Osula

[The Steel Roses]

Your post from October: "If you want Sheffield United to become a force at this level you have to do it without Billy Sharp I’m afraid".
From January: " Sharp is League 1 at best. Brewster full of energy and makes half chances whereas Billy needs the ball 3 yards out and spends all his time bouncing the ball off defenders legs, he’s not good enough."
More from January: "He's taking up a shirt because he's Mr Sheffield United."

Sharp was an obvious favourite for obvious reasons, in recent times I’ve written him off at least 3 times and I’ve had to eat my words each time, which of course I’m glad about.
We miss him right now

 

[The Steel Roses]

Your post from October: "If you want Sheffield United to become a force at this level you have to do it without Billy Sharp I’m afraid".
From January: " Sharp is League 1 at best. Brewster full of energy and makes half chances whereas Billy needs the ball 3 yards out and spends all his time bouncing the ball off defenders legs, he’s not good enough."
More from January: "He's taking up a shirt because he's Mr Sheffield United

Your post from October: "If you want Sheffield United to become a force at this level you have to do it without Billy Sharp I’m afraid".
From January: " Sharp is League 1 at best. Brewster full of energy and makes half chances whereas Billy needs the ball 3 yards out and spends all his time bouncing the ball off defenders legs, he’s not good enough."
More from January: "He's taking up a shirt because he's Mr Sheffield United."

I wondered if this would surface, he’s hanging in there and proving me wrong, that’s what I wish him to do!!

 

[finlaytheblade]

As it happens,,, yes I am a coach

Everyone has a right to an opinion,maybe you will be right, Have you worked with Jebbison ? If not then your opinion is no more informed than mine.
He has a long way to go ! The right attitude is key to his progress as he has all the physical attributes necessary .
Reminds me very much of Brian Deane who was very raw as a 20 year old when we sided him,he had been around professional footballers at Doncaster for a number of years(Jebbo hasn't so he is very nieve )..
Very disappointing to right an 18 year old kid off showing good signs! The next few years will tell!!

 

[Ron_Justice]

Dean and Agana we're the first strike partnership I can remember thinking of as a 'unit'. No doubt there were others and indeed there were probably others at United, but the Basset Era coincided with me willingly paying attention at the match as opposed to just being taken to the match. Anyway, I didn't really think about what an impression Dean and Agana have made on me until recently, when I realised, that I always compare any strike force with them. They're my metric for what a successful partnership looks like. However, I now realise I don't ACTUALLY know anything about their playstyle(s), on a technical level. I was too young to know, well anything, at the time so never really understood things in that way.

Of the current crop of forwards at the club, McBurnie, Sharp, , Diddz, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Osula, Brewster, Lankshear and Ayari included, which players are most like Dean and Agana? I ask this to for 2 reasons - to help me understand 2 idols a little better and to understand the potential of what we have.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Osula looks a great talent and ready to make the step up.

Jebbison is worse than McBurnie.

Gi o'er wi thi sen.

Unless you're being sarcastic.

 

[Berkshire Blade]

Jebbison might come good but I think that's potentially years away. Osula looks closer to being a player who can make a impact now. That said if it wasn't for a striker injury crises neither would be near the side.

 

[pommpey]

Get a bit fed up with this 'holds ball up well, brings others into play' schnizzle people range at players like it's a virtue. Anyone can put their foot on the ball and pass backwards. What I want to see from him is thrashing his marker for pace or beating him to a cross and fucking scoring goals. Simply retaining possession is a given start point for any player.

pommpey

 

[SouthportBlade]

Everyone jumps to conclusions so fast on youngsters.

Jebbison was the 2nd coming and should have been starting as soon as he recalled, and now a few patchy games at a higher level and he’s written off by some

Osula gone from relatively unheard of to being ready to step up and comfortably ahead of Jebbison

It’s ridiculous.

Both are young players learning their trade, both might make a career in football in the top leagues, maybe the lower leagues or maybe not at all.

Many don’t seem to appreciate the enormity of the step up from youth football to mens and from mens to higher league’s.

None of the youth players would be anywhere near the first team if it wasn’t for crippling injuries.

Enjoy cameos, hope they succeed but don’t have expectations.

 

[Ron_Justice]

Fifa's 'Wonderkids' have given fanbases around the world unrealistic expectations of Young Players. It's like Porn....

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Osula looks a great talent and ready to make the step up.

Jebbison is worse than McBurnie.

If it wasn't for injuries I doubt either lad would be involved (Jebbo would still be at Burton).

 

[Yogi]

Might be a bit of rush to crown players the next great thing or to throw them on the scrap heap here. I like both lads and they’re definitely different types of forward but Jebbison is coming off a very good first half of the season at Burton scoring goals at a decent clip in a fairly strong competition to them be recalled here and lost in the depth chart a bit. Development isn’t linear and he might’ve taken a bit of a step back in the last month or two but that doesn’t mean he can’t step up again.

Osula looks bright, aggressive and powerful now whilst he’s full of confidence from scoring on a regular basis for the 23’s he still needs to get used to playing men’s football regularly and learn how to handle barren patches and dips in form.

