[BFC SITE] Hourihane: The lads give everything back

We don't know the dynamic of the relationship between Clarke and Hourihane though do we? We don't know what influence Conor had on the team prior to Clarke's departure. He could have simply been told what to do and how to do it. Or he could have been much more influential, we just don't know.

I think something that we all know is that recruitment has been poor. I think that's moved beyond an opinion to something that is taken as read. So, yes, the results under Conor have been poor, but what he has to work with is pretty dire. We've lost quite a few players to injuries, which limits his options, and the new recruits in January are just awful, so there are no replacements. What he has to choose from is lesser than what Clarke had at times.

I just think we should give him a chance. And yes, there's sentiment in that. But what if he turns out to be just as good a coach as he was a player? He stopped playing to become a coach, so he obviously believe he has it in him. He thinks he'll be a good coach. He also thought he'd be a good player, and goodness me, what a player he was. He might turn out to be an even better coach.

Or he might not, but what he gave us as a player means he deserves the benefit of the doubt for a while doesn't it? 2016 was magical. Genuinely life affirming.

 

Maybe I'm just not one for sentiment but honestly I don't think he or anyone else deserves a job at great risk to the club just because he was a good player for us. But then I wouldn't personally have filled the club with your hassells, Delaney's and eadens of the world either for the same reason. Would be qualifications and ability only (which it may be to be fair)

 

Eyeing up Clarke's job? Are you okay?

 

My own opinion is Conor is getting the job regardless of what happens for the rest of the season

 

I'd love to know what a "crafty *** in the toilets" was. Was it a "cal" with the captain, to motivate the squad? I can't think of anything else, honestly.

I agree with the sentiment though.

 

I've got it. It's a Zuk!

 

He doesn't. But he hasn't been given one. He's been put in temporary charge.

And on the flip side of that, I don't think he deserves the criticism you're giving him either. Do you, if you really think about it?

 

For his comments on face value probably not. I think it's more that I don't believe that he was ever brought here to be a player so I've got a massive distrust of the situation

 

Blah blah blah, let's start seeing some actions on the pitch Connor lad eh?! Be nice to win a game of football sometime soon.

 

Some of the criticism of Hourihane may be over the top but I do think he’s carried himself terribly since taking over the job.

Dragging the Phillips stuff through the media & talking about standards not being good enough when he was the assistant manager is insulting people’s intelligence in my opinion. I would imagine Darrell Clarke’s pretty annoyed with him too.

It’s clear with all the guff that’s coming out of the club that there’s a plan for Hourihane to get the job next but up to now he’s looked out of his depth on & off the pitch.

Some gullible fans might swallow the standards nonsense but our fall away from the play offs was down to a terrible January transfer window & not a result of bad management & whilst he won’t admit it as I’m sure he’s doing all the arse kissing he can to get the job there’s no doubt in my mind that Hourihane knows this too.

 

I don't normally think there is such a thing as a free hit, but that's really what Conor is getting here isn't it.
Ten games to maybe show if he wants the job, and if he's good enough. And I dont think they're putting too much importance on the results.
See what sort of changes he can make compared to what we had under Clarke. And see which if any, of the players might improve their game for him.

 

This crafty?

 

Let's be honest and say things have not improved one bit since Hourihane took over and the new manager bounce did not happen in contrast to Rotherham and Bolton. Got to think to next season and ticket sales. I don't think giving CH the job is the right decision.

 

All I base it on is that there is no improvements in results - regardless of what players are available it’s about trying to achieve something with the bits you have available exactly like Clarke did before him.

I want Conor to do well for all the obvious reasons but so far it’s not is it.

 

Agree.

And as fans, we also have to accept that the coach was only 1/3 of the issue.

The recruitment and players themselves are the other 2/3 of the issue.

So we can’t expect miracles from CH. I do personally think there has been signs of improvement though, and I think tomorrow at Bolton will be the biggest opportunity for this to show. Time will tell!