[BFC SITE] Hourihane: We're always looking to improve

As the Reds gear up for a Good Friday Sky Bet League One fixture against Leyton Orient, Interim Head Coach Conor Hourihane spoke to the media about the mood in camp, the reaction to last weekend’s emphatic win over Bolton Wanderers, and the focus required heading into the final stretch of the season.

On the atmosphere in the Club this week following victory over Bolton Wanderers


Yes, there’s definitely been a positive atmosphere. Look, we were always looking for that big win - or any win, really - to get that buzz and belief in the work that everyone’s putting in around the place. I think that belief was there anyway, but obviously, you need to win a couple of games to really get that buzz going. So, this week’s been brilliant. But there’s also been a big focus on the fact that it’s just one game. We’ve got to improve, we’ve got to stay consistent - that’s been my key message this week: straight back to work. Yes, enjoy the weekend, because we hadn’t had a win for a while, but come Monday morning, it was full focus heading into Leyton Orient.

On setting a benchmark of performance last time out


Yes, that’s the level I’m looking for, and it’s what I demand from the lads. I knew they could do it - they had my full belief. I’d seen it in spells during games, but we weren’t quite getting the rub of the green in certain scenarios leading up to the Bolton match. Still, I knew it was in them, and I pushed every single day to get them to that level. Now, though, we’ve got to stay consistent, because if we drop below that, I’ll know standards and mentality are slipping. The Bolton game showed everyone the level they can reach, and now there are no excuses.

On the possibility of seeing 4-3-3 more often


I think I’ve said a few times that I want us to play with a back four and wingers - exciting football that takes the game to the opposition. That’s how I see my team playing, and I think that’s how the club and the fans want to see their team too - exciting wingers, dribbling, taking people on, all of that. For the time being, it’s definitely something I’m trying to build, even in a short space of time. You saw it in the Bolton game, and to an extent in the Birmingham game too, although that one changed quickly. So yes, it’s something I want to build on and improve, no doubt.

On needing more wins to land the role permanently


Time will tell, I suppose. I’m very much process-driven, and hopefully we’ll see a few positive results off the back of that. But right now, the focus is on turning up again this week and improving on that Bolton performance. There were still things in the game I wanted to improve, to fine-tune and get us even better. That performance was good, but it wasn’t perfect. So, honestly, it’s more about the day-to-day work, and then hopefully a few results will come in these last four games.

On any information heard around the Head Coach role


No, not necessarily. All I know is that they’ve been very happy with the work since day one. They’ve recognised that some of our performances were good, even if we were unlucky in certain moments. That’s the feedback I’ve consistently had over the last few weeks. Obviously, they were delighted with the Bolton result, but they felt that performance was on the way based on what they’d seen previously. It’s about building on that now. Like I said after the Birmingham game, it was a five-game reset - resetting how we work, what I want to do, the focus for the players, even with set plays. That’s one game ticked off, and hopefully we can put in another really good performance on Friday.

On squad updates


Maël is still serving his suspension, but he’ll be available on Monday. Max (Watters) and Benno (Josh Benson) have been out on the grass this week and are pushing to be involved. Will they make it in time? We’ll see, but they’re both very close to being back in the squad.

On Josh Earl's return from injury against Bolton Wanderers


Yeah, Josh was absolutely fine - no issues - which is a big plus for us. He was just tired towards the end, which is why we took him off with five or six minutes to go. But getting him back in the team was a big positive. I was keen to get him involved as soon as he was fit, because he’s a really clever footballer. He’s good on the ball, which fits the way I want us to play, and he takes up intelligent positions off the ball as well. So yes, it was great to have him back in the side.

On Davis Keillor-Dunn's nomination for Sky Bet League One Player of the Season


Yeah, Davo’s been brilliant this season. He’s been our most consistent performer - scoring goals, yes - but for me, it’s also about the way he led the line at the weekend, the clever positions he takes up, and most of all, the work rate. The pressing he does. I think he covered 12.5km against Bolton, which is a massive shift. He puts in so much work for the team, and then he gets his rewards because he’s smart with how he positions himself to receive the ball.

On Richie Wellens and Leyton Orient


Yeah, they’ve done brilliantly. It just shows that if you’ve got a consistent style of play and a consistent work ethic, that can beat any budget. You can overachieve and punch above your weight. They’re still in with a shot at the play-offs, and I’m a big believer that while everyone wants money to spend, it doesn’t guarantee success. Success comes from how you work, your consistency, and sticking to your playing identity week in, week out - and that’s exactly what they’ve done. Full credit to them. They’re a team that have definitely punched above their weight, and that’s something to aspire to if you don’t have a big budget like Wrexham, Birmingham, or Huddersfield.

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