O’SHEA BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED BY LUTON TOWN DRAW

Defender disappointed but taking positives from performance

Defender Dara O’Shea described feeling bitterly disappointed following a late Luton Town equaliser at Turf Moor on Friday evening.

“Bitterly disappointed, I thought we dominated the game, defended well, created chances, so to come out of the game with just one point is a tough one to take.

“I think the manner of their goal as well is even harder. We just can’t understand the decision as players, we don’t get told anything after the game by the referees either, which is quite weird, but look the decision’s been given now and that’s the card we’ve been dealt.”

An Amdouni goal gave the Clarets the lead and despite chances, Carlton Morris’s 92nd minute equaliser saw a share of the points. However, looking back at the game overall, 24-year-old O’Shea was pleased with plenty of aspects of the performance.

“I thought the performance was very good, there was a lot of positives to take from the game. Luton play quite a direct way; they played a lot of diagonal balls and I thought we did really well as a team. You know, they like to get the ball in the box, and I think especially our fullbacks and wingers, did really well to get that doubling up and stop the crosses. Then the midfielders, the two Josh’s’ were excellent, I thought Josh Cullen in particular made some really important blocks today and epitomised that performance.”

Whilst a plethora of chances is positive, Manager Vincent Kompany and the players have spoken in previous games about the importance of ensuring the chances are converted into goals, something O’Shea was keen to emphasise.

“Yes, it’s been important, that happens a lot to us. We’re really happy to be in those positions, it’s important to get in those positions, but we’ve got to take our chances you know. We can leave the game behind us by not taking them, it’s probably come back to bite us a bit today. But it’s important for the lads to get in those positions but I think they know themselves, without anyone else, that we need to be finishing them.

“And as well, us at the back coming up for corners, we need to contribute as well. It hasn’t been good enough on our part.”

Previous meetings between Luton Town and the Clarets have been tight encounters, did the game play out how O’Shea expected?

“Definitely. I think the gaffer and the coaching staff got it spot on really with them. We knew what they were going to do, and we prepped for that in the week. I think our game plan was good, we nullified their key players, the danger players that like to get the ball in the box.

“I thought the lads did really well, Traff came and got a lot of crosses today which is important, it takes a lot of pressure off us at the back when he’s coming out and doing that. He’s gaining confidence each week which is massive for us, he’s been an important player and he’s going to be massive for us.”

There was also a change at the back for O’Shea who was partnered with Hjalmar Ekdal, who had been out for some time due to injury.

“All of the defenders at this Club are top quality and any player that comes in just slots in nicely and I think that’s a credit to us at the Club and the work that we do as a unit. All the defenders included, obviously Hjalmar’s had his injuries, and he’s come back in, and he’s been outstanding tonight – really easy to play alongside. The same with Ameen slotting in at left back that’s not his favourite position so it’s great for him to come in and get them minutes too.”

The late VAR call added an element of discussion after the game naturally and when asked what Manager Vincent Kompany’s message was to the players come the final whistle, O’Shea said he was focussing on the positives.

“It was quite positive, he echoed that we defended well, we created the chances, but we’ve got to take them. Then obviously the other point was the decision and that’s that. I think all in all it’s important for us to take the positives, keep our heads up. We’ve got a few days off now, come back in, hit the ground running and look forward to Man City.”