Dara O'Shea D Burnley b.1999

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)

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.

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/message...ff7a08ca31f581

First league goal of the season today :)

Scored against Kelleher though....:(

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

First league goal of the season today :)

Scored against Kelleher though....:(

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Kelleher was excellent 2 big saves at vital times.

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Originally Posted by liamoo11

Kelleher was excellent 2 big saves at vital times.

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Not that he gets the credit!
https://i.imgur.com/SN4UtoM.png

Scored Burnley's equaliser today

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

Sorry, the game was December 2020, not 2012

Ah, that makes a lot more sense actually.

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.

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

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.

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

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/message...a8bcff4a4301a4

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Originally Posted by MancIrishWolf

Hope he stays in the PL, however could also be beneficial for his long term development to continue learning under his tutelage

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

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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

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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.

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.

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.