The Leeds United youngster has barely been seen in recent weeks but he impressed when given the chance.
During pre-season, Leeds United youngster Conor Shaughnessy went from under-23 midfield prospect to breakthrough defensive star, and a new long-term contract quickly followed.
So it is somewhat surprising that, despite impressing in the EFL Cup and doing well when called upon in the league, the 21-year-old has fallen out of favour in recent months, just when Leeds arguably need him the most.
The Whites’ defence continues to disappoint, with questions asked over all three senior centre-backs and Pontus Jansson in particular looking a shadow of his former self.
With Liam Cooper and Matthew Pennington also under-performing at times, Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen would be wise to bring Shaughnessy in from the cold.
He may be young and inexperienced but that did not stop him from impressing earlier in the campaign and he did nothing wrong prior to his omission.
In contrast Jansson has come in and out of the starting XI and disappointed when he has been given the chance, while Cooper’s early resurgence has dipped and Pennington remains a sporadic performer at best.
Recent matches have shown that Leeds are unable to see games out, with the defeats against Sheffield United, Cardiff City and Brentford all containing last goals.
That inability to withstand pressure in the closing stages is directly related to Leeds’ poor defensive mindset, with too many players playing below their own usually high standards.
Shaughnessy would have been forgiven for watching the latest collapse against the Bees and wondered where his next chance is coming from.
There was no such capitulation when he was on the field, and for that reason and more besides he deserves another chance to prove himself.
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