O'Shea's form not an issue for Foster
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With a pivotal game upcoming against his friend and now rival Jeff Kenna, Ian Foster knows that it is vital that his side get their home form back on track. When the club went on their run towards avoiding relegation last year, O'Shea was moved in off the wing to a more central, roving role which yielded six goals and two assists from the former Bray Wanderers' starlet in the last three months of the season.
It was form which saw him gain his first Irish U21 cap and prompted talk of a move to England which has not yet materialized. The Dubliner returned to Galway, though, and began his second season at the club with the role of club captain thrust on his young shoulders. It was a move which surprised many, but could not be questioned after the perfect start to the campaign which saw two wins and two clean sheets in the bag.
Now that the honeymoon period is over for Ian Foster following one win in Galway United's last seven games, questions are starting to be asked about the team's formation, a lack of variation in their play, and a worrying lack of impact from their star talent. Foster is quick to dismiss talk of O'Shea's form being an issue, but does concede that he needs a goal to re-ignite his form of last year and that a winter of trials at various clubs could be now having an effect on his play.
"No, I wouldn’t say it’s a worry. I would say he can give us a little bit more. I’m not talking work-rate, I’m just talking creatively. He probably needs a goal to kick-start him but, you know, people have said to me a little bit about Jay, criticising him.
"The kid cares, he wants to do well for Galway, because if he does well for Galway he moves on, and if he doesn’t he’s here. He’s got an excellent attitude, he works hard in training. He puts it in in games, he puts in a decent shift.
"I understand he’s not hit the heights of last season but it’s early on in the season and he’s probably the one who’s not really had a break to be honest. He’s been away with English clubs in the winter while the other lads have been on holiday. He’s come back pre-season and he’s only had about two weeks off. I’m not making excuses for him. He’s an excellent player and he’ll produce that form again I’m sure."
Jeff Kenna will be hoping O'Shea's current slump continues as he brings an out of sorts St Pat's side west. AN encouraging response to the opening night defeat was ended by late drama at the Carlisle Grounds when Bray snatched a late winner. Six goals were then conceded against the top two, before another demoralising defeat at Tallaght Stadium last Saturday night. Kenna is hopeful, though, of a happy return to his old turf tonight, as he told stpatsfc.com:
“While the trip to Galway is just another game, they did beat us 3-0 on our home patch on the opening game of the season so we do owe them one in that sense. I enjoyed my time at Galway, made a lot of friends there, but I’m looking forward to going back and getting a good result.
It was form which saw him gain his first Irish U21 cap and prompted talk of a move to England which has not yet materialized. The Dubliner returned to Galway, though, and began his second season at the club with the role of club captain thrust on his young shoulders. It was a move which surprised many, but could not be questioned after the perfect start to the campaign which saw two wins and two clean sheets in the bag.
Now that the honeymoon period is over for Ian Foster following one win in Galway United's last seven games, questions are starting to be asked about the team's formation, a lack of variation in their play, and a worrying lack of impact from their star talent. Foster is quick to dismiss talk of O'Shea's form being an issue, but does concede that he needs a goal to re-ignite his form of last year and that a winter of trials at various clubs could be now having an effect on his play.
"No, I wouldn’t say it’s a worry. I would say he can give us a little bit more. I’m not talking work-rate, I’m just talking creatively. He probably needs a goal to kick-start him but, you know, people have said to me a little bit about Jay, criticising him.
"The kid cares, he wants to do well for Galway, because if he does well for Galway he moves on, and if he doesn’t he’s here. He’s got an excellent attitude, he works hard in training. He puts it in in games, he puts in a decent shift.
"I understand he’s not hit the heights of last season but it’s early on in the season and he’s probably the one who’s not really had a break to be honest. He’s been away with English clubs in the winter while the other lads have been on holiday. He’s come back pre-season and he’s only had about two weeks off. I’m not making excuses for him. He’s an excellent player and he’ll produce that form again I’m sure."
Jeff Kenna will be hoping O'Shea's current slump continues as he brings an out of sorts St Pat's side west. AN encouraging response to the opening night defeat was ended by late drama at the Carlisle Grounds when Bray snatched a late winner. Six goals were then conceded against the top two, before another demoralising defeat at Tallaght Stadium last Saturday night. Kenna is hopeful, though, of a happy return to his old turf tonight, as he told stpatsfc.com:
“While the trip to Galway is just another game, they did beat us 3-0 on our home patch on the opening game of the season so we do owe them one in that sense. I enjoyed my time at Galway, made a lot of friends there, but I’m looking forward to going back and getting a good result.
About Alan Dooley
is one of Extratime's longest serving contributors. Based in County Galway, Alan has been following the League of Ireland since the mid-1980s. His first memory of the drama of domestic football was Vinny Arkins, then … View Full Profile