Josh Sheehan: Euro’s omission, promotion pain and Bolton beginnings

Josh Sheehan was on the verge of a place on the plane for EURO 2020 in the summer.

But it was Joe Allen, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Morrell, Jonny Williams, Dylan Levitt, Rubin Colwill and Matthew Smith that Rob Page elected to select as his midfield options. 

The news came as a difficult blow for Sheehan, who had been impressing in Newport’s promotion push. 

The midfielder reflects on a challenging time in his career, in which he had to react positively to the omission. 

“Of course, there’s disappointment. I feel that most players believe in themselves and back themselves to show that you’re good enough to be in the team, regardless of the players in the team. 

“You feel like you’re good enough and if you get the chance, you’re going to show what you can do. 

“Unfortunately for me, the manager picked the squad that he wanted to take and you have to deal with them decisions, but when you get the chance again, you have to show what you can do.”

Sheehan earned his first international call-up in November 2020 for fixtures against the USA, Finland and Republic of Ireland. 

The midfielder went on to make his international debut as a half time substitute in the 0-0 draw against the USA. 

With the fixture played at the Liberty Stadium, home of his boyhood club Swansea City, it was a special night for Sheehan. 

“It was unbelievable. I’ve always wanted to and believed I was good enough to do it. 

“Sometimes, it’s not always about how good you are, it’s about the right players at the right time, things going for you and injuries being on your side. 

“I felt really proud for me and my family to get to the national stage, probably the biggest you can get to. 

“Playing for Wales is a massive dream for me. It was surreal to make my debut. It was just unfortunate that my family couldn’t come to watch with it being in Swansea as well. It’s something I’ll never forget and an unbelievable feeling.”

On international duty, Sheehan was rubbing shoulders with Welsh football royalty in the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale. 

But, despite their world-class status, the 26-year-old expressed that he was made to feel at home from the off. 

“It feels surreal when you’re there. You see the likes of Gareth Bale, players you’ve only seen on TV. When you’re just next to them, you forget about that and just see them as a teammate. 

“Because they’re so down to earth, they’re so easy to get along with, there are no big time Charlies there that you can’t talk to. 

“You can talk to everyone, which really helps to settle in and there’s nobody better to learn from than the top players in world football.”

Wales return to action this week as they host Belarus, before a crunch-time clash with Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium. 

With Sheehan left out of the squad for the international camp, the midfielder expressed his determination to put the Wales shirt back on.

“My main focus is playing well for Bolton, winning games and being at the right end of the table, achieve the targets we set out at the start of the season. 

“I’m sure if my performances at Bolton are good, then my name will be knocking on the door. 

“Hopefully that means I get a chance, but there’s nothing more I can do than play well for Bolton. 

“Of course, my ambition is to play for Wales, I believe I can be there, but if I play well at club level, the rest will take care of itself.”

Sheehan joined Bolton Wanderers on a two-year deal in the summer, as his contract at Newport County expired. 

The former Premier League club gained promotion to League One at the end of last season, having finished third in the table. 

With the club having aspirations of returning to the top of England’s football pyramid, Sheehan expressed that joining Bolton was a no-brainer. 

“I spoke to them at the end of last season. They made their interest clear to me, but I wanted to finish the season at Newport and the goal was to get promoted, unfortunately we didn’t. 

“After the final, that’s when I spoke to the manager and agreed everything. When I spoke to the manager, I felt that was the best next move for me, rather than going to any other club.

“I wanted to join the ambition of the club, they’ve been promoted and want to get promoted again. 

“Just the size of the club, you see it with the fans on away days like down in Plymouth for example, they’re taking numbers when other clubs wouldn’t take close to how many they do. It shows how big the club is and it’s only going in one direction.”

Sheehan has made a positive impression since his move to the University of Bolton Stadium, making 14 league appearances and scoring three goals. 

The Welshman expressed he has adapted quickly after his move to Bolton, with the club giving him a warm welcome. 

“I’ve settled quickly. From the first day I got in here, the lads and the coaching staff have been very friendly. 

“I knew some of the lads anyway before coming up here, so I spoke to them and asked them how it was. 

“They all gave good reviews and it’s been exactly what they said. It’s a close-knit group, from the manager all the way down to the players, everyone is together. 

“It’s been really easy to settle with my family moving up as well, so I’m really enjoying it.”

Prior to his move to Bolton, Sheehan spent three years at Newport County, where he was a fans’ favourite. 

The midfielder made an impact at Rodney Parade and was an integral part of the Exiles’ side. 

Sheehan expressed that leaving Newport was a tough decision, with his time at the club highly valuable to him. 

“It was difficult because I had a brilliant time there. The fans were unbelievable with me. They were forever looking after me and the manager as well, I’m forever grateful for everything to do with Newport. 

“It just felt like it was time to move on. We didn’t get the promotion we wanted, so it just felt like it was time to take the next step in my career.”

From the ecstasy of cup runs to the agony of missing out on promotion, Sheehan’s three years at Newport were eventful.

As the 25-year-old reflects on his time with the Exiles, he has a number of fond memories. 

“Some of the best memories are the semi-finals of the play-offs. Obviously, we had the Forest Green game, which was unbelievable and against Mansfield away when we were underdogs. 

“Unfortunately, both times, losing the final was the most frustrating part of leaving Rodney Parade because I felt we should have gone up twice. 

“The FA Cup runs were unbelievable, seeing Premier League teams coming to Rodney Parade, that was special. 

“I felt that towards the end of my time there, we had a really strong squad and we should have got promoted.”

While there were hugely positive times during Sheehan’s time at Rodney Parade, there were also some difficult days. 

The Exiles agonisingly missed out on promotion to League One in play-off final defeats to Tranmere Rovers and Morecambe. 

With the club unable to reach their target of promotion during Sheehan’s time at the club, the midfielder expressed he will always reflect on his time with the club with an element of disappointment. 

“Frustration is the main feeling. I feel like we should have won both games, especially the second one. 

“With the referee’s decisions, even for both games, we had decisions go against us, but that’s football. 

“We didn’t take our chances, which is really frustrating. For the fans, I really wanted to get promoted. I wanted to leave on a high.”