Brave and classy - goal fit for a king from Leon; Local lads deserve support.

Byline: NIGEL MARTYN 

ISAT next to that famous old Evertonian Derek Temple at Sunday's game - and like probably 30-thousand other Blues we turned to each other and mouthed 'What is he doing?' when Leon Osman lined up another shot, just minutes after he'd sliced one well wide.

But Ossie knew exactly what he was doing. His shot was absolutely unsaveable.

I wondered what he was doing because I'd seen Bilyaletdinov in a good position for a little pass in to his feet.

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But Leon had confidence in his ability, and more importantly the courage to forget about the shot he'd sliced.

It's that kind of attitude which David you Is Send sport@visit our Moyes will have had in mind when he named Ossie as skipper in Phil Neville and Joseph Yobo's absence.

Ossie clearly cares about the club and wants to do well for the club, which is why I've never understood that concept of fans being less forgiving with local players.

You would think that they would be able to identify more with one of their own, but sometimes it does seem that familiarity can breed contempt.

When players come through the youth ranks it can be easy for fans to treat them a little less like superstars because they haven't cost a big transfer fee.

But that underplays how much those local players care about their club.

I know Ossie certainly does and his value to Everton over the years is inestimable.

Thinking back to my time, the year we came fourth he must have contributed at least four or five goals which either won us matches or saved us points.

do think? And you just count the number of games he plays this season. He will make an important contribution again this season, of that I'm certain.

right? views to: liverpoolecho.co.uk or forums at co.uk Tony Hibbert is another in the same mould.

First and foremost he is a very good defender, which is why it wasn't such a surprise to see him perform so well in an unfamiliar centre-back role last week.

When Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Johnny Heitinga arrived at the club in the summer the common perception was that Ossie and Hibbo would be the two players most under pressure for their places.

Their character, however, will force plenty of people to think again.