Hourihane int chronicle

He was average when he came on. That was a decent ball, I agree there, but he also kicked a simple ball out for a throw and three times went backwards with 20 yards free space ahead of him. I’m harsher on him than some, because I know he’s miles better than this.

However, I still think it was the decision to bring him on that cost us. Why we didn’t replace Fabio with Humphrys or Lewis and retain the same shape I’ll never know.

Suppose it’s a learning exercise until the end of the season. And as I say, I’d save cash and give it Conor today.

 

For me Clarke slagged the players off after defeat to sort of direct the blame from himself. That's okay maybe after a run of poor performances etc but he did it far too often for me.

Conor has just gave his reasons for leaving 2 players out who have been poor of late, I think anyone who's watched will agree. Connell I think it's just a dip in form and we haven't seen him play like he can since Duff left. Phillips, so many on here said devante had downed tools after january but I haven't seen anyone accuse Phillips which is strange because I haven't seen stats but I bet his form has dipped massively since january.

 

We blather on about a lack of communication from the Club. The Coach communicates. We complain about him communicating with us. Bit of a ‘lose lose’ for him/the Club.

For me, we’ll done Coach. Phillips has shown a lack of discipline, he’s been punished and told to sort himself out. Seems a decent and fair approach to me.

 

That pass is all I saw of him tbf. I didn’t go and my attempt to watch it on telly was ruined by constant buffering, so I’ve only seen brief highlights.

 

Connor hinted in previous posts that discipline at the club had been slipping and he was not happy with that.... so he did something about it and has explained the reason why. It might not be in the way that some on here would like but he has at least explained his actions and why, so as to bring that message to the squad. Adam Phillips has looked disinterested and not looked at the races all season and Luca has not been the same player since his bout of glandular fever for me and himself commented on 'things happe behind the scenes'. Perhaps Clarke was not aware or willing to deal with discipline at the club but give Connor his due, he has told it as he sees it whether some players like it or not.

 

He "wants to finish the season strong."

Aye, I bet he does. I would too if I knew my agent was out there every day trying to sell me to other clubs!

I suppose at this point it might just come down to the fact that we need him to keep his value up and he needs us to play him (or at least not make it public that he's being naughty). Whatever's going on, the sooner we can get this season over with and properly survey the carnage the better.

 

Both Connell & Phillips have been bang average all year, and most of last year. Yes Phillips has bagged a few, but not always much else.

Perhaps they’ve both been spoken to on numerous occasions, including by Clarke, but they haven’t really responded - or if they have, it was only for a while.

I think CH and probably DC had basically cut them enough slack out of respect, and just got fed up of it. Sometimes you have to go public as a last resort.

Same could be said for Jalo - in what CH says about being professional, on time and also being the best he can. Perhaps there’s parts of his life where he struggles - nutrition and extra gym/fitness work etc. I think we’d all agree, that at times in the past, he’s looked a little slow, unfit and not in the best of shape you’d expect - although I totally agree everyone has different body compositions. Perhaps he has been advised before. We’ve now seen a better version under CH.

 

He's as bad as Clarke for outing players and not keeping things in house.

 

Phillips been one of the best midfielders in the league this year and hasn’t been as good as previous years. Needs the move higher. Alongside Humphreys at Wycombe and Morley at Wycombe / Bolton, probably been best central midfielder. Earned the move.

 

I totally agree but why have super Phillo on the bench if you've got no intentions of playing him.

 

I think Conor's role models are Simon Davey and Little Lee.

 

I questioned why Lewis didn't get on in Saturday's MDT. He came on in the previous game, after being out injured for a while and looked lively, in addition to scoring. I thought he'd be given at least 15-30 minutes in the last game. I know he's been written off by many, without having many minutes, but I want to see more of him.

 

We have to remember CH is still a rookie. Managed 3 games in total. Thats his career as a manager. He probably is comfortable on the training ground but he is still learning the ropes as head coach and especially how he communicates with the public and media.

Another reason why i think we got the DOF wrong. How helpful would it be now for someone to have their arm around CH shoulder, feed him advice and steer his approach a little. Maybe even step in on some communications. Someone who’s been there, seen it done it for a while.

 

He’s made comments for the press conference prior to the game, which I assume most of the players will listen or read, and openly talks about issues behind the scenes to which then a senior player turns up late, he had no other choice in dropping him and I think rightly so he went public…….it was said in a professional detailed manner. Let’s not forget, the past 8 years he’s been at the top end of the pyramid where respect, minor detail and professionalism is a must, it’s partly those 3 why a think we’ve been a total shambles this season!!

 

Agree.

Fans aren’t daft either - and may as well know the truth If it’s been going on a while…..

 

All I've seen from fans this season is how unfit and uninterested the players have looked this season.

Now we've got a head coach openly trying to make things better, some of you are now complaining that he should have kept it behind closed doors. CH really can't win, can he?!

If their standards have slipped that much, it needs calling out. If players think there's no consequences, nothing will change. It's not like their half arsed performances have been behind closed doors.. we've all had to watch them.

Honestly I'd give CH the job now and give him the chance to rebuild this team.

 

100%

 

Hourihane will bring the discipline which has been missing