Leon Osman won't let sentiment get in way of trip to Derby

Oct 28 2007

Leon Osman credits Derby with helping him to make the grade at Everton - but today he returns to Pride Park aiming to heap further misery on the relegation favourites.

The Toffees midfielder enjoyed a profitable loan spell with the Rams between January and May 2004 when he scored three goals in 17 appearances.

Osman then made the breakthrough at Everton in 2004/05 when his seven goals memorably helped the Toffees to finish fourth above bitter rivals Liverpool.

The local lad has since established himself as a key player in David Moyes’ side and scored a brilliant third goal of the season in Thursday’s UEFA Cup Group A victory against Greek outfit Larissa.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Derby,” said the 26-year-old.

“It was a loan spell which I needed at the time and I’ve got fond memories of my time playing there.

“Derby were in the Championship relegation zone when I joined them and when I was there we managed to get ourselves out of trouble, so that was pleasing.

“When I came back to Everton I got my chance.

“I did a few things right when I was at Derby which was good for myself and good for them.”

Not that he has much sympathy for the Rams’ current plight.

Billy Davies’ men are in the thick of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after a woeful start to the season.

Osman added: “It’s an important game in the Premier League, as they all are, and it’s one we’re looking to win.

“Derby are a newly-promoted side and every game to them is going to be a cup final, so we’ve got to make sure that we match them.

“It’s always tough when you first come into the league, but they’ll be battling as hard as they possibly can.

“With a bit of luck they could have had a few more wins.”

Everton would almost certainly have had more points on the board had Tim Cahill not spent the past seven months on the sidelines with a metatarsal injury.

The Australia international midfielder heralded his return to fitness with a trademark diving header in Thursday’s UEFA Cup win.

“It’s nice to see Tim back and to do what he always does best is good for him,” said Osman, whose brilliant long-range effort against Larissa will go down as one of the best goals seen at Goodison Park this season or any other.

“Personally, my confidence has never wavered and has been up there since the start of the season.

“I think that’s the same for the team. We might have had a bad game here and there but we’re a confident bunch of lads and hopefully that will show more and more as the season goes on.

“It’s vital that we start putting wins together, though.”

Blues midfielder Mikel Arteta believes Derby will adopt an “aggressive” approach.

“We have to win at Derby,” said the Spaniard, who made his 100th Everton appearance against Larissa.

“Maybe this sort of game is one of the harder ones.

“They’ve been preparing all week and are going to be really aggressive but we need to go there and try and keep winning.”