Level-headed Dara O'Shea learning how to handle West Brom setbacks
Albion defender Dara O’Shea says his first season in the Premier League has taught him how to deal with football’s setbacks.
The 22-year-old has shone for the Baggies in recent weeks with Sam Allardyce’s side having conceded just two goals in their last five matches.
And his performances yesterday earned him another call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad alongside Baggies team-mate Callum Robinson for World Cup qualifiers with Serbia and Luxembourg, as well a friendly against 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar.
After joining Albion from St Kevin’s Boys in Ireland, O’Shea enjoyed two loans spells – the first of which saw him win promotion with Hereford before he then enjoyed a successful campaign with Exeter.
And last season, after forcing his way into the first-team, he then played an integral role in the Baggies winning promotion to the Premier League.
This season, though, things have been different for the Republic of Ireland international with Albion rooted in the relegation zone.
“The loan moves I’ve had have put me in the position I am in now – but this is the season I’ve learned the most,” O’Shea said. “In the last three seasons, I’ve been at clubs where we’ve been winning and the team’s doing well.
“When you’re in a team that’s not winning as many games – that’s tough, mentally. Your mood changes.
“Coming off the back end of a not great result is tough and it puts your week off to a low start.
“So things have been a lot different this season, with the way it’s gone.
“I think this season has put everything into perspective for me.
“You can’t get too high on the good results, and too down on the bad results. You have to keep it steady, keep a level head.
“All it takes is a couple of results to put our season back on track and hopefully get into a better position.”
O’Shea’s impressive form means Nigerian international Semi Ajayi is currently having to make do with a place on Albion’s bench.
But back in January, things weren’t going as well for the Dublin-born star.
O’Shea was taken off after just 24 minutes in the game against Fulham as the Baggies struggled in a back three.
Now, though, the centre-back believes that incident proves you can’t let low moments get on top of you.
“As a player you don’t want to be taken off at any time,” he said.
“When it’s at an early stage like that, it’s tough to take.
“At the time I was upset and annoyed at it.
“But speaking to the manager and the staff, it was purely a tactical change that they told me about and that put me at ease. You can’t really get too down with them moments, you have to keep it steady.”
