Extra time pays for Sheehan

[Thracian]

From the Blue Army site:

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by Andy Mann

Leicester City defender Alan Sheehan believes he is beginning to reap the rewards of his extra work on the training ground.

Sheehan revealed he has been staying behind at the end of sessions to work on his game, particularly his set-piece delivery.

And it is beginning to pay off with Sheehan, who has made eight starts this season, enjoying his first run in the side for almost two years.

His in-swinging corners were the source of both goals in the crucial win against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, and he is also the team's joint top-scorer thanks to his free-kicks against Watford and Nottingham Forest in the Coca-Cola Cup.

The 21-year-old Sheehan said: “Set-pieces are something that we have been working on.

“We have great aerial threat from corners and if you put the ball in the right areas we are going to score.

“It's something I do a lot of work on, particularly since the new manager came in.

“I work with (assistant manager) Frank Burrows and we stay out an extra 20 or 30 minutes after training, working on free-kicks outside the box and stuff like that.

“The gaffer says to make sure we get the ball in the right areas and lucky enough on Saturday we got two goals.

“I had a free-kick in the second half which was really close as well.”

He added: “I am pleased to be playing. Last year was very frustrating for me because I wanted to get into the side.

“This year I have had a good run then a little rest. I came back in on Saturday and it was good to get the win.”

Sheehan's performances for City have earned him a recall to the Republic of Ireland Under-21s. He has not played since winning the last of his five caps when he was 19.

But today he was set to travel to Stockholm for the game against Sweden Under-21s on Friday.

“It's brilliant to get a call up,” he said. “We have got a good team and it's always great to play for your country.”

Sheehan is out of contract at the Walkers Stadium at the end of the season. And the former Academy-player-of-the-year, who has been at the club since he was 16, said: “I would love to stay at the club.

“At the moment my personal goal is to stay in the Leicester team and do as well as I can.

“For the team it is to win as many games and get into the play-offs or promoted.”

Gareth McAuley, meanwhile, has been called up by Northern Ireland for their European Championship qualifier against Sweden next Wednesday. The City defender, who had initially been put on standby, will link up with the squad on Saturday.

McAuley, captain in the absence of Stephen Clemence, who has a hamstring injury, has received further recognition by being included in the Championship team of the week.

[Manwell Pablo]

Funny, you'd think he'd work on the weakness's instead, he's got enough of them.

And theres my cheap swipe at Alan Sheehan for today.

Morning Al.

[Ric Flair]

I hope he continues to work harder on the training ground. He's starting to improve. Defensively he needs a lot of work, but his free-kicks and corners are essential for us IMO. I think Mattock is more advanced both defensively and actually getting forward and taking players on, but Sheehan's ability to cross and strike a ball are a big plus for us, as we don't score that many goals.

It's a shame Sheehan and Mattock can't be rolled in to one, as we don't have room for both of them in a 5-3-2.

Keep up the good work, i've been impressed with him for the majority of his games so far this season. He has his critics, but he's not as bad as some make out, and certainly not as good as some make out either. He's got his uses for us this season.

[The People's Hero]

Hard work is certainly necessary - he could do with some expert defensive help through from someone who has experience perhaps as a full back. I'm sure Taggart will be shouting at him to 'get close' whenever he can.

[Fez of Mahrez]

Fair play to him, I criticise him a lot and I still feel it's deserved but the delivery for those two corners on Saturday were spectacular. Keep putting in balls like that and Megson will want him in the team, simple.

[Ric Flair]

Hard work is certainly necessary - he could do with some expert defensive help through from someone who has experience perhaps as a full back. I'm sure Taggart will be shouting at him to 'get close' whenever he can.

That is his downfall at the minute. Tackling wise he's fairly steady, passing ability goes from very good to very bad. He's fairly decent going forward, will get better and better with confidence. His free-kicks, corners and crossing is something to be praised. Can't fault the chap there too be honest.

There's signs of a decent player there. At 21, i'd hope he could now push on. Mattock is still a better all round player though, at 17 it's frightening.

[Bryn]

I don't think we have a standout left wing back and Sheehan's set pieces mean he is first in line by a street IMO, they're deadly. You can't argue with his goals and assists this season, we should really praise him more. He does definately need more defensive work though, and probably some open play attacking work as well.

[Manwell Pablo]

Hard work is certainly necessary - he could do with some expert defensive help through from someone who has experience perhaps as a full back. I'm sure Taggart will be shouting at him to 'get close' whenever he can.

Saturday was funny.

I dunno if I was the only one who noticed but Wedesday came down our left alot, and I mean alot. Sheehan Stood 10-15 yards off his man every time, Chambers came from midfield and closed his man down for him, while Sheehan sort of stood off playing everyone on side.

On the other side of the pitch it was a different story Stearman closed down eveything that moved really well.

Still can't knock his performance at the other end of the pitch which is something I suppose

[The People's Hero]

Just feel he could do with a bit of specialist help.

I don't think it's an unwillingness to properly close down or defend, just shockingly he's never been shown how to do it.

Often he just gives the appearance of being lost... caught in 2 minds, but always sticking with the 'stand off' option.

Having said that, it's not that difficult to work out.

Fair play to him for the effort in training though and indeed for the set pieces.

[Thracian]

That is his downfall at the minute. Tackling wise he's fairly steady, passing ability goes from very good to very bad. He's fairly decent going forward, will get better and better with confidence. His free-kicks, corners and crossing is something to be praised. Can't fault the chap there too be honest.

There's signs of a decent player there. At 21, i'd hope he could now push on. Mattock is still a better all round player though, at 17 it's frightening.

Depends what you want. I doubt Mattock will ever score/create the goals Sheehan does. And we have desperately needed a free-kick specialist for ages.

