O'Shea: It Feels So Different to Last Time
Sunday, 11th Oct 2026 13:08 by Kallum Brisset
Town captain Dara O’Shea believes there is a different feeling around Portman Road compared to the Blues’ last Premier League season two years ago.
O’Shea was one of 12 new arrivals as Town embarked on their first crack at the top flight in 2024, but Kieran McKenna’s side were relegated with just four wins and 22 points to their name all season.
Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham, where O’Shea struck a dramatic stoppage-time winner for his first home goal for the Blues, leaves Gary O’Neil’s new-look side ninth in the Premier League table after winning three of their opening six matches of the campaign.
That trio of victories have all seen Town snatch the decisive moment in the 90th minute or beyond, with Jack Clarke scoring against Sunderland and fellow substitute Zian Flemming finding the net against Crystal Palace.
O’Shea insists the fine margins tipping the Blues’ way is not a sign of good fortune, and that it is evidence of quality throughout the squad and the character in the group.
“It says a lot and shows a lot,” he said. “We’re obviously really proud to win any game. The manner we’re doing it late on in games has shown that the work that we do on the training pitch is getting put to use.
“It’s important that we have players on the bench who can come on and affect games. That’s what’s happening every game and it’s really positive. It shows the competitiveness in the squad.”
Two years ago, Town claimed just four points from losing positions throughout the entirety of the campaign and failed to win a single match after conceding the opening goal.
Victory against Fulham, with the Cottagers ahead as late as 88 minutes into the game, was already the second time this term that the Blues have turned a deficit into all three points.
O’Shea said: “The feeling is so different to last time. There’s a lot more confidence and a lot more experience in the group. That gives us the platform to go out and put on performances that we have been doing.
“To get points on the board as quickly as possible has always been the aim, and to do that again is unbelievable. We go into the next week, we’re looking forward to it with another tough game [against Manchester City], but hopefully we can get more from there.
“There’s lots that is different. The club’s in a totally different place, it’s got a lot more behind it now than it did. The rise for the club to get into the Premier League last time was so quick, and it was very hard for everything to be aligned and fall into place at the right time.
“We’ve had that season back in the Championship where we were able to build again, and the club was able to build and grow. You saw the players we brought in this season, it shows the ambition and the training ground. Everything that’s going on is really high quality.
“I’m really happy to be part of it and happy to lead the team. Hopefully we can keep kicking on and this club can go all the way. I just want to be part of that.”
After playing much of pre-season away from his preferred position, O’Shea started the first four matches of the campaign at right-back to accommodate both Jacob Greaves and Issa Diop into the starting XI.
Abdoul Ouattara has taken that role in the last two games, though, which has allowed O’Shea to move back into his preferred position at the centre of Town’s defence.
While he is a right-footer playing to Diop’s left, the Blues skipper is delighted to be back in a position he feels more comfortable and natural in.
“I don’t care. I’m back in the middle, I’m back where I prefer to be,” he said. “I think I can affect the game in a really good way there.
“Obviously it’s my preferred position, but I’ve played everywhere. I’ve played left-back, I’ve played right-back, I’ve played midfield. I don’t really care as long as I’m on the pitch.
“I’ll always try my best, it’s never a case of sulking and whining. If I’m in the team and even if I’m not in the team, I’ll always want to do my best for the team. I’m really happy that I’m back there, I can kick on even more now and keep improving.”
The last few weeks have been quite the ride for O’Shea, with the defender captaining the Republic of Ireland on international duty while his wife Louise gave birth to their second child, Vayda, earlier this month.
The 27-year-old admitted: “It’s been a mad time really, there’s been a lot going on. To welcome my little girl into the world was amazing. I haven’t really got enough time to spend with her and my family, so I’m really looking forward to that now.
“Day off tomorrow, put the feet up and help my missus around the house with her and spend some time together, which we haven’t had a lot of time to do.”
Photo: Tom Dulat/Getty Images
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