I keep saying this. I reckon up until his Wembley miss he wasn't prolific in front of goal but was decent from set pieces and had a cracking shot from distance. His overall game is really steady but since his Wembley miss his limited attacking game has all but gone. That's got to be psychological.
Could well be, we don't know what physical impact his illness has had also. Let's be honest here, if Wycombe had offered an acceptable amount he'd be off. Whether that be wages or the initial transfer offer.
What I'd like to add is any deficiencies in his game and that of the team are highlighted more due to his lack of goals.
Give up. Anyone who has ever watched Connell play knows his job is to allow others to get the goal contributions. And he's damn good at it. He's played in a midfield 3 with Phillips, Kane, and Russell, all of which have recorded excellent goal contributions over the seasons he's played. Which speaks to his quality. I get the view that he hasn't been as effective the last 18 months as he was in the first year, but the absence of direct goal contributions (or goals) is nowt to do with it.
Surprised so many are seeing the decision as he's staying. All it says to me is we haven't received an acceptable bid for him yet. If a club has a successful season, the captain usually sees their transfer fee increase.
I'm not sure that I agree with you about the certainty of his leaving, even if Wycombe had offered what you describe as "an acceptable amount". On the one hand, it's not unlikely that Connell likes being at Oakwell, and it's quite possible that he would not want to go to Wycombe, even if he were to be offered better wages than at Oakwell. Furthermore, it's also possible that Hourihane, whose opinion seems to carry more weight than that of recent head coaches, has made it clear that he sees Connell as a player that he very much wants to keep, perhaps more so than e.g. Phillips.
I do agree with this mate. At some point in transitions he has to be a 1 man midfield - hopefully the new lad from West ham will slot in nicely and offer a bit more protection and another outlet for us with his ball carrying. A team can crumble on a bad pivot.
Maybe it still doesn't prove he's staying though, and that the Wycombe deal is finally finished. Or does it ?. But if he's got the captaincy again, I'm glad that we do at least know now.
Captain or no captain mate, he might leave unfortunately. Thats just football. Much bigger clubs than us have to deal with it - look at Manchester United having to sell Ronaldo, Chelsea selling hazard, spurs selling Kane. No loyalty anymore, sadly.
Good. He's a young lad who's had some setbacks - didn't have a great year but not many did. Would've been mad if we'd have taken it from him. I do enjoy how crap our lads are yet get bids for a million quid.
It would be great if he can kick on and get back on track. I’ve decided that we are going to get promoted, Didzy and DKD to tear up the league. King Conor Reigns Supreme COYR
Conor joins Sheffield United as their next gaffer after getting us promoted with 110 points and McGoldrick becomes player manager. History repeated.
I hope Luca has the season i thought he'd have last season. I really thought it was going to be his season over his illness captain's armband go boss it sunshine. It didn't turn out that way I think the trying to turn into a goal scoring box to box type set him back a bit i just think he looked a little lost/confused by what Clarke wanted from him. Can't see that happening under Hourihane he maybe just the gaffer he needs i certainly hope so.
What you mean Conor doesn't really love our town were just a means to a end. What like his playing career when Johnson said stop flicking your hair lad and get stuck in and off he went to the prem. What you mean he will be off like a shot with a broken heart of course because he may want to come back if it goes tit's up at utd. Before anyone says he couldn't turn it down i totally agree but let's just cut the love nonsense. Mr Hourihane is driven man whose plan has worked perfectly so far and like his playing days if he fetches success to our club you won't see him for smoke
Betterment of career and love for a club aren't mutually exclusively. If I play for barnsley on 3k a week and villa came in and offered me 50k a week, you best believe id be practicing my brummie accent