Ben Osborn

[FMBlade1]

Don't want to be unkind here but he epitomises our problem.

He is a championship player at best, and Forest weren't too gutted that he left. Yes he tries hard, runs around and is committed (so avoids scrutiny) but is so far off PL quality it's embarrassing.

Yes there are other things more pressing, and he is supposed to be a back-up player but would he even get into any of PL team's squad?

This is what makes me go nuts when we go for players like him, SURELY there has to be someone out there who is better than him outside the UK who we could sign?

 

[Trafford]

Know what you’re saying but if the other players put anywhere near as much effort in as he does we wouldn't be in the dire position that we are.

 

[Chezzy Blades]

I'd never question his effort or commitment because he puts in 100% and his head never drops, but it does look like when an 11 year old tries to play football with a group of 16 year old lads at school and they just take the piss passing it around and making him chase it.

If Ampadu and some of those others had hearts like Basham and Osborn we would be far better off.

 

[robbiez666]

He was bought in as cover but our cover players appear to have been bought in with the assumption that they'd hardly ever have to play.

Osborn, Robinson, Jags, Ampadu, Rodwell

 

[Badger Blade]

I'd never question his effort or commitment because he puts in 100% and his head never drops, but it does look like when an 11 year old tries to play football with a group of 16 year old lads at school and they just take the piss passing it around and making him chase it.

The whole team look like that to be honest.

Most of our squad is made up of grafters who have limited footballing talent and once they stop grafting, you get this shower of shite.

Compare that to Palace who are no great shakes compared to the rest of the league but they were a cut above us in every department which shows how far we've plummetted.

 

[TJB.]

This is what makes me go nuts when we go for players like him, SURELY there has to be someone out there who is better than him outside the UK who we could sign?

It's going to be very, very difficult for us to sign anyone from outside the UK for quite a long time*. Realistically we'd only be looking in Europe, and we won't be looking at anyone who would meet the new post-Brexit criteria.



*Unless they go to Beerschot and then come to us, I believe.

 

[SUFCinks]

He was bought in as cover but our cover players appear to have been bought in with the assumption that they'd hardly ever have to play.

Osborn, Robinson, Jags, Ampadu, Rodwell

I think that is the problem, our recruitment was all about ‘cover’ and competition instead of improving the 11. You dont improve your match day squad much by spending 100mill on subs.
Hes a trier and hea actually OK but nothing more. Not prem quality like the rest of them.

 

[Oreyt]

Wilder, like Warnock, seems to have reached his pinnacle of being able to sign suitable players when we were in the Championship. He just can't cut it at Prem. We had enough momentum to have an incredible first season up here, but one major injury and it's thrown out form out of the window.

I'm not sure it's as dependent on the wage structure as some make out. And I would have gladly taken 4th bottom at the start of this season. It's about survivng and building capability slowly. But we've spaffed our load now and it's a case of what might have been.

Fucking Nora, my dry January ended quickly.

 

[McGoaldrick]

I also understand your point but think it’s harsh on Osborn.

Brought in as cover & looks absolutely fine when our team is doing ok. The problem lies when there is no distinction between the cover players and the first teamers. Could barely tell you the difference in performance between Osborn, Lowe, Stevens, Fleck etc this season. All bang average or poor

Realistically Osborn shouldn’t have to play every game but our incompetence means that he has had to recently and he’s been a bit exposed as not PL quality

 

[essexblade73]

He runs around a lot

 

[Swannyblade]

You can slot in a hard working, high effort utility man when the rest of the team are performing. Unfortunately our current team is crying out for more of a contribution than that. Not Osborn’s fault...a shame some of our more gifted players don’t share his attitude.

 

[Bergen Blade]

He was bought in as cover but our cover players appear to have been bought in with the assumption that they'd hardly ever have to play.

Osborn, Robinson, Jags, Ampadu, Rodwell

Osborn never played, then came into the team at a time when we'd lost three in a row. He made a decent contribution:



There are a number of players that seems to have peaked already and they are the ones we should be looking to replace first. Osborn may never be more than a squad player, but may still be useful to us.

 

[robbiez666]

Osborn never played, then came into the team at a time when we'd lost three in a row. He made a decent contribution:

View attachment 101978

There are a number of players that seems to have peaked already and they are the ones we should be looking to replace first. Osborn may never be more than a squad player, but may still be useful to us.

He's definitely one I'd keep should we go down, simply for his utility value, I just think he lacks the composure, concentration and quality to be a regular starter.

 

[ancientblade]

I think that is the problem, our recruitment was all about ‘cover’ and competition instead of improving the 11. You dont improve your match day squad much by spending 100mill on subs.
Hes a trier and hea actually OK but nothing more. Not prem quality like the rest of them.

to improve the starting 11 we needed to pay premier league salaries chris was in for at least 5 players that would have been automatic starters but unless we start paying quality salaries we wont attract quality players what has happened is weve paid over the odds for championship players and therefore thats where were heading

 

[Foody]

Say what you want about him, but at least he's a fucking grafter. He can't pass, but he's willing to bust his balls. We can't outplay anyone at the moment, but we should be able to out fight anyone. Give me a team of :Bashams, Baldocks and Osborns over a bunch of heartless fannies like Mousett and Ampadu, any day of the week.

