Dara O'Shea D Burnley b.1999

[Trequartista20]

Kenny only gave Ferguson a couple of token minutes in a friendly against an awful Latvia side before he was a reasonably regular starter and scorer for Brighton.

I think this is a matter of record.

[pineapple stu]

Kenny only gave Ferguson a couple of token minutes in a friendly against an awful Latvia side before he was a reasonably regular starter and scorer for Brighton.

I think this is a matter of record.
Malta you're thinking of. He started and scored against Latvia.

Which means Kenny capped Ferguson while he had I think 20 minutes of Premier League action in his career.

I think you're way off the mark in that list of players "overlooked" tbh. Even Duffy isn't "not playing regularly enough" - he's not playing at all. In about the only position we have a selection of decent options getting regular game time at a decent level

[Trequartista20]

I actually didn't even notice the Ferguson comment. That's a weird opinion considering Kenny picked Ferguson before he was playing regularly for Brighton. Ebosele has been on the fringes but Doherty and Coleman are both rightly ahead of him.

When Hodge was playing a few games for Wolves I criticized Kenny for not picking him, but in fairness he was proven right with how little Hodge played in 2nd half of season.

Trequarista, I think there's plenty of things to criticize Kenny for, but you're way off with this one I think

My position is that we shouldn't have the attitude that players have to be regulars for their top-level club before their considered adequate for our extremely limited international side.

In any case, my point was more a recognition of the Kenny regime policy on this than any direct criticism.

[Razors left peg]

My position is that we shouldn't have the attitude that players have to be regulars for their top-level club before their considered adequate for our extremely limited international side.

In any case, my point was more a recognition of the Kenny regime policy on this than any direct criticism.

I don't see any player that's being left out at moment thar we absolutely should be picking. Manning would have the strongest case, but he turned down the call up in most recent squad

[Olé Olé]

Could we end up with a fully EPL based back line? Suppose it depends where Doherty ends up as we'd need to play him on the left.

Back to 4 at the back for me. Coleman, Egan, Collins and O'Shea. Prem back four with Omobamidele potentially top flight back up too.

[JR89]

Back to 4 at the back for me. Coleman, Egan, Collins and O'Shea. Prem back four with Omobamidele potentially top flight back up too.

Yeah I wouldn't mind seeing us reverting to a back four if it means keeping three in midfield and being able to play with three forwards. We're no Man City but outside of Coleman I'd even prefer using four CBs in defence given our weakness in the FB area.

It's our weakest area in defence and most are wingers who've been converted in FB/WBs. Collins has played RB and O'Shea has played both RB and LB. McNamara I think would work in a back four as he's more defensive than offensive but would be cautious about the others bar Coleman playing in a back four against anyone bar the weak teams.

[Trequartista20]

Malta you're thinking of. He started and scored against Latvia.

Which means Kenny capped Ferguson while he had I think 20 minutes of Premier League action in his career.

I think you're way off the mark in that list of players "overlooked" tbh. Even Duffy isn't "not playing regularly enough" - he's not playing at all. In about the only position we have a selection of decent options getting regular game time at a decent level

Yes, sorry, I wrote 'Latvia' while thinking of Malta. Latvia weren't particularly awful and actually gave us a run for our money. Evan also played a solitary minute against Norway a few days before the Malta match.

The Latvia/France games came at the end of March, by which time Ferguson had already broken into the Brighton team and was scoring goals.

Your point about Duffy and central defence being the most competitive area of the team is fair. I think a solid argument can be made that Duffy has been one of our best players of the last few years, and perhaps the best player of the Kenny era. In the most impressive win/performance under Kenny, against Scotland, Duffy was absolutely pivotal in that and fairly terrorised the Scottish backline. I'm not sure we can afford to leave players of his experience and ability out of squads, but obviously our opinions differ on that.

[Trequartista20]

There's a lot of talk about moving to a back four, but, as has already been alluded to, it overlooks the surfeit of central defenders playing at a high level in Egan, O'Shea, Duffy Omobamidele, McNally Lenihan, McLoughlin etc. And also the lack of genuine fullbacks (as opposed to wingbacks) and wingers we have at our disposal. Johnston and Sykes' emergence have changed the picture somewhat, but the point still stands.

Also, Kenny's early insistence on playing 4-3-3 coincided with some of our worst performances and results, including an eleven match winless run.

It's generally accepted that we improved when Anthony Barry came in and implemented a competently executed 3-5-2. This leading to pretty much our only truly creditable win and performance under Kenny, against the Scots.

