4 days ago
John O'Shea hoping new recruits can create competition ahead of World Cup qualifiers
John O'Shea is hoping for selection headaches and that the fringe players make their case for World Cup qualifying inclusion in the upcoming doubleheader against Senegal and Luxembourg.
Heimir Hallgrimsson named an experimental squad, to a certain degree, for the end-of-season friendly internationals, leaving several key players out following a long season at club level.
The two games, and the current international camp, are the last chance for the management to cast their eye over those on the periphery, as well as a few new editions to the squad with Josh Honohan from Shamrock Rovers, Stade de Reims' John Joe Patrick Finn, and Killian Phillips from St Mirren all included.
Getting the balance right appears to be the approach to these two games with many players arriving into camp with varying levels of activity in recent weeks with club seasons ending, for some, up to five weeks ago.
And the immediate aim is to get the team to peak for the first of the two games at Aviva Stadium on Friday night, which has seen the squad build the intensity within a more relaxed end-of-season style camp
"Yeah, to a certain degree," said assistant coach, John O'Shea, when asked whether there was a more relaxed approach to the summer camp.
"The test that Senegal will give us, and also Luxembourg away is not an easy game. So that's going to give us a different test.
"First and foremost, Senegal, you can have a bit more relaxed atmosphere. Today was a more intense day in training, [then] we can relax a little bit more tomorrow in training in terms of the load.
"But we've had to, because some lads are finishing at different timeframes over the last couple of weeks. You have to have that balance right of the training to make sure we're hopefully peaking for Friday evening."
O'Shea admits that there is added scrutiny on the players' performances at training and going into the two games with a real focus on the squad that is going to take on the six-game qualifying campaign from September to November.
And he is hoping that some players stand out from the crowd and really give the management dilemmas when it comes to nailing down the final contingent.
"Without a doubt, that's always the perfect scenario that the manager and the staff have a difficult decision to make," said O'Shea.
"First and foremost, it's always a difficult decision to pick a team. But then when you're picking the squad, you're saying to the boys now, players that are maybe not here, they're looking in thinking, oh, if he does well, if he comes on, if he does well.
"But behind all that is the goal to qualify for a major tournament, the goal to have the reliability of knowing that if he gets injured, this guy done brilliant for us, we know he's ready to go.
"Seeing that they're able to mix into the group, they know the scenario of the group in terms of what the coaching staff are looking for, what the management is looking for.
"If someone really stands up and goes, right, I'm ready to go, it's a huge bonus."
O'Shea offered his thoughts on some of the new arrivals and said that everyone has been impressed with their first involvement with the senior squad.
"They've been impressive, plenty of good powerful running, good tackling, kind of intensity in training that they constantly bring, good characters," said O'Shea.
"It's a little bit easier for Killian for example. John is settling in well but it's obviously a little bit different for him where he's coming in from France, but they've settled in brilliantly and like with any new players that come into the group, the players help them out as much as they can.
"Josh Honohan, he's brilliant, he was having good battles with Festy Ebosele today and it was really good to see that he's able to compete and show what he's all about and that's what we want.
"We want the players to come in and show that personality. And that's why they've been picked. And hopefully they'll get a chance to show that at some stage over the two games."
Others have been involved before, and O'Shea is adamant that places are still up for grabs and the likes of Kasey McAteer can use this window to take his opportunity.
"It was a difficult one at times for him (McAteer), but he finished the season very strong and he's looking at being really positive for next season, and to have an impact in these two games."
Ireland have struggled in competitive fixtures at this time of year in recent campaigns, but the non-competitive aspect of this international window is allowing the management to build relationships and making stronger bonds throughout the squad as World Cup qualifying kicks in as soon as the new season starts.
"Ultimately, it's for the coaching staff to have the time with the players to get to increase the relationship with the players, increase the bond with the players, to introduce one or two new players, all those little factors.
"Yeah, it's awkward in the sense of the timing, it's different in the feeling of if these were qualifiers, the whole kind of reaction around it, but in the mindset, you have to build into what it can lead to qualifying for tournaments.
"I think the bigger goal of qualifying for the World Cup in America, Canada, Mexico, that has to outweigh it.
"If we get players to have an impact this week in the friendlies that suddenly help us qualify or score a goal to qualify for us for the World Cup, I think you'll say it was definitely worthwhile."
