John O'Shea believes that club form is key ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s upcoming double-header against Belgium and Switzerland.
The interim manager, who will take charge for the March internationals before a permanent head coach is appointed in April, hopes his side can return to winning ways following some disappointing results throughout the failed Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
And while there is a large element of continuity in the 26-man squad that O’Shea named on Thursday, the former Manchester United man has brought three form players into the squad.
Sammie Szmodics is the top scorer in the Championship, netting 21 league goals this season and 27 in all competitions, Finn Azaz has continued his rise following a move from Plymouth to Middlesbrough, while Jake O’Brien has cemented his place in the Lyon first team, playing in the high-level Ligue 1 in France, having only moved from Crystal Palace last summer.
The manager will also look towards other form players, already established in the squad, like Chiedozie Ogbene at Luton, Evan Ferguson at Brighton as well as Mikey Johnston and Adam Idah who have recently joined West Brom and Celtic respectively.
Caoimhin Kelleher is another impressing at club level with Liverpool in regular keeper Alisson’s absence, while fellow goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu continues to hold the number one jersey at Southampton.
Michael Obafemi, Callum O’Dowda and Jamie McGrath have all scored recently, while Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins and Andrew Omobamidele are playing Premier League football.
"Definitely," said O’Shea, when asked was club form more important than what a player had previously done in an Ireland jersey. "You have to consider what they’ve done beforehand with Ireland too, but it’s great if they’re coming in full of confidence.
"You want that healthy competition, to know that if you’re fit and firing for your club, it’s a huge thing when coming in to make a difference at international level.
"You need to be doing it at your clubs really, as long as you’re getting game time but the bonus then is if they are creating and scoring goals as well too."
O’Shea was full of praise for new man Sammie Szmodics, who he said is "buzzing" to make his Ireland debut, and he was particularly pleased for Mikey Johnston, who has hit the ground running since his move in the recent transfer window.
"I’m really buzzing to see how they get on, one leaving Celtic and one joining Celtic," said O’Shea, when asked about the form of Johnston and fellow forward Adam Idah.
"I spoke to the two of them and they really can’t wait for the next game to come around whether club or international when you strike that type of form. It is great to see.
"It’s great to see Mikey in particular, we know Adam can score goals, he has shown that already, but for Mikey to leave Celtic and go to West Brom and to really have that impact that he has had, it is great to see."
One player whose form has dipped in recent months following a blistering start to the season is Evan Ferguson, who is going through a goal drought at Brighton, however, O'Shea does not feel it is anything to worry about for a player who is still in the embyonic stage of his career.
"Good question. It's one of those things," said O'Shea, when asked why Ferguson hadn't scored in 19 games.
"Let’s wait and see how he gets on tonight if he starts against Roma. He might hopefully get a goal and that changes [things].
"It’s going to happen in his career, because you see it with all top strikers, they have that little spell. Whether it’s down to club form, personal form, strike partners, team ideas, team tactics, what you are going to be involved in, it’s just going to happen.
"It’s happening in Ev’s career at the minute, but I have no worries whatsoever in terms of the type of character Evan is. He’ll be working hard on his game, doing everything he can to make sure he will be scoring goals again very soon."
O’Shea spoke of his own playing days and how much the squad loved to "go home" to play for their country whether they were in form at their clubs or going through a "tricky spell".
And while he agreed that Covid had knocked the fun out of international football for a while, he does not believe that the squad’s confidence dropped too much during the difficult days of the Kenny regime.
"The atmosphere every time I have come in as a coach and a player has always been very special. Hopefully that will continue to be the case," said O’Shea.
"I’ve said before this squad have been really close to winning big games. We just have to get over the line, and I think you’ll see a totally different growth and feel in the squad then. If we can do that the sooner the better, it would be great to do it against Belgium and Switzerland.
"It’s a case of getting the blend right with the experience and the younger lads, getting that blend right to have a good combination but also the confidence that they’re coming in with, and what they can do around the group is crucial for the camp too in terms of making everyone settle in and fully focused on good performances."
Speaking of the experience of Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady, O’Shea said that while he wants a good blend of older players and emerging talent, selection is always done on merit as a footballer.
"It was a great conversation to have because I know what it means to him to play for Ireland," said O’Shea, regarding his conversation with Coleman.
"In terms of the squad I wanted a good mix of that experience and new players coming in too. There was never any doubt of Seamus’ commitment that's for sure.
"I mentioned the experience and blend that's needed, Robbie’s quality, in terms of 60 caps, goalscoring player and great set pieces. Back fit and involved with Preston, it’s important you have that blend in the squad and Robbie certainly gives that in terms of the quality.
"I know he is a brilliant character too, but first and foremost it is about his footballing ability. He is fit and well and hopefully he gets some gametime at the weekend and we’ll see what happens from there.
"But as I mentioned, he can play left wing-back, left back, he can play in midfield, there is good versatility to him too, so it’s great to have him back in."
Versatility and flexibility appear to be key words in the O’Shea manifesto as the manager expects his players to be able to adapt to whatever situation or task facing them.
O’Shea named four full-backs in his squad of 26, which may suggest that he is in favour of playing with four at the back, but again, he emphasised the need for flexibility in that department.
"It’s a good option, it’s a very good option," said O’Shea, when posed the question regarding a back four.
"But we also have plenty of centre-backs in the squad too, so whatever shape or formation we come up with, it will be very flexible.
"You could have a back four but you could be building into possession with a three at the back, that we can float back into. Whether we have three at the back with the midfielders dropping in to help out...there is lots of flexibility in the squad and that is key.
"The challenges we will face against Belgium and Switzerland, they are getting close to planning and prepping for a European championships too, so we know we will be facing tough competition but one we are excited about."
O’Shea is only weeks into the job but has been busy preparing with his newly appointed backroom staff of Glenn Whelan, Paddy McCarthy, and former manager Brian Kerr.
"I got all the staff together in Castleknock last Sunday - Brian, Paddy, Glenn and the analysts - and it was brilliant, we went through a bit of the planning of the week ahead, thoughts on the squad, looking at Belgium and a bit of Switzerland as well.
"It was mainly to get everyone together and have conversations."
"He's been brilliant," said O’Shea, when asked about the influence of Kerr returning to the FAI set-up.
"He has been getting across to games, and he has been challenging me as well in terms of maybe thinking about this or that, but just backing me up too in terms of whatever decisions and stuff like that.
"He has been brilliant, great enthusiasm as always and it wasn't a surprise.
"There's still that passion there that's burning inside. It's brilliant to see and I just can't wait for the younger lads as well to see that, see what Brian is all about in terms of being involved in an international set-up, being around the hotel and stuff like that, bits of input on whether lads are training, positions."
One person who has not been in touch, however, is the eventual successor, who is expected to be announced next month, and O’Shea has just been content to keep the focus firmly on the upcoming games in Dublin.
"I have just been talking to myself," said O’Shea, when asked had there been any external input.
"There has been no input from anyone like that. My full focus has just been on the two games and picking the squad and looking forward to a big challenge against Belgium and Switzerland and whatever happens, happens.
"It’s been straightforward for me, fully focused on the two games."
