Leon Forest Bound

If chubby Joe Kinnear has been in touch with Everton, David Moyes doesn't know anything about it.

Moyesy says: "I have been given no information of any offer from Nottingham Forest and even if I had, he is not for sale and certainly not at that price."(07/07/04)

Not content with taking Paul Gerrard on a free, Notts Forest boss Joe Kinnear, has come back to Goodison enquiring about Leon Osman. A fee of £400,000 is being touted around for the talented player. Everton are considering the offer, as it will cover two weeks of Waynes wages.

Joe Kinnear says : "Leon's one of a number of players I've enquired about and I'm awaiting an answer from Everton. The chairman's going to have to get his hand in his pocket because as well as a midfielder I'd like to sign a defender and a striker. I think we're quite close but even if it happens before we fly out on tour, I'll have them flown out afterwards to join us." (06/07/04)

Hoping

Leon is hoping his performance and his goal against Wolves will help him make the starting 11 for the next two games.

Leon says "My aim coming back here was to figure in a game or two at the end of the season. Now I've figured in the first one, and scored in it, my aim is to play in the next two as well.

"You have to set yourself aims and try and achieve them, and I was delighted when I was told that I was going to be making my first start.

"I wouldn't say I was nervous. But with it being my first start for Everton, I was a little bit excited. All the other times I've played for Everton, it's been from the bench and it's always more difficult to get into the game."(04/05/04)

Straight Into The Squad

With midfielder'sTommy Grav & Kevin Kilbane out for the rest of the season, Leon Osman could get a chance in the 1st team straight away at Wolves this Saturday. Leon was a hit at Derby, playing 17 times scoring 3 goals.

Ossie says: “It’s really disappointing to see some of the lads injured but maybe that will open the door for me to get a chance and hopefully that’s the case. I haven’t spoken to the manager yet. I’m hoping to play a part. With three games left it’s just the right time for me to come back and hopefully I’ll be involved in the next couple of games. To know that the manager has said he didn’t want to sell me has given me a boost. It means that he wants me in some way and hopefully we’ll see that on Saturday afternoon." (27/04/04)

Experienced Gained

Leon Osman will be returning to Goodison, in a weeks time, after Moyesy rejected Derby's offer to take the player full time. Ossie who has scored three times for the Rams, has impressed George Burley to the point, that he was prepared to offer him a permanent place in the Rams set up. Ossie should though be delighted at Moyesy's reaction, and hopefully is future looks bright at Everton.

Moyesy says: "Derby have spoken to me about Leon Osman, but we sent him out to get experience and he's done that. He's played very well for Derby. I think he's well liked there - as he is here. He's a terrific boy as well as being a good football player. He needed the experience, so it's been good for him. He will be coming back next week after Derby's game with Burnley on Saturday. He will come back then and he will be involved in our pre-season training."(21/04/04)

Ossie Scores A Pearler

bluekipper.com had spies at the Derby v Bradford game to see on loan Ossie score a great goal. He picked up the ball on the right, cut inside and jinked through 3 players. Each time he got passed one, you expected him to loose the ball, but he just nicked the ball past the next defender & hit a left foot shot into the top corner. Apart from that he was busy, always wanting the ball. (12/04/04)

Loan Period Extended Again

Moyesy has agreed to extend Ossie's loan period at Derby County for another month, Leon scored the winner yesterday in The Ram's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and lifted the club out of the relegation zone.
Manager George Burley is delighted, saying' "I've spoken to David Moyes and he's agreed to extend Leon's loan, so we're delighted about that. He can stay for at least another month which is wonderful news for us, but there is a 24-hour recall clause which means if Everton get two or three injuries he might have to go back.
I liked Leon the first time I saw him play for Everton reserves because he can play anywhere, he can create and he can score goal. He was outstanding for us today'.
Leon recognises the challenge to break into a world class midfield like ours but understands as a goalscoring midfielder that this may take some time! (22/02/04)

Loan Period Extended

Leon Osman got off the mark at the weekend for his loan club Derby, when he netted against Cardiff in the Division One sides home draw. Ossie netted in the last seconds of the game, and does that ring a bell with you.Well in Ossie keep it going.

