Dara O'Shea

[Goliath]

For anyone watching MNF. Did we just see why Kompany rates him so highly. Apparently he is the 5th fastest player recorded in the Premier League this season. A quite unbelievable stat.

[warksclaret]

Thats amazing-I think we can develop him, and a great example of playing players with good potential on a regular basis.Would have been so easy to drop him early in the season. Have to say his recovery speed is excellent, and some of his best moments have been against top opposition

[AlargeClaret]

That’s an incredible stat for a CB, what’s the distance of measurement?

[FCBurnley]

Esteve looked really quick to me

[Bosscat]

Hmmmmm a positive thread about one of our players who'd a thowt it...

It won't be long before one of the negative Norahs will be on to drag it down

[claretspice]

I wouldn't have guessed he was that quick, but O'Shea's pace in a straight line was evident from the first night of the season against City. He had a couple of shakier games when he got slightly caught out of position and/or was caught on the turn, but for my money he - along with Berge and possibly Foster - has been our standout player in the last 4-5 months. I think he's been very good, despite an ever changing list of partners, and perhaps above all others I hope we retain him for the Championship because I think he's someone who as a leader and quality defender capable of holding a high line, he's someone we can build a team around.

[equinox]

The most Irish person ever.

[evensteadiereddie]

Aye, only 5th fastest?
Another dud, disgusting, Kompany out.

[Goliath]

That’s an incredible stat for a CB, what’s the distance of measurement?

Its just the top speed recorded. So I presume its not distance specific. Him and Van de Ven are the only 2 defenders on the list.

[burnmark]

A good player and can’t be easy having the large number of different centre half partners he has had to adjust to.

[bumba]

If only defending was about pace!
Started poorly, picked his form up but nosedived past few games

[jedi_master]

He started the season very poorly, and he had a bad game against Fulham (not alone) but in general I think he has vastly improved from the lad who started against Man City. There’s stuff to work on but I reckon he’s a decent signing for £7m.

[AlargeClaret]

Its just the top speed recorded. So I presume its not distance specific. Him and Van de Ven are the only 2 defenders on the list.

Cheers , that if anything even more impressive .

[warksclaret]

The most Irish person ever.

His brother Rick is apparently quicker

[Jellybean]

Let's hope esteve can stay injury free unlike the others that have gone before him, I really think O'Shea and our whole defence will benefit from consistency and having a natural left sided partner. He seems to be a good talker as well which can only help.

[Zooniverser]

Its just the top speed recorded. So I presume its not distance specific. Him and Van de Ven are the only 2 defenders on the list.

No Kyle Walker??

[Goliath]

No Kyle Walker??

Nope

[ksrclaret]

Overall I think he's been a good addition and someone who can hold his head high and say he's genuinely given his all this season.

He's actually aerially dominant in both boxes now and his medium to long range distribution is also very good. If he was being coached in a Dyche set up he'd be an absolute stand out performer week in week out.

[boatshed bill]

His brother Rick is apparently quicker

Bounces around a bit too much.

[warksclaret]

Exceptional with corners

[claretspice]

He started the season very poorly, and he had a bad game against Fulham (not alone) but in general I think he has vastly improved from the lad who started against Man City. There’s stuff to work on but I reckon he’s a decent signing for £7m.

I don't think he did have a bad game against Fulham, beyond being part of a backline that couldn't hold a straight line at times. I thought that throughout the game he was one of our better performers and defended the box well. There was an extended period in the second half when Willian had the freedom of the borough to cause us problems down our right and deliver balls into the box, and O'Shea was excellent in that period - which is a significant reason why they didn't get a third goal. Not for the first time I think his performance against Fulham has gone underrated.

[NewClaret]

Surprised there’s any surprise about this, really - has been some stats on this and discussed a few times. Plus if you watch him he’s absolutely rapid. Really good aerially too.

Pace is so important at this level and I think that’s why we didn’t go for THB. Esteve also looks very quick.

O’Shea is now one of the first names on the teamsheet (after the contractually obliged Trafford )

[Westleigh]

Hmmmmm a positive thread about one of our players who'd a thowt it...

It won't be long before one of the negative Norahs will be on to drag it down

Your prediction has been granted.

[Goliath]

Surprised there’s any surprise about this, really - has been some stats on this and discussed a few times. Plus if you watch him he’s absolutely rapid. Really good aerially too.

Pace is so important at this level and I think that’s why we didn’t go for THB. Esteve also looks very quick.

O’Shea is now one of the first names on the teamsheet (after the contractually obliged Trafford )

I think most kmew he wasnt slow but I for one didnt have him down as anywhere near 2nd quickest defender in the whole league

[CrosspoolClarets]

Interesting with O’Shea, on the various stats sites for the FIFA games, which I know are made up but they try to make them fairly accurate, he has a fairly slow speed rating. Can’t see a proper real life stat anywhere.

Anyway, are we saying that we prefer O’Shea at RCB to Beyer, Al Dakhil or Ekdal? Let’s assume LCB will be a left footer so only one of those four starts.

[BurnleyFC]

He’s quick for a centre half, but I’m not sure I believe he’s the fifth fastest player in the Premier League.

There was a Fulham player (Willian, I think), that did him for pace in the first half by a couple of yards.

[boatshed bill]

He’s quick for a centre half, but I’m not sure I believe he’s the fifth fastest player in the Premier League.

There was a Fulham player (Willian, I think), that did him for pace in the first half by a couple of yards.

Speed of thought and reaction are equally important.

