Ipswich Town captain Dara O’Shea insists he is focused on football ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City, despite the storm surrounding the Premier League leaders.

City have dominated headlines for the last two weeks after an independent commission found the club guilty on 114 of the 115 charges the Premier League brought against them. The club has strongly denied wrongdoing and has appealed, keeping the story in the headlines across the football world.

However, it hasn’t taken up much of O’Shea’s time; he has plenty of his own matters to focus on in recent weeks, both on and off the pitch and admits he has mainly stayed away from the debate of City’s legal situation.

It’s Way Above My Pay Grade

Like most footballers, O’Shea has seen the headlines and discussion around Manchester City’s situation, but the Republic of Ireland international is more than happy to leave those talks to others. With Town preparing to face one of their toughest tests of the season, the defender thinks now is the time to focus elsewhere.

“I don’t really know, to be fair. I don’t really pay too much heed to it. There’s a lot going on in my life, so I don’t really need to get involved in other clubs’ things.

“There’s a lot going on in the media and different things happen. That’s a battle that they’re fighting themselves and what will be, will be. Obviously you’ve got regulations and you’ve got stuff that is in place. I’ll leave it to them, it’s way above my pay grade to have an opinion on.”

It is a typically straightforward response from the Town captain, who continues to keep his focus on what he can influence rather than issues going on elsewhere.

A Huge Test Awaits

Regardless of the noise, O’Shea knows exactly what Ipswich are facing this weekend. Manchester City have made another strong start to the campaign and are one of the strongest teams in European football.

Their recent 3-0 victory at Liverpool underlined the challenge awaiting Gary O’Neil’s side when they visit the Etihad, while even a midweek Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain does little to dampen the quality within City’s squad; for O’Shea the task is as it would be for any version of Manchester City.

“Playing against City at any stage or any feeling is always going to be difficult. It’s going to be a game that we’re going to have to be ready for. We’re going to have to show a lot of character in that game and see where that puts us. They’ve got such great quality that it doesn’t really matter, they could put out any team and they’re still going to be a really, really tough team to play against.”

“Of course, it could always spur them on a bit more, but that’s football. We’ll try and find our way to motivate ourselves.”

That final point perhaps sums up Ipswich’s mentality under O’Neil. Rather than focusing on City’s motivation, reputation or circumstances, the Blues are concentrating on producing their own performance.

Confidence Growing at Portman Road

Town head into the fixture in a far healthier position than many expected at this stage of the season. The dramatic comeback victory against Fulham before the international break lifted Ipswich into tenth place and made it three wins from their opening six league matches.

All three victories have featured late winning goals, highlighting a resilience and belief that has become a feature of this squad, O’Shea’s stoppage-time winner against Fulham was the latest example.

“Confidence is massive in the league and it’s important to have that momentum behind you. Getting the three points after such a long break was always important. Really happy with where we are, we’re going into it with confidence but understanding of the game and task at hand.”

Belief Without Complacency

While supporters are understandably encouraged by the start Town have made, O’Shea’s comments suggest there is no danger of the squad getting carried away. The Blues are enjoying their positive position in the table, but there is also a clear understanding of what still lies ahead.

Trips to clubs such as Manchester City remain among the toughest assignments in world football, regardless of form or league position. That’s why O’Shea’s balanced outlook is likely to please supporters as much as his recent performances.

There is belief within the group, but also realism. Ipswich will travel to the Etihad knowing they are underdogs, yet they will also arrive with momentum, confidence and a growing conviction that they can compete at this level.

After three wins in six matches and a dramatic victory over Fulham, nobody within the Town dressing room will be lacking belief. The challenge now is seeing whether they can turn that belief into another statement result against one of the biggest clubs in the world.