They may come good at this level they may not but we’re unlikely to know for sure by next season. If either lad was capable of taking the championship by storm right now they wouldn’t be here for the start of next season.

 

[BigBed]

Also, I think that, obviously Billy will get another contract, whether it be 1 or 2 years, but surely, following on, he should be made striking coach over Jack Lester, it's a no brainer isnt it??

 

[originaltrueblade]

Osula looks a great talent and ready to make the step up.

Jebbison is worse than McBurnie.

Nobody is worse than McBurnie

 

[blade too long]

The kids are just that kids
they get 15 minute cameos and people say they dont do enough
Thought Osula showed some good strength not letting experienced defenders up to game speed he didnt let them bully him
Every blade expects them to come in and score like Rooney did ast Everton v Arsenal on his debut
as far as I recall Rooney was the last player to do that 20 years ago
Calvert Lewin took over a year to hit form at Everton after not scoring thast much for us
all our kids get written off if they dont score 20 in their first season
lets get real , expectations levels here are becoming ridiculous

 

[Torrix1889]

Nobody is worse than McBurnie

McBurnie does more defensively than Jebbison, (and a lot of others) and they give the ball away in equal measures, neither looks like they could hit a barn door with a banjo.

I really do hope Jebbison comes good but he's shown nothing to suggest he will......maybe he has been fast-tracked to soon, another loan next year to an L1 club must be on the cards.

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Also, I think that, obviously Billy will get another contract, whether it be 1 or 2 years, but surely, following on, he should be made striking coach over Jack Lester, it's a no brainer isnt it??

Jack has been a coach for 9 years so I would say that it isn't a no brainer.

 

[Caseh]

Also, I think that, obviously Billy will get another contract, whether it be 1 or 2 years, but surely, following on, he should be made striking coach over Jack Lester, it's a no brainer isnt it??

There's no proof anywhere that a better player makes a better coach.

 

[RammyBlade]

Dean and Agana we're the first strike partnership I can remember thinking of as a 'unit'. No doubt there were others and indeed there were probably others at United, but the Basset Era coincided with me willingly paying attention at the match as opposed to just being taken to the match. Anyway, I didn't really think about what an impression Dean and Agana have made on me until recently, when I realised, that I always compare any strike force with them. They're my metric for what a successful partnership looks like. However, I now realise I don't ACTUALLY know anything about their playstyle(s), on a technical level. I was too young to know, well anything, at the time so never really understood things in that way.

Of the current crop of forwards at the club, McBurnie, Sharp, , Diddz, Ndiaye, Jebbison, Osula, Brewster, Lankshear and Ayari included, which players are most like Dean and Agana? I ask this to for 2 reasons - to help me understand 2 idols a little better and to understand the potential of what we have.

I remember Jones and Birchenall who were brilliant but sadly we sold both very quickly !

 

[finlaytheblade]

Might be a bit of rush to crown players the next great thing or to throw them on the scrap heap here. I like both lads and they’re definitely different types of forward but Jebbison is coming off a very good first half of the season at Burton scoring goals at a decent clip in a fairly strong competition to them be recalled here and lost in the depth chart a bit. Development isn’t linear and he might’ve taken a bit of a step back in the last month or two but that doesn’t mean he can’t step up again.

Osula looks bright, aggressive and powerful now whilst he’s full of confidence from scoring on a regular basis for the 23’s he still needs to get used to playing men’s football regularly and learn how to handle barren patches and dips in form.

They may come good at this level they may not but we’re unlikely to know for sure by next season. If either lad was capable of taking the championship by storm right now they wouldn’t be here for the start of next season.

Well spoken Yogi! Many young players just fall by the wayside and most who do fail have got the technical ability just don't have the attitude to keep learning working hard sometimes it's just opportunities at the right time.
De Garalamo is a classic example got the opportunity had a cruciate injury and by the time he really found his feet his chance had gone ( he had great natural ability) playing none league now that's what can happen and does a lot.
Cruel world youth football ,
Many a talented player just disappear
At the moment our youth teams are full of talented players ! How many will come through? Not always the talented ones make it.
We play at level 3 so players have a big gap to bridge to be successful even at championship level.
Jebbo&Osula have still a lot to do but the signs are positive ,we have plenty more who may have the nous to br idge the gap to come through from level three youth football,Arblaster for one looks a real talent still 17 can he make the grade talent wise its there hopefully he wants it enough to do it.
Seems Sharp and he communicate, Couldnt get a better example of a player getting the best out of what he has ! sharp is a great professional !
We have brought through a number of talented players in recent years so the pools we are fishing in is good can we keep up the good work!.
I reckon the players we have at youth level just now is a cut above the players we had during Maguires time and they reached the FA youth cup final! As I have said no guarantees plenty of promise but writing players like Jabbo who have come a long way in a short time just not right in my eyes.

 

[LudlamBlade]

Nobody is worse than McBurnie

Give me that no9 shirt and a pair of boots, I'll show thi

 

[BigBed]

Jack has been a coach for 9 years so I would say that it isn't a no brainer.

