I think people are been very harsh and they are forgetting the importance of confidence in sport. When you speak to a professional sports person they will always tell you it's THE most important thing and not one of the most important things. Quite often last season it was Styles making that 50 yards run back to stop someone from scoring a tap in. Blackburn game where he got back and gave us a chance in that game. Callum Styles as more in the locker than most midfielders we've had in recent years. First of all, he's the most stamina fit player we've had in there. Way ahead of Mowatt and Hourihane. He can carry the ball like Hourihane and pass the ball and move it like Mowatt could. Someone above says he doesn't know which he plays best in. Yes, he does and he isn't backwards in saying it. Central Midfield. Back end of the season he was playing with an injury. It was clear to see and something he REALLY should have said I'm not fit but.... I think the Sun has gone for a cheap pick. A good one for the search algorithm.
Last season he was one of only 2 or 3 that gave a ****. Messed about like no other. Which led to a lack of confidence in my view. His performances under Strubher (who kept picking inferior players.) When selected towards the end of season. And Val were astonishing. I wish nothing but the best for him. And still wish he would stay.
Do People forget how gash Danny Wilson was in his his first season. Excellent in his second. How poor Hoorihane was until Hammill returned.
I thought that in his first season the only reason we didn't get in the playoffs is that they changed the rules for one year
Not sure of your point. Hooriane kicked on when Hamiill came back. He was always on his arse diving and average at best, prior. As for Danny. he got more dogs abuse in his first season, as much as any player I've known.
is that a fair comparison though? we're talking about a player who's gone backwards, not players that have improved over time. I would expect him to look good again in League 1. I understand why he will want to leave. I just don't think his performances last season warrant it.
Sorry I thought you were just talking about his managerial career, I forgot about him as a player and for some reason I didn't even notice the hourihane part at all
I'm in total agreement Marc. My view, was how he was messed about that caused him to go backwards. The team were that poor I reckon he took on too much responsibility as a senior pro (lol). Which in turn affected his performances. As for Danny. He came with glowing references, and rightly so. But he was gash mate that first season. I'll stand corrected I think he got Poty (but struggling to find evidence) in his next and last season as a player. Edit Found it. Player of the year 1995.
I remember being at the Bromsgrove cup match. the abuse he got that day was ferocious. seem to remember the same at a friendly with donny rovers, but could be wrong
I'd prefer him to stay. He's young and will improve. If he goes I hope we get a decent fee, of one isn't forthcoming then personally I think he should stay, being part of a promotion chasing squad will raise his profile and fee.
Utter tripe. If Conor was so poor, it makes you wonder how on earth he won Division 1 Player Of The Month for August 2014, the start of his career with us. https://www.eurosport.com/football/hourihane-scoops-league-one-award_sto4389255/story.shtml
I thought he played better last season in the Internationals, than when he turned out for BFC, I think that shows there is ability there, when surrounded by other ability.
Those awards are often rubbish especially in L1. They are picked on moments. A viral goal, a viral piece of defending. Hourihane had major problems off the ball. He was flat-footed when defending. it was a weakness.
100% agree. I was at bromsgrove behind the goal. When Bromsgove got corners, Danny covered the near post. Definitely the worst dogs abuse of a player I've ever heard. Within such close earshot.
Of course he had weaknesses to his game, the vast majority of young players do. But he was not a poor player for Barnsley prior to the return of Adam Hammil and he was Player Of The Month. No amount of derogatory sneering can alter that, nor rewriting of history to suit a personal agenda.
One month. ? Ay all right. With all due respect. He came and looked good. His performances then tailed off. The Hammill arrival became a catalyst for him to reach his great potential. My point being Styles will recover and become a very good player in amongst a decent team. In similar fashion.
I think he was extremely weak when he first joined us because he had all the ability but didn't apply himself. I think he had believed his own hype (like so many players do) and it was going to lead to a career where he scored some brilliant goals but would never make the step up because he wasnt showing his abilities in other areas of his game. However I don't think hammill is the reason that changed. I think he himself came to the realisation that he was even better than he was showing and he knuckled down and worked on his game massively and became 10 times the player he was before that through his own hard work.
Totally disagree. If he'd been as poor as you claim, then winning that award at the beginning of his career with us simply wouldn't have happened. I have a different memory of his time with us than you do.