Is this like deadline day, do we have a Conor countdown, is his window slamming shut at 11 or midnight, can we still do a Conor contract after today as he's a free agent?
I'm sure this has already been said. But what's the big fuss about him re-signing. I'd rather us build a team that Clarke wants (I suppose he might be on Clarke's wanted list?) but I can't see it.
I'm pretty sure I've read that Clarke likes experience in his teams (to the extent that I'm very interested as to what promises he's got out of the board), and they don't come more experienced at this level than CH. He also seems to like the club, and has obviously stuck around to some extent. I'll be the first to admit that it's pretty weak overall as a justification, but it would make me extremely happy!
I'm with you. However, why wouldn't Clarke want an ex-red who was and still is loved by all at the club, one who captained a side to promotion from this very league last season, a player with undoubted quality, the ability to get in the refs ear and someone who has played at in what is arguably the best league in the world. Not to mention the fact that he's a consummate professional who'd unquestionably bring on our younger players by leading by example. Apart from that, I've no idea why he'd want him
Let's say Clarke is happy to have him join the side and then work from that. He's got a wealth of experience at this level and above. It adds a level of confidence to the fan base that have asked for experience to be recruited, his knowledge that can be imparted to other lads around him and on the training pitch. His involvement within a midfield 3 would allow Connell and Phillips to get further forward, he might be older now and slowed down from what we used to know but still can run circles around many in this league, we've seen what Phillips can get on the end of when getting forward, having hourihane ping balls up to him and strikers like Cosgrove is the type of services we've been missing and he'll spot those runs that okeeffe sets off on and won't send passes too far behind or ahead of him. The fact the last team he was at he was club captain and gained promotion, playing over 3000 minutes that season in all comps 6 goals and 9 assists (5 + 8 in the league) those numbers at defensive midfielder at 33 in this league would be invaluable to us. Recruitment standpoint, having the chance to play alongside someone of that calibre for lads that came through the ranks of villa, Swansea, Blades during his time there or ROI national team, even Derby's academy that might not have been renewed. Then the rest is just personal opinion on him, a lot of fans like him, it's something to get excited about and an excited oakwell is only a good thing. For me if we've got ex players wanting to return then it's kind of a look in to asking the question "have those above changed?" They will have changed the "only youth" policy, they will have had to change an aspect of the wage policy, they will have seemingly listened to fans voices on hiring proven league 1 quality and shown in some way they intend to back the gaffer.
The Derby team trip to Vegas was over 3 weeks ago now (judging by a picture of Eihran Cashin's Instagram account), so he's back unless he's gone on another holiday with his family, which of course is entirely plausible.
It seems not. I would love Conor to return, for many of the reasons listed above; but he has played for eight teams in his career, so there are no guarantees nostalgia will be enough to overcome a compelling role/wage offer.
Personally I don’t give a monkeys about him being an ex-red but think his signing would be very good for all the reasons set out by @MikeyD87.