Dara O'Shea will captain Ipswich Town in the Premier League this season (Image: Ross Halls)
Dara O'Shea will captain Ipswich Town in the Premier League this season (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town captain Dara O'Shea spoke to the media ahead of this afternoon's Premier League opener against Sunderland (3pm). Alex Jones reports.
For O’Shea, today has been a long time coming.
His spell at Ipswich hasn’t been completely smooth sailing – there have been plenty of ups and downs.
He joined late in the summer transfer window in the Premier League, suffered another relegation, and even encountered some struggles in the Championship on the way to promotion last season.
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But the 27-year-old has set standards on and off the pitch, as captain of the club. Now, back in the top flight, he has the honour of leading the team out on the opening day of the season.
“It's going to be special,” O’Shea admitted. “Kicking off the season and walking the lads out is going to be nice.
“It's something you dream of as a little boy, playing in the Premier League and then getting to be the captain.
“Captaining your team-mates and captaining the club you play for is amazing.
Dara O'Shea v Union Berlin
The defender played all 46 matches of the Blues' promotion-winning Championship campaign
(Image: Ross Halls)
“I think I'll just enjoy the moment as much as I can. I don't want to think too much about things. Just enjoy the moment for what it is and prepare for a tough test tomorrow.
“Hopefully we get the three points.”
Everything had led to this. A long, hard campaign in the second tier last season, and a huge effort over the summer to get ready for the level.
The anticipation has built around the club and the town for the big kick-off.
“Massive excitement,” O’Shea said. “I think as soon as you come in for the first day of pre-season, everybody's looking forward to that first game.
“With it being at home, it's extra special and exciting for everybody – not just us, but the fans as well.
“I think everyone's itching to get back and watch club football.”
Sunderland, the visitors, won’t be easy opponents. The Black Cats were promoted into the Premier League last season, but rather than battle relegation, they pushed at the very top of the division and secured Europa League football as a result.
O'Shea believes Sunderland 'set the standard' for newly-promoted teams (Image: Ross Halls)
They, in O’Shea’s eyes, are the blueprint for any team stepping up to the level.
“What they did last season was remarkable,” he explained. “They set the standard for newly-promoted sides and showed that it is possible.
“What they did, they didn't just stabilise themselves in the league, they pushed on and competed in a really good sense.
“Obviously, the rewards they have got for that - it's going to be a tough game. They are a strong group who obviously have a lot of momentum behind them after the season they have had.
“They have got some excellent players with real qualities and real threats. I think for us, we definitely see what we can do against them.
“We want to test ourselves against them and see how we come out.”
Sunderland are a strong, cohesive unit, but striker Brian Brobbey is their main attacking threat. The 24-year-old, who starred for the Netherlands at the World Cup, notched seven goals last season.
O’Shea will have his hands full against him today.
The 27-year-old will be tasked with containing powerful striker Brian Brobbey
(Image: PA)
“He’s been unbelievable, like all their players have,” the centre-back stressed. “All the players that came in, there were a lot of new faces that came in. They have been unbelievable.
“He's got massive threats and some great strengths that we're going to have to try and nullify.
“It's going to be a good game. It's going to be a tough game. It's not going to be easy. It's going to be difficult and challenging.
“Hopefully, the mood in the group is really good. The atmosphere throughout the training ground and on the pitch has been excellent. It's a challenge that we're really excited for.”