm, but particularly Jebbison. They’ve both got a long way to go if they’re going to make it and non league football is full of players, who thought they were already there.

So in summary, we desperately need at least one additional striker if we’re hoping to mount a promotion challenge this season.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

I think that one will go on loan. However at the moment we have one fit senior striker if you don't count Ndiaye who tends to play just behind.

Really surprised we have signed 2 centre backs and talk of attacking midfielders or number 10s (we do need one but if Khadira comes in then we have Berge, Doyle, Ndiaye and him playing for one or two places).

The biggest weaknesses for me we needed addressing was

1) Box to box midfielder with legs who can do the dirty stuff. We got run through too often last season

2) Physical centre forward who can hold the ball up and offer us an out ball and link with midfield

3) MGW type replacement


Seems we may have tried to cover 3) with Doyle/Khadra coming in to supplement Ndiaye but the first two were things I felt needed sorting and we have not done that.

We are desperately light up front and we saw 3 senior strikers leave and 2 are still injured.

I hope Hecky feels the same as me. Brewster has struggled to maintain fitness/steer clear in injury in the last year and Sharp and McBurmie not looking ready for a while we need reinforcements here.

Agree 100% with that

 

[robbiez666]

5 subs rule means we have to rethink loaning players close to the first team. If they stay they'll both get gametime as it stands so why loan?

because playing 15 minutes here and there does not develop a footballer.

 

[HarryHaslam]

They’re not though that’s the thing. Hecky says as much. We’ve seen them they still need time to develop, they need to be playing every week in order to develop and they won’t get that time here..they may have played well against Lincoln and that’s the very point, it’s against Lincoln it’s much better for them to be playing against Lincoln and teams of that calibre week in week out, for a year and ending the season with 20+ goals to their name, said it before if we hadn’t brought Jebbison back in January there is a chance he may have been ready this season but we set him back 12 months by bringing him back to make up the numbers.

Of course they need to develop, same as every young player, they can develop with us no problem, no different to Ndiaye developing with us, if it’s a loan then so be it. Hecky says what? Because in an interview yesterday he says they are both babies but are both dangerous and it’s up to them to get in the team. That doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t think they are ready right now, they have to prove they are good enough for a starting spot, I am not saying they are right now to be starting ahead of Brewster, Ndiaye, Sharp, but they are both more than good enough to be on the bench or play when required. Btw I’m not against a loan but we know with injury’s, the forward players we have in the squad and now using 5 subs I’ve a feeling they or at least one of them wouldn’t be out on loan long before being recalled because they are needed.