I do think we should accept our limitations and take a more horses-for-courses approach based on the strength/shape of the teams we're facing. But I don't think changing to a back four will solve all of our problems, nor does such a change seem likely with difficult matches against Netherlands and France on the horizon.

[pineapple stu]

I think a solid argument can be made that Duffy has been one of our best players of the last few years, and perhaps the best player of the Kenny era. In the most impressive win/performance under Kenny, against Scotland, Duffy was absolutely pivotal in that and fairly terrorised the Scottish backline. I'm not sure we can afford to leave players of his experience and ability out of squads, but obviously our opinions differ on that.
Definitely agree with that. Granted, he's had his dodgy moments trying to play out of defence but certainly he's made up for that elsewhere. He's still our (joint) second top scorer under Kenny, and they've generally been key goals too.

But he played 15 minutes in five token league goals across the past year. I think where our opinions differ is in how effective a player can still be after a year on the bench with pretty much no first team action whatsoever. Like the other players you mentioned, I don't think Duffy has been overlooked here. He needs to sort his club situation out. If he starts at Norwich come August, he'll likely be straight back in the squad - and that's even with Collins, Egan, O'Shea, Lenihan, Omobamidele and even McLoughlin, Dunne and Long for competition.

[Colbert Report]

It looks like Burnley have signed a central defender from Borussia Dortmund for fifteen million euros. Was O'Shea just signed to be the third man up?

[pineapple stu]

Sets up Taylor for Burnley's opener today, but they end up losing 2-1 away against Bournemouth. Only four points from their first ten games, and 25 goals conceded in that time.

There's only six teams to have topped 100 points in the Championship, and of those they've all been comfortable mid-table the following year except for Leicester, who were anchored to the bottom for most of the season before finding form, and then winning the title the next year of course. Really disappointing showing so far though (and for the three Irish players there of course)

[Eirambler]

The three promoted teams are now the bottom three in the league, which shows how hard the step up is now. Also means that the bulk of the Irish players in the Premier League are in the relegation zone - Cullen, O'Shea, Egan, Ogbene and Obafemi (albeit he's been injured). The saving grace for them is that Bournemouth are fairly useless as well, and all four teams can't be relegated. Everyone thought Luton were just there for the one year, but they actually have a chance of staying up given how weak all four of those teams are.

[MancIrishWolf]

Getting a lot of MOTM nominations for his performance today and looks to be winning over the boo boys. Delighted for him - always thought he had the most natural defensive positional sense of all our CB’s and surprisingly fast (5th fastest in the PL this season) - hopefully can develop further under Kompany:

https://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=73551&sid=b5ef0dd3b2e5678ce7ff7a08ca31f581

[pineapple stu]

First league goal of the season today :)

Scored against Kelleher though....:(

[liamoo11]

First league goal of the season today :)

Scored against Kelleher though....:(

Kelleher was excellent 2 big saves at vital times.

[John83]

Kelleher was excellent 2 big saves at vital times.
Not that he gets the credit!
https://i.imgur.com/SN4UtoM.png

[tetsujin1979]

Scored Burnley's equaliser today
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[Eirambler]

Good stat, wouldn't have expected it to have been as long as that.

[tetsujin1979]

Sorry, the game was December 2020, not 2012

[Eirambler]

Ah, that makes a lot more sense actually.

[SkStu]

Straight red for him against Everton. He’s actually played well but a bad touch, ball got away from him and he lunged in recovery. Might have been a wee bit harsh but was also last man.

[Eirambler]

Was the best player on the pitch in the Man United v Burnley game today apparently.

[Olé Olé]

I thought he was very good. He's a very well rounded defender. He's a good defender, he's quick and he's comfortable in possession. He could well improve a bit too.

If Burnley go down then I'd back him to get a move to another PL side. O'Shea was a shrewd signing for Company and if they made a 50% gain and sold him for £12m I think it would be a good transaction for all involved.

[tetsujin1979]

He was good alright, probably the best of the outfield players. Muric kept Burnley in it with some really good saves

[MancIrishWolf]

Certainly seems to be the predominant MOTM by their fans, with Cullen encouragingly getting a few also (although appeared to have been tiring at the end).

