Osborn as a number 10?

[Houston_Blade]

It seems completely illogical to have a 'defensive attacking midfielder' but it's the kind of role that Osborn is probably suited to. Lots of effort and pressing, little footballing output required.

He did do well against Chesterfield in that position, but we won't be coming up against many National League standard players in the Premier League next season.

 

[Harry's Game]

Number 2 is what I think of mostly when I have seen him play.

 

[s20Blade]

Osbourn as a number 3

Left-back

In the dressing room.

 

[JohnGannonsPerm]

I did think he linked up well with McBurnie in the Chezzy game at times and a more advanced role might suit him. As others have said, him doing some hard yards further up the pitch could work for us.

 

[Wizard]

I remember him being one of our better performers under Slav in an advanced wide left position so I see no reason why he couldn't do well as part of the 2 behind a striker.

He's obviously got his limits as a footballer but also has his strengths. I'd not be comfortable with him as a nailed on starter every week but I don't think we're in that position and I'm more than happy for him to start a fair few games this year if he's fit, especially since we're not going to be as dominant so there'll be more of a focus on the out of possession stuff which he's generally great at.

 

[Addison]

Never in a million years as a 10. I feared this is what may happen when Osborn signed his contract. He doesn't go past players, he doesn't provide that killer pass forward, he doesn't run in between the lines as Duffy did so effectively to receive the forward ball from midfield. He rarely looks for the forward pass and usually comes deep to receive the ball meaning we revert to a flat 3 when in possession. As others have said having a defensive minded 10 defeats the object of the role. Other than pressing the oppo defence and having a left foot I fail to see what he would bring to the role. He's a stand in runaround RWB/LWB at best. Mcatee and Ndiaye he is not.

If we are going to go into our EPL campaign with the mindset we need to change our formation then we are going to suffer imo. 3-4-2-1 requires two 10's of the ilk of Mcatee and Ndiaye and probably Traore now to take the game to the opposition. No flat 3 unless we're playing City. Osborn can be used as a sub off the bench to hold onto a lead but never a starter.

 

[CrookesBlade]

Definitely can see your logic Bergen and fair play for decent tactical observations there, surprised we'd done as well with Osborn in the side in the role you mentioned. However, I'm still sceptical of Osborn in that role, I would worry about would be when he gets on the ball he doesn't have the game to open up a defence, finish with a long range shot etc. From a defensive perspective though and I'm sur this is what you're referring to, he could do a job. He's got good awareness of others around him too.

He’s better technical ability wise than most give him credit for. He’s got a good first touch and good delivery from open play. He can also turn his man which always attracts sarcastic “ooooohs” from the crowd.

Given time on the ball in advanced positions I’d fancy him to play a decent cross/ defence splitting pass.

His problem is pace and stature. The main reason people have a downer on him is he often gets dominated at full back by faster/bigger players when the opposition target that area. Likewise for all his effort and pressing he doesn’t offer much bite or physicality in midfield against big lads.

I’ve seen people say “he’s not a footballer” which is rubbish as you don’t get to top end champ/premier league without being able to trap a bag of sand, particularly if you are 5 foot nothing.

That said I don’t really see a role for him this season beyond coming in and doing a job when others are injured.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

Osborn Fly.

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

I think Osborn is a good sub and can play in a few positions. To me he is too handicapped by his one footednes and it easy for defenders to close him down. The result is he is often forced into a backwards pass more than a forward one.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Osborn's biggest problem is consistency.
He has a good game which inevitability followed by a bad game.

I've got a brilliant solution to this problem. Only pick him every second game

 

[SUFCinks]

Osborne is decent at lots of things but a specialist of nothing. He’s a good player to have but i agree with the sentiment that he’s not ever going to be a threat to the oppo, more an annoyance.

He has value but he’s limited also.

 

[moody1889]

Would rather have Brooks try ane play that role than Osborn nothing against Osborn but that isn't his role.

We ideally need McAtee back to play that role and get Doyle back permanently.

 

[Champagneblade]

Osborne is decent at lots of things but a specialist of nothing. He’s a good player to have but i agree with the sentiment that he’s not ever going to be a threat to the oppo, more an annoyance.

He has value but he’s limited also.

You never know when we’re late on in a game and we might someone to come on and throw a kettle over their house!

 

[S40BLADE]

Traore has very similar ground duel and recovery stats to Ndiaye from what I have seen. Maybe the two of them could do this role Osborn played in this period. Two quality pacy hard workers behind McBurnie could work wonders for a Low Block Counter Attack style which we are likely to use. To enable this though we need more athleticism in midfield. Hopefully, Doyle can return to play in a Duo with Sander. Not shaping up to be a bad side IMO.

 

[Stanthemanfan]

Id try him as a def mid monty style, hassle, harry, win the ball then move it on

 

[Bobby b]

Unpopular opinions part 1, I actually quite like Osborne

 

[Melbourne Blade]

Never has an opinion been so divided on how you spell his name!

Osborn, Osborne, Osbourn or Osbourne? Take your pick

 

[corner_flag]

He's a very skillful and intelligent player and everything he does is to a high standard, except he is quick enough or hench enough to be effective in that headless chicken running around thing he does, which he has done less of under Hecky. But watch him on the ball and he is surprising quality. And takes great corners

 

[Brother-Leech]

I suddenly feel quite vindicated in my original post but my heart sank when I first saw this had been dredged up again.

For the record, I stand by this being a better take than the Bogle in midfield suggestions that were flying round the next season.

 

[Bladeloyal]

Due to his frequent forays into the box and making stuff happen at the edge of it in the last few games, I think it would be interesting to see him playing as a number ten with the added bonus that he would no doubt still provide great defensive work in the centre of the park.

It could be useful when playing teams that sit back against us, the same thing we had to develop when the buses started parking up in league 1.

To be honest I was trying to think of ways to shoehorn Fleck and Osborn into the same lineup which granted, is very un-Wlider. That said I think it could be another tool in our belt.

That's the shirt Currie had wash your mouth out

 

[Brother-Leech]

That's the shirt Currie had wash your mouth out

I said as a number ten, not in a number ten. I’m too young for TC anyway