Is it the right time to give Connor the reins or would you pair him with another manager someone like Paul Warne for example for him to gain further experience.?
The latter for me but if Conor feels he’s ready and can convince the board then so be it. To date, apart from Saturday, he’s been unconvincing but maybe he’s turned the tanker around??
Saturday was great. Deserves the next 4 games to see if we can build on that or not. If they maintain that level of performance from now until end of the season then why not give it him. He loves the club, we love Conor and the players seem to like him etc. I would prefer someone with more experience, but that's as good of a performance I've seen at Oakwell since Stendel left. Fast paced, energetic and with desire etc. plus we used a back 4 with wingers. Too early to give it him just off one good game though, although there has been improvements in the games I have watched since he took over (admittedly I haven't seen them all)
I don't think it matters who gets the job. Its all about the recruitment in the off season. Hourihane will do a decent job if he's backed properly. If he isn't he'll fail just like Collins and Clarke.
Let's see how he does for the remaining games. We're not going to appoint someone before the end of the season so we have the luxury of time to assess the caretaker head coach. Let's use it. But if it's felt he's ready then give him the job and him alone. We already have a sporting director and a ceo who are supposed to support, let's not create yet another position. Whether those in support are up to it is another question, but we don't need more staff.
Didn’t Neerav allude to having a couple of high quality managers apply after Clarke had been sacked? Said they would continue being paid by their clubs until their contracts were up in the summer? I don’t know who they are but surely we have to give them serious consideration if they are genuinely interested. I’m a bit hesitant to give it to a rookie manager, especially as they are first in the firing line if things aren’t going well. For every Danny Wilson there’s a John Hendrie.
If Connor does OK in these last 4 games. Then that will be with the help of the coaching staff we have at present. They should all follow the line of the head coach. He's already made Harban his sidekick. If he wants help from outside the club. Then give it him. His choice.
There is no way Paul Warne would come here, he will get much better offers, and goodness knows how much he was paid in his previous job. I would give it to Conor, and thought that when he first got the job. He cares about the club and fans, and has shown he will drop players if needs be. He has also played the academy lads which has got to be a good thing. Get him signed up now before someone else nabs him. The alternative with this clueless crew will be someone who has managed Norway under 8s and no clue of the English game.
I'd be very happy with that outcome, Conor certainly putting the hard work in, seems to have got the respect from the players, I just fear its too soon and if he isn't backed he'll be sacrificed, but equally now he's had a taste he may not want to hang around as a number 2.
Danny Wilson was a novice as was Andy Ritchie. Who had heard of Daniel Stendel? Hourihane is a bit of a punt but Wilson was average in his first season. Conor may need more than one year, but given the dire state of the club's finances, will anyone be given more than twelve months?
It’s still a no from me we need a clean sweep, he’s a few games left to prove himself but really what will that tell us ? Bolton were probably the worst team I’ve seen barring Crawley and Rotherham so I’m not getting carried away.
As you all know, I wanted him in charge from the moment the role became available. I shared my long-winded reasoning too. And a month or so later, I’ve seen nothing to change my opinion. But I accept he probably needs one or two performances more, similar to Saturday. It was a real joy to watch them. But was it a one-off, an anomaly? Whoever they appoint in the summer should be given more autonomy and genuine time to build something. That’s all I ask on this particular front. Give them space, freedom. No talk of playoffs, no reference to a top four squad, no drivel regards a set style and system. Keep your noses out and let the actual football staff do their jobs.