[TPClaret]

O’Shea has improved massively from the start of the season

[Vegas Claret]

It wouldn't surprise me if he is our Captain next season

[Jellybean]

Interesting with O’Shea, on the various stats sites for the FIFA games, which I know are made up but they try to make them fairly accurate, he has a fairly slow speed rating. Can’t see a proper real life stat anywhere.

Anyway, are we saying that we prefer O’Shea at RCB to Beyer, Al Dakhil or Ekdal? Let’s assume LCB will be a left footer so only one of those four starts.

Beyer is one of my favourites, I'm a huge fan and I think he'd be the best for rcb, but sadly I'm losing faith due to the injuries he keeps picking up. Whereas O'Shea seems to touch wood have been injury free throughout the season, for me that ensures a more consistent and settled defence which we are crying out for.

[boatshed bill]

For me, O'Shea seems to get caught facing towards our goal, and goal line, rather too often.
Can't fault his commitment though.

[Nori1958]

He’s quick for a centre half, but I’m not sure I believe he’s the fifth fastest player in the Premier League.

There was a Fulham player (Willian, I think), that did him for pace in the first half by a couple of yards.

There was a weekend earlier in the season where he was 2nd fastest player in the league

[bumba]

There's a case to be made that a centre half who isn't running quickly is in control, a defender running at full speed is usually out of position to start with

[boatshed bill]

There's a case to be made that a centre half who isn't running quickly is in control, a defender running at full speed is usually out of position to start with

Tarkowski and Mee were never fast.

[PWBFC]

And Berge has clocked the 10th highest top speed.

[Pearcey]

Will be interesting where Beyer fits when he comes back. It’s looking like O’Shea and Estève could be starting. Have to admit that I didn’t realise he was so quick. Mad to think he’s quicker than Walker!

[bumba]

Tarkowski and Mee were never fast.

We never had a quick back four they didn't need to be because they was organised. We have defenders sprinting now because we are so easy to get in behind

[Goliath]

We never had a quick back four they didn't need to be because they was organised. We have defenders sprinting now because we are so easy to get in behind

I don't think thats necessarily organisation related. Dyche played with quite a deep compact back 4 that protected the centre backs so they werent regularly caught in 1 v 1s.

Kompany seems to want them pressing up the pitch so wants defenders with the pace to recover more like the top teams. City have regularly relied on Kyle Walkers recovery pace for example, its a definite bonus if you can have pace in your back 4.

[boatshed bill]

I don't think thats necessarily organisation related. Dyche played with quite a deep compact back 4 that protected the centre backs so they werent regularly caught in 1 v 1s.

Kompany seems to want them pressing up the pitch so wants defenders with the pace to recover more like the top teams. City have regularly relied on Kyle Walkers recovery pace for example, its a definite bonus if you can have pace in your back 4.

Yes, and it would help if your midfield and forwards could hold on to the ball.
If only we could get our Championship style of play to work in the PL

[LincsWoldsClaret]

Kevin Long was our fastest player for a few years

[bumba]

I don't think thats necessarily organisation related. Dyche played with quite a deep compact back 4 that protected the centre backs so they werent regularly caught in 1 v 1s.

Kompany seems to want them pressing up the pitch so wants defenders with the pace to recover more like the top teams. City have regularly relied on Kyle Walkers recovery pace for example, its a definite bonus if you can have pace in your back 4.

It's definitely an advantage unfortunately for O'Shea other parts of his game are lacking.
Esteve looked to have some pace

[alwaysaclaret]

Interesting with O’Shea, on the various stats sites for the FIFA games, which I know are made up but they try to make them fairly accurate, he has a fairly slow speed rating. Can’t see a proper real life stat anywhere.

Anyway, are we saying that we prefer O’Shea at RCB to Beyer, Al Dakhil or Ekdal? Let’s assume LCB will be a left footer so only one of those four starts.

On Saturdays evidence yes, few nerves at the beginning but once played in they looked a good partnership esteve brought some confidence and fight to the team, I'd say we'll be pretty solid with Taylor back, a proper back 4.

[CnBtruntru]

My wife's cousin used to be one of his teachers in school in Dublin, he texted me the other week saying he had not done a good job educating him when he was there, due to the fact he was playing for Burnley. My wife's cousin is a Blackburn fan, I said he must have took one look at you and said ' well I ain't signing for them fecking horse worriers'.
Thanks for your help

[elwaclaret]

Bounces around a bit too much.

Bloody hard to man mark though.

[bfcjg]

O’Shea has improved massively from the start of the season

Totally agree.

[NewClaret]

There's a case to be made that a centre half who isn't running quickly is in control, a defender running at full speed is usually out of position to start with

It’s a bit like the Maldini quote: “if I have to make a tackle, I have already made a mistake”.

Still, never known a good defender that can’t tackle.

Recovery pace is vitally important at this level.

[NewClaret]

I don't think thats necessarily organisation related. Dyche played with quite a deep compact back 4 that protected the centre backs so they werent regularly caught in 1 v 1s.

Kompany seems to want them pressing up the pitch so wants defenders with the pace to recover more like the top teams. City have regularly relied on Kyle Walkers recovery pace for example, its a definite bonus if you can have pace in your back 4.

Spot on.

[NewClaret]

And Berge has clocked the 10th highest top speed.

Wow - didn’t know that.

[CoolClaret]

Remember - acceleration & top speed are two different factors.

Rarely will you have players hitting top speed unless they're running to goal with a lot of space in front of them.

It's the acceleration and speed over 2-5m that is where the real noticeable difference shines.

[jdrobbo]

Looked terribly out of his depth in the first couple of months but since November, he has been much better and is now looking a very good buy. His aerial duals stats are excellent too.