With good aerial defenders like Kisnorbo and McAuley, plus Cort and perhaps N'Gotty in the mix precision, delivery with pace is vital.

And from dead ball situations, direct or indirect, few Championship players can bend a ball as far, as fast or as accurately as Sheehan.

[Manwell Pablo]

Depends what you want. I doubt Mattock will ever score/create the goals Sheehan does.

I don't think Clemance is miles behind Sheehan in the set piece stakes and it will be him taking the them not Mattock, so your points redundant.

[Thracian]

I don't think Clemance is miles behind Sheehan in the set piece stakes and it will be him taking the them not Mattock, so your points redundant.

Have to disagree I'm afraid - not about Mattock but about Clemence.

[Manwell Pablo]

Have to disagree I'm afraid - not about Mattock but about Clemence.

Taking a corner isn't hard you just have to put it in the right area. It doesn't require an expert, it certainly doesn't require playing a player with severe defensive limitations just because he can take them.

[Guest]

Have to disagree I'm afraid - not about Mattock but about Clemence.

Why? Clem did at Palace what Sheehan did at Hillsborough.

[Thracian]

Taking a corner isn't hard you just have to put it in the right area. It doesn't require an expert, it certainly doesn't require playing a player with severe defensive limitations just because he can take them.

Anyone can take a corner - as we've seen from all sorts. It's the bend, flight, pace and accuracy which cause the trouble. And Sheehan has the same ability from free-kicks or when given shooting/passing oppotunities right back to the halfway line.

You harp on Sheehan's defensive "limitations" but, for whatever reason, our defence has never conceded more goals than usual when he's played - in fact I believe it is slightly fewer though I cannot be bothered checking the figures.

I'm also aware that three or our four victories this season have come with Sheehan in the team as have most of our goals. We haven't scored many when he's not played.

[The People's Hero]

Anyone can take a corner - as we've seen from all sorts. It's the bend, flight, pace and accuracy which cause the trouble. And Sheehan has the same ability from free-kicks or when given shooting/passing oppotunities right back to the halfway line.

You harp on Sheehan's defensive "limitations" but, for whatever reason, our defence has never conceded more goals than usual when he's played - in fact I believe it is slightly fewer though I cannot be bothered checking the figures.

I'm also aware that three or our four victories this season have come with Sheehan in the team as have most of our goals. We haven't scored many when he's not played.

Defensive limitations?

More Thracian spin.

Defensively he's crap. Simple as.

[eaststandtom]

I hope he continues to work harder on the training ground. He's starting to improve. Defensively he needs a lot of work, but his free-kicks and corners are essential for us IMO. I think Mattock is more advanced both defensively and actually getting forward and taking players on, but Sheehan's ability to cross and strike a ball are a big plus for us, as we don't score that many goals.

It's a shame Sheehan and Mattock can't be rolled in to one, as we don't have room for both of them in a 5-3-2.

Keep up the good work, i've been impressed with him for the majority of his games so far this season. He has his critics, but he's not as bad as some make out, and certainly not as good as some make out either. He's got his uses for us this season.

cant understand why nils eric and tiatto played in front of this guy.

they were shit defensively and useless on the ball.

[Joe.]

It's good he has the right attitude and working hard to keep his place in the team. I hope he continues to improve, because he's still some way from being the answer to our left side in my opinion.

As for the set-piece business, it would be nice to have somebody who can consistently deliver a good ball. We've not had somebody like that for years now. It's incredible how many goals can come from set-pieces if the right ball is put in.

[Manwell Pablo]

Anyone can take a corner - as we've seen from all sorts. It's the bend, flight, pace and accuracy which cause the trouble. And Sheehan has the same ability from free-kicks or when given shooting/passing oppotunities right back to the halfway line.

You harp on Sheehan's defensive "limitations" but, for whatever reason, our defence has never conceded more goals than usual when he's played - in fact I believe it is slightly fewer though I cannot be bothered checking the figures.

I'm also aware that three or our four victories this season have come with Sheehan in the team as have most of our goals. We haven't scored many when he's not played.

As I've said to you if you look at the goals we have conceaded whilst he's playing (at left back) about 75% have come from his side. He plays in a team with 8 defenders in we're bound to not concead many.

In any case are you trying to tell me he's a good defender

[Thracian]

Defensive limitations?

More Thracian spin.

Defensively he's crap. Simple as.

The only "simple" when it comes to football is you.

[Manwell Pablo]

Thats former player of the season Danny Tiatto as well.

I though Tiatto did alright last season, and you can't really moan about him taking Sheehans place the season before that, as Tiatto only made about 8 apperances.

[Thracian]

As I've said to you if you look at the goals we have conceaded whilst he's playing (at left back) about 75% have come from his side. He plays in a team with 8 defenders in we're bound to not concead many.

In any case are you trying to tell me he's a good defender

He's not nearly as bad as you make out.

Are you telling me you're not irreversibly biased?

[Koke]

He's done OK this season. Obviously defensivly he needs hell of a lot of improvments, but his set pieces are essential for us at the moment. However, Joe Mattock is the better player over-all. And since we playing 3-5-2, Mattock is the first in the line for me. Stephen Clemence can deliver a ball too, not far behind Sheehan.

[The People's Hero]

He's not nearly as bad as you make out.

Are you telling me you're not irreversibly biased?

If he was 2 years older or simply just from a different academy, you'd have hung him out to dry by now.

And you have the gall to accuse others of being biased?

Wake up and smell the coffee, grandad.

[Manwell Pablo]

He's not nearly as bad as you make out.

Are you telling me you're not irreversibly biased?

No no I can be swung he had a good game on Saturday, but he still does not close down well enough and he needs to learn to do it if he's going to be a decent full back.