THE VITAL JOHN O’SHEA
Sunderland captain has had a few defensive partners, however he has outshone them all
It was another day of acrimony on Saturday for Sunderland, a poor result understandably overshadowing a fine achievement for centre-half John O’Shea.
The Irishman moved past Phil Bardsley’s record for the most Premier league appearances in a red and white shirt, featuring for the 175th time.
Never far away from the thick of the action, O’Shea has seen a number of managers, great escapes, and a memorable cup run.
One of the most dependable players in the squad, he has often held together an ailing defence.
To underline the scale of turbulence O’Shea has held his own through, we ranked the remarkable list of 16 centre-halves he has been paired up with during his time on Wearside.
Of course, after recent developments, it is highly likely to become 17 very soon. So where will Joleon Lescott prove to fit in among this bunch?
16. Modibo Diakite
It wouldn’t be for another fortnight that Paolo Di Canio’s reign would unravel at The Hawthorns, but really the writing had been on the wall from a disastrous trip to Selhurst Park. Diakite, one of many signings that summer who didn’t make a success of their Sunderland career, endured a wretched afternoon and O’Shea ended up taking a red card for a professional foul. Diakite has just signed for Ternana in the Italian second tier. 15. Sotirios Kyrgiakos
Sunderland are no strangers to a last-minute loan deal in the dying embers of the January window, and Kyrgiakos is a vintage example of the genre. Chipped in with four appearances but his powers were very clearly on the wane. Retired after spending a short spell in Sydney. 14. Kader Mangane
Signed on loan from Al-Hilal, Mangane played a surprise role in two memorable Sunderland wins, Di Canio’s 3-0 defeat of Newcastle United and the 1-0 win over Everton that followed. A late substitute in both as Sunderland protected their leads, he never threatened to have much of a career in the North East. Has had a nomadic existence since, now in the French Second Division with Strasbourg. 13. Valentin Roberge
Scored against Peterborough in a League Cup win and played his part in a remarkable Goodison Park victory alongside Diakite and Ondrej Celustka, but only