Continually cited for his reading of the game, an attribute of all the top centre halves. Seems his game has increasingly progressed under Kompany. Hope he stays in the PL, however could also be beneficial for his long term development to continue learning under his tutelage. Great to see him progress.

https://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=75579&sid=618f960ed3f63e468ba8bcff4a4301a4

[pineapple stu]

Hope he stays in the PL, however could also be beneficial for his long term development to continue learning under his tutelage
Burnley have one defeat in seven now and play Forest on the final day; they're giving themselves every chance of staying up lately

[JR89]

Burnley have one defeat in seven now and play Forest on the final day; they're giving themselves every chance of staying up lately

Unfortunately their other two games are against Spurs and Newcastle with Forests still having Sheffield United to play. Plus they've got a +14 goal difference over Burnley.

[Eirambler]

Scores a late consolation against Newcastle. There have now been twice as many Irish goals in the Premier League this season compared to last season.

[tetsujin1979]

1787422622956831150

[JR89]

Interesting to see what happens with O'Shea in the summer. Burnley have a bloated squad and will need to move players on as well as some players wanting to leave.

If Burnley made a keep and sell list he'll obviously fall under the keep section but a decent offer and could see him off. Not sure what that offer would need to be and who'd pay. Signed for like £7m didn't he and West Brom likely have a sell on.

[Eirambler]

I'd say north of £10m now to sign him. He's had a decent season in a struggling team. You could put him in a mid table side and he certainly wouldn't look out of place. He's quick, reads the game well, reasonably comfortable with the ball at his feet and is a threat in the opposition box. Has 60 Premier League games under his belt now and is a great age too. It depends whether Burnley want to cash in or want to keep him as part of a team looking to bounce straight back up again.

[elatedscum]

If you were someone like Everton, who might need to cash in on Branthwaite who could go for about £40-50m. I think O'Shea would be a very good replacement at a fraction of the cost...

[~YTM~]

If you were someone like Everton, who might need to cash in on Branthwaite who could go for about £40-50m. I think O'Shea would be a very good replacement at a fraction of the cost...

Not a bad shout. Think O'Shea is the type of person that Dyche would love too. Comes across as a down to earth no nonsense lad.

[Eirambler]

Wonder if there's any chance he might be on Bayern's radar if Kompany goes there. Quick, plenty of top level experience, has won over the Burnley fans in a difficult season. Might not be as mad as it maybe first sounds.

[JR89]

Rumours that Celtic are interested in O'Shea. I'd say there's more chance of Parrott making it at Spurs than Celtic paying the money likely needed to sign O'Shea.

[seanfhear]

Rumours that Celtic are interested in O'Shea. I'd say there's more chance of Parrott making it at Spurs than Celtic paying the money likely needed to sign O'Shea.
You would have thought that O'Shea would be out of Celtic's transfer budget, and the wage budget that O'Shea could get in England from a number of clubs.

[JR89]

You would have thought that O'Shea would be out of Celtic's transfer budget, and the wage budget that O'Shea could get in England from a number of clubs.

Yeah Omobamidele went for around €13M if Transfermarkt is correct. Doubt Celtic are gonna pay a record fee or near record fee for O'Shea.

[pineapple stu]

Seems like a step back for O'Shea in any event?

[seanfhear]

Summer rumour stuff ~ Nothing new with that.

[JR89]

1820891047851127045

Brentford trying to sign O'Shea.

[Olé Olé]

I think a few posters here suspected O'Shea would have Premiership options. Looks like he had Ipswich in for him too.

Talks that the fee is around £7m but it will surely shove up past that. Really good business.

Pity he could split a handful of games or more with Collins but they have a couple of aging options at centre half that may not always be available or in favour like Pinnock and Jorgensen.

[EalingGreen]

Pity he could split a handful of games or more with Collins but they have a couple of aging options at centre half that may not always be available or in favour like Pinnock and Jorgensen.Jorgensen (aka 'Zanka') is as good as gone, back to FC Copenhagen in his homeland. Tbh, at 34 y.o. he was past it, even as a mere squad member, making up the numbers.

Meanwhile they still have:
Collins - If he can avoid injury, I'm expecting big things from him this season, just needs to add consistency, which should come from experience and regular games;
Pinnock - 31 in May, he was absolutely immense last season, Fans' POTY I think, despite being disrupted by injury. When fit, he's their nailed down No.1 CB;
Mee - Will be 35 in September. Was a revelation when he signed on a free, and was Fans' POTY after his first season (2022/23), even ahead of Toney (20 x PL goals), However, he got a bad injury just before last Xmas, which saw him out for the season. At his age it's unsure he'll regain his previous form after such a long lay-off, but a super pro whom the club will want to keep around;
Ajer - This will be his 4th season after signing from Celtic. The first two were disrupted by injury, also he was often required to fill in a RB when Bees used a four - he's lightening quick, something the club increasingly looks for, despite being 6'5"! Really began to show what he can do last season (28 PL games) and this could season could be big for him;
Kim Ji-soo - 19 y.o, 6'4" Korean, inexperienced and yet to make his 1st team debut. Not expected to feature this season, even if Bees suffer the same crippling injuries as last season, but v.highly rated and as ever, signed with an eye to the future.