You've got be willing to die for three points!!!!

 

[Eza Blade]

I don’t mind Ozzy. He’s not my biggest worry. It’s the lesser of two evils for me. What worse someone who has ability but doesn’t perform or make the effort (fleck). Or some one who tries that has no quality (Ozzy)

 

[Bladeinleeds]

He’s a good player to have in the squad - cover for a number of positions. Fairly cheap, gives everything and has never been anywhere near the worst player on the pitch .

The issue is him starting a large % of our matches.

 

[Rochdaleblade]

He's a bit like Monty. Busts a gut but never Premier League quality. The difference is there is no quality in midfield alongside him. I could think of 10 players I would like to see through the exit door before him.

 

[SUFCinks]

to improve the starting 11 we needed to pay premier league salaries chris was in for at least 5 players that would have been automatic starters but unless we start paying quality salaries we wont attract quality players what has happened is weve paid over the odds for championship players and therefore thats where were heading

Agree, weve been naive thinking we will compete with a bunch of championship players that in many cases were subs or not even on the bench in the league below.

 

[dc_blade]

Osborn never played, then came into the team at a time when we'd lost three in a row. He made a decent contribution:

View attachment 101978

There are a number of players that seems to have peaked already and they are the ones we should be looking to replace first. Osborn may never be more than a squad player, but may still be useful to us.

I watched the highlights of the Chelsea and Spurs games last night to cheer myself up. Osborn was terrific in both games.

 

[Sportbilly /Detroit Blade]

Wilder, like Warnock, seems to have reached his pinnacle of being able to sign suitable players when we were in the Championship. He just can't cut it at Prem. We had enough momentum to have an incredible first season up here, but one major injury and it's thrown out form out of the window.

I'm not sure it's as dependent on the wage structure as some make out. And I would have gladly taken 4th bottom at the start of this season. It's about survivng and building capability slowly. But we've spaffed our load now and it's a case of what might have been.

Fucking Nora, my dry January ended quickly.

Had to chuckle at the last line. I've not touched a drop of alcohol for years, but this is making me want to start!

 

[Houston_Blade]

I agree with the OP, but I’d rather have him in the team than Mousset. I don’t see the point in Mousset anymore.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

Osborn epitimises our poor recruitment. An average Championship player, with little creative talent. I dont hate him, he's a grafter, and an seems honest lad, but he, like Ampadu, Burke, Lowe, Robinson etc is not PL quality.

 

[AnstonBlade1]

Our midfield is dreadful for the premier league.
This is the main part of the problem that should of been addressed in the summer.

We didn’t need to throw the best part of £30million on Lowe,Bogle and Brewster, yes we needed a striker but we needed one that was going to hit the ground running not one that will come good in 3 years.
What we needed was a midfielder or 2 that can create, excite, make something happen out of nothing, shoot!!

 

[SouthportBlade]

It sort of made sense at the time brought in as cheap backup and able to play a couple of positions, Honest, hard worker etc etc. Seems a likeable fella, and in all liklihood a decent enough squad okay for next year in the Championship.

However, he's drifted more into the first team based on injuries / loss of form of others etc. Still think he's okay back-up as a LWB but as a central midfielder he is woefully out of his depth in the Premier League.

For me signing cheap back up players (Osborn, Robinson, Rodwell, Jags, Lowe, Burke etc) has been part our downfall, as we didn't count on the first teamers form dropping so dramatically.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Ben Osborn is amongst the vast majority of the squad right now including our very best ever window players.

New manager now starts to unpick this shit, don't leave it too late Abdullah.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

He might not be the stellar superstar which you build a side around, and he has his obvious shortcomings but if you play to his strengths, he has a role to play.

If some of the lesser players in the squad (in terms of fight and impact) applied themselves in the way that he did, we'd be far better off.

His energy, commitment, fight, professionalism and resilience cannot be question. He's got an old head on younger shoulders and he never shirks away from the challenge and Christ, he hasn't half got an engine on him. LWB for me, v Newcastle. It's ideal role - avoids the intricate play of trying to retain possession in a central area, uses his energy and tenacity, allows him to track his man and to also bomb forward.

Also...what about his left footed deliveries?!?

 

[blades14]

I can guarentee you now this lad cares more than Fleck, Norwood, Stevens and Ampadu

 

[CarlMcBlade]

I do think Osborn should be used at LWB only. LCM is a far too important position for him to keep losing the ball in.

 

[JOEYDEE]

He's been 'triffic for us lately, only one of 'em that can cross a ball properly.