O’Shea blossoms as Ireland’s players raise their game for Trapattoni
John O'Shea is the best example of how Ireland's players are blossoming under Giovanni Trapattoni
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ON the last day of the summer training camp in Portugal back in May, Giovanni Trapattoni took time to answer a question about that night's Champions League final.
The Italian said that the players would be sitting down together to watch the game, stressing that, in football, the search for further education never stops.
That was the whole point of that exercise in the Algarve which, in hindsight, was far more than the traditional end-of-season jolly. It was about building a structure and instilling a mentality that will secure improvement in the long run.
"The players today are here," said Trapattoni, gesturing with his hand at his midriff before raising it even higher to represent different levels when adding, "And tomorrow they may be here and, then, after tomorrow, they could be here."
Essentially, it was all about the mission to produce that extra 20 or 30pc from players in terms of their performance.
On the evidence of the past week, and a satisfying four-point haul from the opening World Cup qualifiers, it is clear that he is finding more from Glenn Whelan the longer he spends working with him.
Similarly, Kevin Doyle has developed a real maturity to his game, while Steven Reid is a commanding presence who understands his responsibilities in the centre of the park with the new system giving purpose to his involvement with the Irish team where before he had a nomadic status.
Trapattoni made special reference to Aiden McGeady yesterday, stressing how pleased he has been with his defensive aptitudes.
"On Wednesday and the game before McGeady worked twice the amount from what he had done in the past," said the 69-year-old.
"He must understand that we can work offensively as well as defensively. Two years ago he was young and it is normal. He is still young, but he is learning."
The irony is that the player whose performances have commanded most discussion in the postmortem of Wednesday's draw in Montenegro was actually in Moscow on the night of that Champions League showdown, itching to get involved.
John O'Shea received a medal, but didn't play any part in Manchester United's success, although he was very nearly summoned with a view to taking a penalty kick in the final minutes of extra-time, but Anderson got the nod instead.
With Ireland, there has been less water-carrying for the Waterford native. He has always been a guaranteed starter, much as it has riled his many detractors who claim he is undeserving of the status.
In fairness, he has given that school of thought plenty of ammunition by committing mistakes that a player of his calibre should not.
Frustrations
Generally, the frustrations were borne from the belief that the ability was there, just not the concentration or even the desire given his comfortable life situation.
When O'Shea was younger -- with his languid style of play and natural athleticism -- those on-field aberrations were forgiven as it was assumed they would be eradicated in time. Yet at Old Trafford he has struggled to develop into a regular, perpetually remaining as the versatile squad man.
Now 27, it was assumed when he burst onto the scene that by this stage of his career his role in the Irish camp would be as that of a leader.
It is only in the last few games, under the stewardship of Trapattoni, that he has lived up to such a billing.
On Wednesday, alongside Richard Dunne, he displayed an aggression lacking in the past, which had perhaps prevented him from developing into a recognised centre half.
Speaking about O'Shea yesterday, Trapattoni made a similar point, using the word determination -- with the aid of his interpreter -- when the gesture he made appeared to have an even more physical meaning.
"I cannot speak about other situations and how he has played in the past", said Trapattoni. "But John is a player who understands football, who finds it easy sometimes.
"I think also that a defender must be a little more determined. But John plays easy, and looks also to use the ball when it is only necessary.
Strong
"For him as a defender, it's also important that the midfield is strong and helps the defence. That has happened in the last two games, but I think John has played very, very well."
Overall, the construction of a reliable back four is an innovation that has heartened the Italian with a view to the long road ahead.
With Dunne and O'Shea as centre-halves, and Kevin Kilbane and Steve Finnan at full- back, he has plenty of experience.
Behind them is the reliable Shay Given, who Trapattoni has again proclaimed as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe, possibly ranking him behind only Gianluigi Buffon.
After watching previous campaigns where goals were leaked frequently, Trapattoni believes it is progress to have conceded just an injury-time consolation to Georgia in his first two competitive starts.
Balance
"We have a good balance in this sector," he said. "I think we have built a good unit, it is a good situation for us.
"Of course, in future we will look at other players -- Damien Delaney is growing and Paul McShane has a good mentality, but at the moment I am happy with our back four."
It's worth noting, in the context of their recent sturdiness, that Trap's defensive quartet were all involved on that infamous night in Nicosia, albeit with Kilbane in midfield, O'Shea at left-back and Andy O'Brien at the heart of the back four.
That was a night of disorganisation, a classic case of a manager unable to get anything near the best from his players. The new regime is challenging those players to discover if they know what their best really is.
In the case of O'Shea, it is an exciting development and not before time either. The bar has been stuck at the same level for too long; now he has the opportunity to raise it.
