Ready to Make an Impact - Shane Osborne

READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT

WORDS // RHIAN TILLEY

Shane Osborne may be a new face on the pitch, but he’s quickly showing just how big of an impact he could make for the Saints this campaign. With a goal and Player of the Match honours already in two league starts the new forward talks about his new role in the team, our Oxfordshire Senior League opponents and what this team is capable of.

Take us through your first few months at the club. How are you settling in?

I’ve really enjoyed my first few months with Southam, getting to know the lads and I’m really enjoying playing football here. A couple of my mates had spoken with Rich about coming over and seeing what Southam was about. My old team had merged with another and I wasn’t enjoying it as much, so I wanted a fresh start somewhere else and Southam really appealed to me when I spoke with Rich about the set up.

What were your first impressions of the club?

After walking around BHP I was amazed at how good the facilities are and how professional it looks. After speaking with Rich about the club and where he wants it to be, I wanted to be a part of it, and I was up for the challenge. What experience do you bring that you think will have a positive impact this season?

I will always turn up with a positive attitude and try to get the lads up for the

game. I am a player that likes to get on the ball and drive at defenders and get the ball into the box for the strikers while getting some shots off with the hop that it finds the back of the net like last week.

Last week you had a great match; getting a goal, receiving Player of the Match and really causing Kennington problems on that left side.

Last week was my first home game of the season for Southam so I wanted to impress and show people what I am capable of. I didn’t have the best of starts but once I got my confidence I grew into the game and got my first goal for the club, which I’m buzzing about. I am really happy to have gotten my first goal for the club at home in front of the supporters and to receive Player of the Match topped it off. Over the first two matches the team has found success, but its clear as a squad you haven’t hit those top gears yet. What can we expect when all cylinders are firing?

The first two games we haven’t got out of first gear and we have still managed to pick up 6 points. The squad is working hard in training and we need to bring that to the pitch on match days to give the supporters some entertaining football. I strongly believe that when all cylinders are firing we will be unstoppable and will win a lot of games.

This weekend’s opposition are just above Southam in the league table and have already scored a whopping 16 goals in 3 matches. What is it going to take on Saturday to not concede against a team that is racking up the goal tally?

Our defence has been incredible and haven’t put a foot wrong. They are looking really sharp and solid. Myself and the lads in front of them will need to step up the intensity and protect our defence more this weekend. We have to be switched on from the first whistle to the last and make sure we are giving it 100% fro the entire game to make sure we stop them from adding to their goal tally.

Summertown, on the other hand, has also conceded 9 goals in 3 matches. Whats going to make the difference for Southam going forward?

Last week against Kennington in the first half we created a lot of chances going forward. We do that again this weekend and take our chances, we will score a lot of goals. We know Summertown have conceded nine, but that doesn’t mean anything. We need to make sure we stay focused, keep creating plenty of chances, and hopefully we can punish them.

Against Kennington you seemed to find success in cutting in from the left and getting the ball on your right foot. Was that just what was working for you on the day or is that a signature of your style of play? As I mentioned, I like to get on the ball and drive at defenders, getting the ball around the edge of the box and cutting in on to my right foot is what I love to do. Hopefully you will see more of that this season. I want to get on the score sheet as much as I can to contribute to the club’s success.

We saw quite a few faces at BHP last weekend and they were nice and loud when you and Wendel scored your goals. How nice is it to have supporters back watching you play?

At my previous club we didn’t have supporters, so coming to Southam and having the supporters there gives you that extra boost. Scoring my first goal in front of the supporters and hearing them made it that bit more special and I’m looking forward to getting back on the pitch on Saturday.

When its not a football day what do you get up to in your free time?

When I’m not playing football I spend most of my evenings in the gym or I’m spending time with family and friends. •

We need to make sure we stay focused, keep creating plenty of chances, and hopefully we can punish them