[BFC SITE] Conor Hourihane ahead of Shrewsbury Town

Fixtures

• Barnsley Vs. Shrewsbury Town - Sat, Apr 26 2025, 15:00

Our Head Coach previewed Saturday's clash with the Shrews for the media.


On Martin Devaney’s departure:

The thought process is that there's a bit of a change in the club moving forward. It’s as simple as that. He's obviously been here as a player and as a coach for a long time, so we wish him all the best in his future endeavours, wherever that may be moving forward.


On a replacement:

Time will tell. There’s a big decision to make on that — a really important decision for myself. And, you know, getting someone that will bring maybe something different that I don't have is really, really important. So I'm taking my time and speaking to a lot of people on it, and a decision will be made in due course.


On the process of hiring a replacement:

I’ll just take my time on it. I’m speaking to a lot of people. With the characteristics and the positives I have, I'm looking for a certain type of person that will fit them all, that will bring maybe something different to me.

And like you said, I know it's a big decision. I know it's an important one for myself and my staff, so it's one that I'll take my time mulling over.


On key characteristics required of a replacement:

I'm probably mulling over that as well, if I'm being honest. So there's nothing really to elaborate on yet — I’m still really thinking deeply about it.

Like I said previously in a few interviews, there needs to be a change around here in terms of the football club faces — whether that's players or staff or whatever. And I think that's what the club needs.

It needs new faces, new energy, new culture, new environment a little bit — and new people will bring something different. I think that's important for the club to move forward.


On letting the players know where they stand:

They’ll know in due course. I think it's important for the players to know what's going on next year before anyone else knows.


On vision for next season:

Yeah, it’s pretty straightforward as it stands here — and how everything aligns, and how I see things. The wheels are in motion on planning.

The big thing I've always been saying to the club is for everyone to get clarity as soon as possible, so we can all move forward.


On ensuring the needed changes happen:

I hope so — that's the plan. There's a lot of conversations to be had, a lot of meetings to be had, a lot of decisions to be made.

I think this club needs to refine itself again, and I think that's from everyone in the building — in terms of staff, players, connection with the fans.

I need to bring that all together as one, because it can be very, very powerful. So that's what I'm aiming to do over the course of pre-season, heading into next season.


On certain aspects needing change:

Yeah, without a doubt. I think I noticed that pretty quickly when I first came in the building. And then obviously, since taking over as well, my mind hasn't really changed too much from that point of view.

So yeah — a lot of work needs to be done. A lot of things need to change for the better. Like I said, we may suffer short-term, but for the bigger picture, I think the decisions being made currently are the right ones.


On the budget during the summer:

I'm comfortable with the budget, if I'm being honest. I think in terms of the fans, and in terms of what they're hoping for — like "we're going to get Birmingham City money" and all that kind of stuff — it's not going to be the case.

But what I will say is that what we need to do here is get back to the environment, the energy, the culture — that hard-to-beat mentality, that high energy, that high press.

We really want to be making this place a tough place to come. With the fans on board, with the staff on board, with the team that the fans can represent and look forward to watching and having that connection — I think it's more powerful than any money, any budget.

And that's what I'm hoping to do.


On building the connection:

It takes time — and I get it takes results, it takes hard work. It takes, like I said, the players wanting to be here. I think that's a big thing.

I've mentioned already: people in the building wanting to be here. People from the outer staff enjoying coming to work — I've had that feedback as well, which is great.

Everyone's got a part to play. Bringing a real good, fresh energy, wanting to come, wanting to have success at Barnsley Football Club. I do — I want the players, I want the staff to be the same.

And like I said, that connection with the fans is really going to be important moving into next season.


On possibility of Joe Gauci playing on Saturday:

We’ll see. I’ve got a decision to make. I thought Gauci did well the other day, and Flav has done well as well. I just thought he needed a breather.

So yeah, we'll see. We've just got a decision to make on that.


On potential of a goalkeeper being a priority in the summer:

I think there's a lot of decisions to be made on that, if I'm being totally honest with you. That'll be one topic, along with many, many others — and there'll be a decision to be made on that, I think.


On importance of reigniting home form:

Yeah, I think so. I've made a big message to the players on that — that we want to finish the last game at home in a good way for the fans.

I think we've done okay in the last two home games — Bolton and Peterborough — but we want to finish on a high.

A big message to the players will be that. But the big message to them as well is that I've watched Shrewsbury over the last few days — they’re a decent side.

Just because they're relegated, it doesn't mean it's going to be an easy day. They play some good football. They did against a couple of teams that I've watched them against. It's not going to be an easy day.

I’ll make sure the lads know that, and make sure that just because they’re relegated, it doesn't mean it's going to be an easy win. It’ll be far from it.


On the motivation within the squad:

Yeah, I think it has to be there. I think that comes from within.

If I'm being honest, I can press buttons, I can prod them, I can get the work right that I put in towards the games. But ultimately, when the players cross over, it's down to their agendas, their mindset, their focus.

And I'm hoping with the work over the next couple of days, that will be the case.




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Like what he’s saying. Give Conor the tools and I reckon he’ll do well. Just a gut feeling….

 

Good to know we'll be moving forward, moving forward.

 

There's been a malaise about the club for a few years. And it's interesting that Conor has picked up on it. People jumping at the first opportunity and hardly concealing their relief. League position sort of highlights that. Hope CH gets the bit of luck he needs.

 

Inspiring read.

Too early for the "I love Conor" tattoo on my arse?

 

Ten times the word 'decision' was used.

I get the feeling he has some decisions to make.

Fair play

 

He’s very honest.

 

There are three Os in that so position it right and you can save a letter

 

Better to start a sentence with yeah rather than so.

 

Could start it Robinson Crusoe.

 

Using 'so' is commonly taught in media training to bring impact to the beginning of a spoken sentence and allow a small filler for the brain to kick in and say what you want rather than it just be awkward silence or 'errr' or 'uhmm'.

 

I don't disagree with anything he's said there.

There is an irony about needing to freshen things up given the extraordinary rate of attrition we have in just about every area of the club though.

 

Said for a while now, there’s something just not quite right at the club and it’s coming out in the games etc.
Positive for me that he’s identified it and the club have agreed to back him by allowing the changes.
Positive stuff and an interesting Summer awaits.

 

Ironically, when I listened to the interview yesterday, I actually thought he started a lot of sentences with "no", even when he was answering yes.

 

So .......
If he gets what he wants then fine, but we all know from past experience that it doesn't come about. New coaches are fed ******** when appointed and leave soon after frustrated.
At least he has been here a while to see these shenanigans and should know what's going on.
But, and so, I was always taught at school never to start a sentence with and, so or but.

 

So nobody asked him about Jalo?

 

Used to have a little now he's got a lot.

 

Implies you're unsure of your surroundings. Its self deprecating. Apart from that it was a good, positive read. Hopefully, he'll strike while the iron is hot with his demands and he has the full backing of the board. Down the line it becomes harder.

 

Love the way he talks, that’s for sure. G’on Conor lad

 

It would be very hard not to be motivated by Conor, he speaks so clearly, the hunger to succeed just pours out of him, if anyone can get us turned around and front facing its Mr Hourihane, his love for the club makes me tear up.
It won't happen overnight but if conor is calling the shots more often than not then he'll succeed over time, we need to hold our nerve and be patient but the guy is very smart and looks like he knows his own plan already.