Where does that leave O'Shea? Bees alternate between 3 or 4 at the back, depending on the opposition. If it's the former, O'Shea might possibly feature, at least from the bench and depending on the form/fitness of the other choices. But if it's the latter, he may be held back for Cup games etc or v.late PL sub appearances, at least for the first half of the season.

All that said, Bees' scouting and recruitment is absolutely top notch, so they'll know exactly what they want from him from the start, with a clear path to regular football mapped out for him individually. My guess is that 2025/26 may be his "breakthrough" season, esp if Pinnock starts to fade.

So assuming he signs, this can be a big opportunity for the lad, after scooting around with WBA, Exeter and Burnley.

[Olé Olé]

Okay. So they do have a few aging options that may not be in favour or be injured. Pinnock and Mee are aging and have had injuries. And I do recognize Pinnock has been good. And O'Shea can cover full back.

Great move overall. Sounds like Ipswich are or were in for him too. More guaranteed games but O'Shea might be weighing up the prospect of a third relegation which is surely a greater possibility at Ipswich than Brentford.

[seanfhear]

Okay. So they do have a few aging options that may not be in favour or be injured. Pinnock and Mee are aging and have had injuries. And I do recognize Pinnock has been good. And O'Shea can cover full back.

Great move overall. Sounds like Ipswich are or were in for him too. More guaranteed games but O'Shea might be weighing up the prospect of a third relegation which is surely a greater possibility at Ipswich than Brentford.Nobody would want a third relegation is such a short time ~ ~ That kind of thing could become a Sword of Damocles like thing hanging over ya !

[EalingGreen]

Okay. So they do have a few aging options that may not be in favour or be injured. Pinnock and Mee are aging and have had injuries. And I do recognize Pinnock has been good. And O'Shea can cover full back. Bees aren't a club who think: "Ah, we've got a problem in defence/midfield/attack etc, who can we sign to solve it?"

Rather they always have an eye to the future. So my guess is that if signed, Dara will be a long term replacement for Pinnock. In the meantime, he'll be vying with Pinnock, Collins and Ajer for a starting place, with the fact of his being the new boy meaning (I guess) that he'll normally be 3rd or 4th choice CB.

(Btw, don't write off Pinnock too soon, for since he came right the way up from non-league, he won't have the same "hard miles" on the clock as most other PL players, even at 31 - think eg Jamie Vardy)



Great move overall. Sounds like Ipswich are or were in for him too. More guaranteed games but O'Shea might be weighing up the prospect of a third relegation which is surely a greater possibility at Ipswich than Brentford.Absolutely. :encouragement:

[pineapple stu]

Off the mark as Burnley beat Luton 4-1 in the battle of two of the relegated teams.

Ogbene, Cullen and McNally also played (McNally as a late sub). No sign of Obafemi though.

[nigel-harps1954]

1823095244109304206

Cracking header, brutal goalkeeping.

O'Shea given MOTM too

[Colbert Report]

O'Shea was great. Ogbene's pace is frightening. Surely he's worth a punt to a Premier League team in need of a winger who can run at full-backs for the last twenty minutes of a match?

[liamoo11]

O'Shea was great. Ogbene's pace is frightening. Surely he's worth a punt to a Premier League team in need of a winger who can run at full-backs for the last twenty minutes of a match?

Ogbene was decent as a wingback, end product wasn't very good. If we play 3 centrehalves surely he will be wingback option on either side.

[Eirambler]

O'Shea looks to have developed to the point that he has pretty much outgrown the Championship now, which is some going for a lad who was sent to the seventh tier of English football for his first loan because he wasn't seen as a particularly outstanding youth prospect.

At this stage I don't think there are many teams that he couldn't do a job for, either as a starter for a mid table team in a Top 5 league, or even as a squad player for someone higher up the table. No harm scoring and winning player of the match on the live Monday night Sky game the week before the Premier League starts either. I'm almost surprised there has been no mention of Kompany coming back in for him, even as a squad player.