Elliot keen on return
HATTERS midfielder Elliot Osborne signed off from his time at Edgeley Park with the opening goal against FC United – before stating his desire to return to the club.
Osborne’s loan spell expired shortly after the victory on Saturday with parent club Fleetwood Town recalling the young midfielder after a successful stint with Jim Gannon’s side.
The former Nantwich man was quick to confirm his wish to remain at Edgeley Park, after playing in front of the highest crowd on his career to date on Saturday.
“It was mad. I can’t believe how many fans there were. When you’re playing, as much as you know the fans are there, you’re so much in the zone
that you almost forget. Even when I scored, I didn’t quite take it in at the time. I’ve never played in front of so many fans,” Osborne enthused.
“I want to stay, so it’s definitely something we need to have a conversation about at Fleetwood. I’m loving it here, but if Fleetwood decide I’m to go back then that’s just the way football works. I’m not sure if they want me to get more football in the Under 21 side there, but staying here is something I’m going to be pushing for. I’ve been made to feel so welcome, so we will have to see how the conversation goes at Fleetwood!”
Osborne explained how Gannon’s tactical shuffle helped push County on to another hugely important win in the race for the National League North play-offs.
“Jim’s just tried to change it up a bit for us, especially as in recent weeks we’ve had a Plan A but no Plan B. Having that extra solidity in midfield just gives us more options, and we saw that (on Saturday) with ourselves in midfield having that opportunity to find the lads out wide, whether it’s Sam Minihan or Kaine Felix or Danny. It definitely helped us out on the day.”
The Hatters remained in sixth place after a number of their play-off rivals also helped themselves to three points at the weekend, although only goal difference is keeping County out of the top six.
While Osborne admitted his team mates face a “tough ask” with trips to a number of promotion rivals fast approaching, he believes The Hatters are well within the conversation when it comes to contenders for a play-off berth – with County currently just two points adrift of second-placed Salford.
“We’re definitely looking like we can do it, but we’re still in sixth! So we’re not there yet, and with so many sides being so close together, it’s one of those situations where you can lose a game and fall down a few places. It’s just about peaking at the right time,” warned Osborne.
“It’s going to be so difficult to get towards the end of the season without losing, but if we’re within those places come the final few games, that’s when it counts.
“We’ve got Salford, Kidderminster, Fylde and Chorley all coming up, so it is a huge ask. But as long as we’re not losing games, we’re right in the mix.”
Osborne departed Edgeley Park with a glowing recommendation from Gannon.
“Elliot wants to stay, we’d like him to stay, but Fleetwood would like him to return for an in-house programme. He’s their player, and that’s football.
“But it’s been great experience for him, and we’ve obviously benefited from his presence in the side. He’s gained the kind of experience which is invaluable for a young player – he wants to be playing games, and he’s played for us on Saturday in front of a crowd which was bigger than Fleetwood’s highest ever attendance. In so many ways it’s been great for him and us. We will see what happens over the next couple of weeks,” said Gannon.
Osborne reflected on his “short but successful” time with the club by heaping praise on the highest National League North crowd in history, with a crowd of 5,630 on hand for Osborne’s well-taken strike.
“The fans are unreal here. I know County have a great history, but to be where the club is now and still have this many fans is incredible,” he said.
“The gaffer is a big fan of mine and I’ve really appreciated everything he’s done for me. And on top of that, I’ve played six games here and we haven’t lost any so it’s all positive!”