Martin O'Neill hates BFC according to John Dennis over the Ashley Ward transfer. Might be years ago but I don't think he's the type to let it go
You may be right, but it's not like he's picking Dwayne Mattis over Conor. Harry Arter, Glenn Whelan and James McCarthy are all Premier League midfielders, and Jeff Hendrick has made nearly 200 appearances for Derby. He'll get his chance, but it's likely to be when one is injured, or retired.
Surprised they haven't had him in a friendly squad to at least have a look at him before now though. You'd think he'd get that just for the quality of his set pieces, the amount of goals he could bring to the team, but his all round game is as good as any midfield player I've seen play for Barnsley. If I were the manager of any nation I'd want to have a look at a player that has scored as many goals and made as many assists as Conor has in the last couple of years. All from a slightly withdrawn midfield position too.
IIRC, O'Neill said he wanted Ward and for JD to let him know what was happening despite only offering £2.3 million. Discussions went on with other clubs and JD bluffed his way to £4.3 million. He didn't contact again MoN before he was sold so MoN told him he'd never do business with BFC again
Be ****ing brilliant if we had Messi to give away for hundred grand then. The gret plonk. ****ing years ago. Thought it might be to do with us not giving him the job. So threw me when ward got mentioned
Yes, I agree. Roy Keane, now assistant to Martin O'Neill, managed Conor at Sunderland, and then signed him at Ipswich, so I'm sure they're aware.