Ossie says: "I hope that David Moyes sees my goal against Cardiff. I have just got to keep doing my best at Derby and if he watches, that's great. "I would like to think that I deserved my goal. It was great to finally get off the mark because I had been unlucky not to score before Saturday." (09/02/04)

Month's Loan For Leon

Derby County have took Leon Osman on loan for the next month. The youngster whose first team chances have been limited, will be happy to be playing first team football for the Division One strugglers. Osman should make his Derby debut against Sheffield United on Wednesday, and we shall keep you updated on his progress. (27/01/04)

Moyesy's Praise For Leon

Leon Osman has recieved some encouraging news of Blues boss Davey Moyes who rates the youngster very highly indeed.With Leon scoring a brace in the rezzy's victory at Wolves last night, Moyesy believes it won't be too long till his first team chances come.

Moyesy says: "He has been a bit unfortunate not to be involved in the 16 earlier this season.His timing with the injuries this season has been unlucky to say the least. He is a terrific footballer, which means he can play in a number of different positions because of his ability to see things and pick things out. We have always felt he had that potential to develop, which is why we offered him a new contract to keep him here for the next couple of years. He is a strong little player who is physically hard. And if he can over-come his lack of height then there is no reason why he can't go on to become a good player.Time will tell where he best fits in. He can play up front, on the left, right, behind the strikers or as a central midfielder.He had a bad injury a year or so ago and missed a year because of the cruciate which set back his development a little bit. But we have been delighted with the way he is doing. The other professionals here respect him because he can handle the football and he is certainly not out of place." (27/11/03)

Ready, Willing and Able

Leon Osman was delighted to get his ten minute run out in The Blues victory against Wolves last Saturday. The twenty two year old who has been in fantastic form for the rezzy's this season believes the time is right for him to get an extended run with the first team.

Leon says : "I’m really pleased I always get a good reception from the crowd. Every time I play I always give my all and hopefully that will continue and I’ll get a longer run in the first team and be able to repay the crowd. Although I did come on at the weekend I only played ten minutes at the most. I do like to play in every game and I want to get a full 90 minutes under my belt because the more games you play the sharper you get so I’m more than happy to do that. One of the things I like doing most is getting forward into the box and getting on the end of things. There is a lot more to it than that but it’s always great to get your name on the score sheet." (26/11/03)

Contract Extention

Ossie has signed an extention to his contract. The 12-month extension which will keep him at the club until 2005. The 22-year-old from Wigan has impressed coaching staff with his performances for the reserves this season. Andy Holden is full of praise for the player, saying: "You can see him growing in confidence all the time. He is doing ever so well." Well in Ossie! (16/10/03)

Any Spare Ribs

Davey Moyes today expressed his disapointment that Leon Osman will not be available for our Carling Cup tie against managerless Stockport.The youngster who has made two senior starts for the Blues was in line for a place on the bench until he sustained his rib injury.The 21 year old has played his way into Moysey's plans with a string of impressive performances for the Everton reserve team.

Moysey says :“We fear Leon has got a cracked rib, which is unfortunate for him because he would have probably got involved in the squad for the game against Stockport.If he continues to work as hard as he has been doing in training and for the reserves then he will get his reward.”(23/09/03)

Make or Break

Leon believes this is the season for him. It's make or break. At 22 years old he must make an impression in the 1st team this season for him to have a future at Everton. Good Luck Leon

Leon said: I' ve just got to show the manager what I can do and hopefully he'll see that I am capable of doing the job of the player that he's looking for. I'm training as hard as I can ahead of the new season. After the bad injury I had, it took me up to last season to get back playing again but this season really is going to be do or die for me.(16/07/03)

Ossie Last Season