Conor on Sky

I don't think any of us will ever truly know the full story or intent around signing CH last summer, either from the clubs or his perspective. But I've heard enough to now fully believe that there was no malintent on either side.

BFC probably thought they'd signed a player-coach who would contribute a lot on the pitch, given his performances for Derby the year before. And of course, us fans were excited by that prospect.

CH had been doing his coaching courses throughout the year before. I think a lot of people see that as a bit of a tick box for ex-players, and it's absolutely true that they're massively fast-tracked through the system with little prospect of failure. But it's also equally true that the UEFA courses are challenging to those of a certain mindset, and it's perfectly understandable if he "caught the bug" while doing it, especially with coaching kids at the same time. From all I've heard Conor say, it sounds very much like his desire to coach overtook his desire to play very quickly.

Of course BFC could have held him to his deal and looked to get more out of him on the pitch, but if his heart wasn't in it I don't think that would have benefitted us long term. As circumstances have since proved. The fact that he made the switch to full time coach before Xmas (presumably too on a much smaller salary) shows integrity on his part.

No doubt the subsequent appointment to Head Coach is an opportunity he'd have been unlikely to get at another club, but given where we are/were I don't see that as a cross for him to bear. We sacked our coach, needed a new one, and he did enough to impress to be given the role.

Now he'll be entirely judged by what he can achieve, with very limited experience, and so far I think most of us would say he's done OK, and showing signs of potentially doing better than OK. Time will tell, but having a coach that we all *want* to get behind is something worth celebrating itself, cos usually there's a proportion of the fan base that are desperate for a coach to fail the moment they step through the door, on the basis that they weren't the ones they wanted picking.

 

It isn't just clubs of our size mate. Luis Suarez left Liverpool for Barcelona after almost winning them their first ever premier league. Manchester United lost Ronaldo to Real Madrid. 99.9% of clubs are selling clubs/stepping stones, we just need to be better at getting the correct money and spending it wisely.

I know SuperTyke has had issues with Conor since he retired, calling him a liar and questioning his integrity - and I can see why he thinks that way, but in my opinion, it feels like he was caught in two minds. When he says there wasn't much hunger in getting fit & firing, I interpret that as when the time came to actually doing it, he realised it was time to step away and focus more on coaching, and we had already given him an opportunity and I believe so far he's grasped it with both hands. I'd rather him have stepped down as a player (even if it didnt lead him to becoming our manager) if he realised the hunger or desire just wasn't there anymore.

 

I get you, it's just that our whole model of 'saleable assets' means we're that much less able to get attached for long.

Spurs had Harry Kane for a decade but we had Stones for a fleeting few months.

 

We need saleable assests - we haven't got the income streams that Premier League Clubs have. Some of the money these clubs make is eye watering. Went in the Liverpool club shop the day after the kit release - it was like January sales at next.

 

Exactly. From that interview: "I'm very fond of the football club"

Which is fair enough, I think, and similar to how it was when he was with us as a player IIRC. He's not blowing smoke up our arses, he likes the club, but that's as far as it goes and there's no reason really why anyone should expect any more. He's ambitious, and we're unlikely to be able to match that ambition if it turns out to be warranted by his ability, so he's not saying anything with which anyone could take issue later if things go well for him and he moves on to a bigger job. He's not daft, our Conor.

 

Hourihane is here for Hourihane. Simple as that. He'll take the praise, he'll allow his playing history with us to be leaned on. He gets an offer to coach a championship side, he'll be offskis. If we finish mid table, the moment it looks like we'll be missing the playoffs, he'll be sacked.

Football really is s**t.

 

I'm happy to have Hourihane as our manager, but I can't help but be disappointed that he re-signed as a player with much fanfare and presumably on a decent salary only to conclude he couldn't be arsed. A fit Hourihane in our team last year would have made a meaningful difference, to fan engagement and enthusiasm if nothing else.

 

I honestly think there's a huge difference not being arsed/lazy than losing motivation and hunger mate

 

Agree, doesn't read great for him - especially for someone that talks a lot about hard work, training hard etc. It would have been more interesting had he talked about the other talented players in the squad and not wanting to take game time from them / not being at his best, that sort of thing.

Can't help but love him at the moment though. He does have better players to work with this year, no doubt - but he's also switched the formation and clearly had an effect on how we approach games from the mentality side. All brilliant but I also agree, I can't see him remaining with us if a Championship club comes knocking.

 

It turns out it happens.



I do think Conor was a bit too honest for his own good though. I think he just automatically answered the question with the real answer but he could have phrased it a bit more cleverly.

 

I don't take it as he couldn't be arsed
More that he wants to give 100% and felt he couldn't do both and had more fire and enthusiasm for the coaching side. He's certainly been putting in the hours, I know that for a fact.

 

The Connor doubters came in their droves, don't like him, inexperienced, finish bottom of league. I could tell he was the man when he stamped his authority on players with attitudes. So I've backed Barnsley for promotion even before the league started. UTR.

 

He comes across as single minded, winner. It's a familiar environment for his first management gig. He enjoyed his time here as a player and wants to see where his career goes. It also comes across that he would like Barnsley F.C to come along his journey as far as it can in line with his ambition. Nothing wrong with that. No silly promises or sugar coated clap trap.

Just hope when he does go on to better things. Barnsley F.C is all the better for it. Both on the field and financially.

 

Never bet on Barnsley! I know who to blame if we don't go up this season!