Hes doing wonders with our strikers isnt he......

 

[EddieColquhoun]

Hes doing wonders with our strikers isnt he......

Brewster started scoring. Billy started scoring.

 

[BigBed]

There's no proof anywhere that a better player makes a better coach.

Totally agree with that, although, Sharp is the kind of person that will instill the passion into the players and he is a brilliant role model for the youngsters and great motivator for the first team players too.

 

[BigBed]

Brewster started scoring. Billy started scoring.

That's what they're here to do isnt it??
And Billy was scoring way before Lester, and Brewster scored a hell of a lot more goals prior to coming to us for £28m!!

 

[EddieColquhoun]

and Brewster scored a hell of a lot more goals prior to coming to us for £28m!!

That fee is going up quicker than a Wendy attendance

 

[Yogi]

Totally agree with that, although, Sharp is the kind of person that will instill the passion into the players and he is a brilliant role model for the youngsters and great motivator for the first team players too.

Lester’s record with player development especially at academy level really is excellent he did a good job at Forest and then here helping to develop players. Not sure there’s too much difference between developing a 17 year old and a 22 year old he’s gone away and put the work in since retiring as a player so to speak to earn the position he’s in.

Now Billy is a great player with a great feel for the game and he’s clearly interested in the coaching side of the game with his own private academy work and should he wish to remain at the club after his playing career I think he’d be an asset but to immediately remove someone from a first team post which they would appear to be well qualified for and for which they have lots of relevant experience would seem an odd decision at best a daft one at worst.

 

[BigBed]

Lester’s record with player development especially at academy level really is excellent he did a good job at Forest and then here helping to develop players. Not sure there’s too much difference between developing a 17 year old and a 22 year old he’s gone away and put the work in since retiring as a player so to speak to earn the position he’s in.

Now Billy is a great player with a great feel for the game and he’s clearly interested in the coaching side of the game with his own private academy work and should he wish to remain at the club after his playing career I think he’d be an asset but to immediately remove someone from a first team post which they would appear to be well qualified for and for which they have lots of relevant experience would seem an odd decision at best a daft one at worst.

Probably, but Hecky did say he wanted a 4th man, still think Bill would relish the opportunity?

 

[Yogi]

Probably, but Hecky did say he wanted a 4th man, still think Bill would relish the opportunity?

I think if Billy wants a place to move into coaching and do his badges and he wants that to be here I’m sure space would be made for him somewhere in the set up. I can’t think of a logical reason why not he’s one of the best strikers outside the top flight of his generation and he’s done it the hard way so to speak without the physical gifts others were blessed with.

Hecky said he wanted a defensive guy to come in but that’s not happened I reckon billy might have to cut his teeth with the juniors for a while most of the pro’s who go into coaching start that way.

 

[The Steel Roses]

Everyone has a right to an opinion,maybe you will be right, Have you worked with Jebbison ? If not then your opinion is no more informed than mine.
He has a long way to go ! The right attitude is key to his progress as he has all the physical attributes necessary .
Reminds me very much of Brian Deane who was very raw as a 20 year old when we sided him,he had been around professional footballers at Doncaster for a number of years(Jebbo hasn't so he is very nieve )..
Very disappointing to right an 18 year old kid off showing good signs! The next few years will YU

Everyone has a right to an opinion,maybe you will be right, Have you worked with Jebbison ? If not then your opinion is no more informed than mine.
He has a long way to go ! The right attitude is key to his progress as he has all the physical attributes necessary .
Reminds me very much of Brian Deane who was very raw as a 20 year old when we sided him,he had been around professional footballers at Doncaster for a number of years(Jebbo hasn't so he is very nieve )..
Very disappointing to right an 18 year old kid off showing good signs! The next few years will tell!!

My opinion is no more informed than yours my fellow Blade!
The business plan under Yusuf Giansiracusa means that our under 23’s will have to supply our first team at a higher ratio than outside recruitment.
If promotion fails and the belt has to be tightened more, a lack of investment will surely mean bottom end of table in 3 to 5 years!
We need proven players to bring on the 18 year olds and only if they have the right potential!
I hope for our sake the likes of Jebb are good enough, I’m a Blade so I support and will all players to succeed in our red and white stripes!
Just heard today’s news on arriving home from work so maybe we have a future with a blend of infrastructure, talent, youth and experience all rolled into one invested great football club.

 

[Balham]

I think if Billy wants a place to move into coaching and do his badges and he wants that to be here I’m sure space would be made for him somewhere in the set up. I can’t think of a logical reason why not he’s one of the best strikers outside the top flight of his generation and he’s done it the hard way so to speak without the physical gifts others were blessed with.

Hecky said he wanted a defensive guy to come in but that’s not happened I reckon billy might have to cut his teeth with the juniors for a while most of the pro’s who go into coaching start that way.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. There are far worse role models for Lankshear, Osula and Jebbison to learn from than Billy Sharp, a man who has honed his craft over nearly 20 years, getting everything out of his strengths and adapting his game as he ages.