What has changed?

I am a firm believer in education allied to intelligence. When this is built upon a good knowledge of the game from the inside having played it to a decent level, that is even better because that individual is better placed to know how to use the additional bits that he has been taught. I do not have any of this, so of course I have a deep respect for the knowledge and experience of those who have been through it, and if they are willing to share some of their knowledge, then so much the better.

If you have that knowledge and that experience, then I also have to respect for your opinion, even though it may be different to mine. If you have no experience of the game from the inside and have no coaching badges or experience of the courses, then of course your statement is just your opinion.

 

It's horses for courses int it?

 

Its a shame that tolerance for the views of others is so limited in this thread. Not that I necessarily agree with Conan but Lee Johnson called the system he tried to install earlier in the season 'technical football' so I think that's a direct quote.

I think there's perhaps an element of annoyance from the Hourihane can't play in a midfield 4 brigade that recent changes have proven them completely wrong

 

I have not questioned your views, and whether it is a direct quote from Lee Johnson or not, I do not understand the phrase "technical football".

When Lee Johnson went back to 4-4-2 with Hourihane in the centre of the midfield four he pointed out that he and his team had worked with Hourihane to improve his defensive play and his understanding of that system. He also said that Hourihane had never played the system before. Now I do not have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the careers of our players before they came to play for Barnsley, so if Johnson says that it is so, then as far as I am concerned, it is so. What I do have is the memory for how Hourihane played in that system when he first came to the club, and he was constantly caught out of position defensively. Now it is your prerogative to tell me that I am completely wrong, and I see no reason to keep arguing the point, but would point out that I am supported in my view by our last two managers.

 

Conor Hourihane league 2 team of the year 2013/14 playing central midfield...

Danny Wilson selected Conor Hourihane as a central midfielder only changing this after injury to Winnall resulted in a change to team shape. During the period CH was playing as a central midfielder under our last manager he was chosen as league 1 player of the month after scoring 6 goals in 7 games.

There's not knowing things and being selective with information to attempt to prove a point. The view of our last manager who regularly selected him as a central midfielder does not support your views.

There is no doubt that CH has improved his game particularly in terms of positioning and defensive responsibility.

I believe that Johnson was referring to Pearson not Hourihane as not playing in a midfield 4.

The views on technical football were not mine but you offered criticism based on the idea that this was a misunderstanding on Conan's part and he should 'observe more' when in fact he was merely quoting how the manager described the football he was aiming for. Again like you I do not understand the term though in context it referred to a short passing game with a fluid 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation

 

You see that is not my recollection at all. As I remember it, when we played 4 in midfield under Danny Wilson, he played with a diamond with James Bailey at the defensive point, Luke Berry right, Hourihane left and Ryan Williams at the attacking point. Wilson's troubles started when Williams returned to Fulham and our successful midfield blend fell apart as a result. In that system, Hourihane's job what not the same as in the normal version of 4-4-2 with wingers, which is what we are playing now.

Johnson made the comment referred to about both Pearson and Hourihane.

 

But as far as I can make out, Williams only actually played five games for us during his first spell? I was puzzled by the expectation we heaped upon him when he returned last summer.

 

I must confess that I was excited by the signing of Williams. When he played at the point of the diamond, he was quick, he was direct and he was inexhaustible. In short, he was key to the short term success of that system and his return to Fulham signalled a period of turmoil whilst Danny Wilson searched for a system that worked as well with other combinations of players. I do not see him as a player suited to 4-4-2 and his signing suggested that Johnson intended to play 4-5-1 or a diamond.

But that was then, and Williams has had a year of almost constant injury problems. He does not seem to be the same player. He seems fragile, unable to sprint, unable to cope with the physical demands of third tier football. His touch is poor and his shooting/passing mistimed. It is hard to recognise the same player. Of course that may be down to the long period on the side lines. It may be down to loss of confidence. Or it may be because his injury just does not feel right. It may be that he is not suited to 4-4-2. Who knows?

 

It seems strange to think that he's still only 22. I guess he has time on his side if the ability remains. And to be fair, there were periods earlier in the season when it was possible to question whether Winnall and Hourihane still had the wherewithall. No doubt a run of games might increase his confidence, but the competition in midfield is quite hot at the moment, with Scowen, Hourihane, Brownhill, Isgrove, Hammill all in the mix.