Dara O'Shea says he's learning a lot from Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna (Image: PA)
Dara O'Shea says he's learning a lot from Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna (Image: PA)
Ipswich Town defender Dara O'Shea says Blues boss Kieran McKenna is making him a better player - and he wants to repay him for the trust that he's been shown.
Centre-back O'Shea arrived in the summer from Burnley for a fee of £12m, which could rise to £15m with add-ons.
The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has since started 15 games - 14 in the Premier League - and has largely impressed.
As with every player who comes to Town, O'Shea gives McKenna a lot of credit for helping improve him.
O'Shea says it's the small details that make the difference under Kieran McKenna
O'Shea says it's the small details that make the difference under Kieran McKenna (Image: Ross Halls)
“If you have that good relationship between the manager and the players it’s always positive," he explained.
“Everybody has that here at the club which is a credit to what the manager has produced here with the culture and stuff like that.
“Tough times and the position we are in the league, but we don’t really feel that we’re where we should be, which is good for us and in games we’re really enjoying the challenge.
“He was a massive key part to me coming here. I’d heard a lot about him before coming here from players that have played under him and even players who hadn’t.
“To come and play for a manager like himself who is so passionate about how he wants to play football, passionate for the club and really wants the lads here to do well, it’s a no-brainer to come to a place like this where you’re going to learn a lot.
“I’ve learned loads, if I was to sit here (and list everything) I think we’d be here a while! It’s the small details with him and they make such a big difference.
“On the outside you probably can’t see them, but when you’re inside and you’re in the classroom and learning from him, it opens your eyes to the game slightly differently.
“I’ve played under some great managers and he’s definitely up there with one of the best. The small details are the key point, they’re the ones that make you into a better player.”
O'Shea has started 14 Premier League games for Town so far
O'Shea has started 14 Premier League games for Town so far (Image: PA)
O'Shea has now started every game since making his debut in the battling 0-0 draw at Brighton back on September 14.
He's been keeping the likes of homegrown star Luke Woolfenden out of the starting XI, and says he appreciates the faith McKenna has shown in him.
“Massive trust," he enthused. "As a player all you want is to be playing games. When it’s given to you, you’ve just got to repay the favour and put the performances in to hold that place.
"It’s obviously nice to play every game, I’m being pushed a lot by the other lads which is good.
“When you come to a club you’re hoping that you’re going to be playing games because they wouldn’t be coming for you if not. So that was always the aim for myself, everywhere I’ve gone I’ve not been happy to sit on the bench.
“I want to play, I want to experience the games and play against the best players in the world.
"As a player anyone would say the exact same thing, you want to be playing games and playing consistently.”
In recent times, his partner at the heart of Town's defence has been big Australian Cameron Burgess - but O'Shea says that there's always competition for the starting spots.
Dara O'Shea says he's enjoying playing with Cameron Burgess
Dara O'Shea says he's enjoying playing with Cameron Burgess (Image: Ross Halls)
“It’s been really good,” he said of Burgess. “I’ve enjoyed playing with him and I’ve enjoyed playing with (Jacob) Greavesy and (Luke) Woolfy as well. As a four we all complement each other quite well and push each other in training which helps.
“That’s keeping us on it every day, but since I’ve been playing with Burge I’ve built quite a good relationship with him. He’s a very experienced defender and plays the game really well and he’s really easy to play alongside.”
Of Burgess, he continued: "I've been really impressed, Cameron is easy to play with and a top lad too - we both get on and that’s always a good thing.
“Our attributes complement each other well, he sees the game really well. The main thing is that he’s really easy to play alongside and that’s all I can ask for as a defensive partner.
“From the start I always saw him as a player who had some real quality and he’s proven that on the biggest stage for himself.
"That’s the same for a lot of the lads, a lot of them have come from the lower leagues and they’ve always had that quality.
“It’s only now they’re getting to show that. Playing with better players than they’ve played with before brings out the best in people at times.”
O'Shea says he believes he's one of Town's fastest players
O'Shea says he believes he's one of Town's fastest players (Image: PA)
So, having praised Burgess, what does O'Shea think are his own best attributes?
“There’s some quick boys here but I’d definitely put myself up there," he said.
"People don’t really think I’m quick maybe by looking at me, which is quite nice when you surprise people. It’s a quick group, I don’t know where I stand in that group, but I’d like to give it a go.
“It’s a non-negotiable really when you’re a defender, you’re there to help the team out and put your body on the line. That’s expected of you really and I don’t mind doing that in a way, it’s just part of my job.”
O'Shea's likely to need all of that pace and willingness to get stuck in over Town's festive fixtures, which look pretty daunting.
They travel to Arsenal - fresh off a 5-1 away thumping of Crystal Palace - on Friday night (8.15pm), before hosting title contenders Chelsea next Monday (7.45pm).
But O'Shea insists the Blues will embrace the challenges posed by the Christmas crunch.
O'Shea and Town will host Chelsea and superstar Cole Palmer over the festive period
O'Shea and Town will host Chelsea and superstar Cole Palmer over the festive period
“It’s amazing,” he said. “As players, these are the teams you want to come up against and the players you want to play against.
"It’s a challenge that we need to relish and look forward to the opportunity.
“Recovery is going to be massive, the quick turnaround in games is going to be demanding on the bodies. With the time of year as well it’s a bit colder and the conditions are a bit worse.
“We’ve all got to look after ourselves, we’ve got the best of the best here to help us improve and recover.
"We’ve got to utilise all those things that are at our feet and get ourselves ready for the games.”