Jay O'Shea Confident in Brisbane Roar's A-League Prospects

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Jay O'Shea's Renewed Optimism for Brisbane Roar's A-League Prospects

Veteran Midfielder Sees Parallels to Promising Early Days Under Robbie Fowler

Brisbane Roar's seasoned midfielder, Jay O'Shea, is entering the upcoming A-League season with a sense of optimism reminiscent of his inaugural year with the club.

Reflecting on his tenure, O'Shea remarked, "I feel like we're going in the right direction again."

He drew parallels to the 2019 season under Robbie Fowler, noting, "The strength of the squad that we put together, it's the first time I've felt like that since that first year."

Since joining Brisbane Roar in 2019, O'Shea has been a pivotal figure, amassing over 110 A-League appearances and netting 21 goals.

His contributions were recognized with a two-year contract extension in December 2023, securing his presence through the 2025/26 season.

O'Shea emphasized the importance of bolstering the squad with international talent, stating, "Probably what we haven't done enough in recent years is sign international players, visa players, so we've filled those spots now."

The Roar have indeed strengthened their roster with notable signings, including English striker Chris Long, Bosnian midfielder Milorad Stajic, Costa Rican international Youstin Salas, and Greek winger Georgios Vrakas.

O'Shea highlighted the depth of the current squad, saying, "I feel like this year we've got a lot of experience, two or three players for each position, so there's a lot of competition for places which is only healthy and that can only be good for us."

Under the guidance of new head coach Michael Valkanis, the team is focusing on versatility.

O'Shea noted, "He wants us to be versatile. He's not just working on one formation; he wants to be able to change formations, and that's the way you have to be. You can't be just rigid in this day and age."

As the Roar prepare to kick off their season against Macarthur FC at Suncorp Stadium on October 17, O'Shea's confidence in the team's direction and composition suggests a promising campaign ahead.

Fans are eager to see if this revitalized squad can translate their preseason optimism into on-field success.