[BFC SITE] Conor Hourihane Press Conference | Reading

Fixtures

• Reading Vs. Barnsley - Sat, May 03 2025, 15:00

Every word of Conor Hourihane's press conference ahead of facing Reading in the final game of the campaign this Saturday.

Final Match Fitness and Injury Update


Yeah, all okay, really. Nothing kind of new to discuss. Everyone’s kind of in the same position. The ones that we mentioned earlier on in the week that would be back training this week are back training. So, kind of where we are really in terms of everyone in the same place that we spoke about previously.

Reacting to result against Shrewsbury Town


Yeah, there was. I was really, really disappointed. It was kind of a big reality check, a slap in the face a little bit of where we kind of are. Trying to address it in the right way, as always—trying to improve and get better and analyse it, and have a post-match and try and see where we went wrong.

Obviously, look, the game is going to be completely different at the weekend. You know, obviously they sat back a little bit and we tried to break them down. This game is going to be much more open and frantic because of how they play and what the result is that they need. So from that point of view, it’s going to be a completely different game. But there’s always room to learn from every game and where we can get better.

So, yeah, look at Reading. They won’t be sitting behind the ball and we’re going to have to try and break them down. They’ll be going for it. Obviously that may change depending on how the results are going—if Leyton Orient are winning. And we’ve all been involved in last-game-of-the-season scenarios. But, yeah, I think to start the game they’ll be all guns blazing because of the result that they’ll need.

Handling High-Stakes Final Day Matches


Yeah, like you said, it’s usually the fans who kind of give you an idea of what’s going on. I was involved in one last year with Derby heading for promotion. So, you know, I’ve been involved in quite a few last days where there’s something riding on it. We had one here before, previously as well.

So, yeah, look, it’s all about us, I suppose, and how we’re going to approach it and the mindset around us. It’s not, “Can we upset the party?” It’s not about that. It’s about, “Can we just finish the season off with a good result?” It’s as simple as that. We’re not really interested in spoiling the party. We need to put in a good performance to finish the last game of the season in a good place. Because, you know, the game last Saturday for us as a club wasn’t good enough, and we all know that. Can we put a little smile on people’s faces heading into the summer?

A Positive Finish and Its Impact


Yeah, I think, look, it will linger for a couple of weeks. But ultimately, I think, we want to go out to Reading and finish on a positive. But like you said, a month down the line, six weeks down the line, when we come back for pre-season, that Reading result will be a distant memory—whatever it shapes up to be. Fingers crossed, with everything that’s going on, there’ll be much more positivity in the building in terms of where we want to go, what we want to achieve, and where we want to get the squad to.

And like you said, first game of the season in early August—we’ll hopefully be in a much stronger position. So, obviously it will hurt in the short term, but in the longer term, hopefully things will look different.

Preparing for the Summer Rebuild


Yeah, that would be the case. And look, I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been many phone calls and meetings and lots of organisation already going on. That’s the reality of football life. You’ve got to plan ahead. My big thing was, we’ve got to use this time now to plan ahead and be organised. That’s been the case. There’ve been many bits and pieces going on, so the organisation and planning won’t be starting after Reading—it’s already started. So yeah, that’s where we’re at.

Strategic Clarity and Next Steps


I think the transparency and the clarity is all good for everyone. It’s been really, really positive. It’s been really good. We’re all looking and seeing the same things. So, yeah, there’s a lot of conversations going on. I suppose at the end of it now, we need a little bit of doing rather than talking. Fingers crossed that will be the case over the coming weeks.

Contracts and Player Retention


Q: Are you planning to trigger clauses for existing players like Pines and Humphrys?
There’ll be talks with players, obviously, as always. The outcome of those conversations will be kept in-house until further notice, really.

Q: So it’s not finalised yet—whatever the plan is?
It will be finalised when I speak to the players first. It’s important that the players find out before anyone else.

Club Infrastructure and Facility Improvements


I want a little bit of change around the building. I think we’re looking for a better standard in areas of the building in general. It needs a bit of freshness, some new energy. I don’t want the players to come back in pre-season and see the same bits and pieces. A new look is needed. Again, conversations are ongoing and the club are fully supportive. Just little things to improve and make the club better moving forward.

You want it to look right. I’m big on changing things. That comes into the picture. The place you come to work needs to look fresh, new, organised. It sets the tone for people coming back in pre-season—that this is where we’re going. I’m not going to say there’ll be millions and millions spent, but you can spend a little money to put the place in a better place.

Learning from Other Clubs


Yes. The season before we went up, when we lost the playoff semi-final against Forest (with Sheffield United), there was a big murmur that this needs to get better—the training ground, the pitches. I’m in a similar area now. Obviously, Sheffield United had a different budget, but we still have some money. I’m forcing the issue. There’s been a bit of “let’s just leave it be” from people around the building, maybe. But I’m putting my foot down and saying: this needs to get better.

Jalo Update and Reading’s Resilience


Not yet—and this is genuine. After the game Saturday, you’ll probably ask me the same question and I’ll have more of an answer for you then.

Yeah, amazing. Brilliant. I really admire them—how they go about their business with the right mindset. Everyone buying in, despite turmoil at the club with owners and everything. It just shows you—when you get a good group together, it can happen no matter the circumstance.

The Challenge of Facing a Motivated Opponent


Yeah, I think so. It adds energy and atmosphere. I’m hoping we’ll bring a little bit of intensity. It’s a good stadium to play in. It’ll be a good challenge for our lads.

Assessing the Job So Far


No, not necessarily. I probably knew from my experience as a player that the club wasn’t in a great place. My opinion hasn’t changed. I want to put things in place this summer—staff changes, squad changes, building improvements. I’m really taking the lead. It’s not just about staff and players; it’s the building too.

Balancing Books and Managing the Squad


That’s football. Players come and go. I’ve had conversations already. Every club will have players leave—contracted or not. It’s no different here.

There’s a lot of dialogue going on. I’m absolutely okay with that. There are brilliant players out there to fill voids. It’s my job to put a decent squad together.

Advantages of Early Planning


It’s not the way we wanted it. The club should be pushing for a better place. But as soon as I got the job full-time, we got down to business. No time to waste. So yes, it’ll be a busy summer in all aspects. Hopefully when we come back in pre-season, we’ll be in a better place.

Offseason Fitness and Contact Time


Yes. The break is too long. There’ll be check-in days—fitness testing, running. I want some contact time. It’s important. I don’t want the first day of pre-season to be the first time I’ve seen them.

Style of Play and Tactical Vision


Yes. We’re moving with a back four and wingers. High press, high energy, win the ball high up. Exciting football—exciting wingers, exciting full-backs. That’s the way I want to go.

Changing the Feel of the Club


Q: What are you trying to achieve with the building changes beyond visuals?
Just so it doesn’t go stale. A new energy and life. Players returning shouldn’t see the same thing. The building’s just as important as anything. It shows we’re not accepting the same old stuff.

Respecting History vs. Moving Forward


Yeah, there’s a picture of me that can come down if they want to bring it down! It’s absolutely not a problem. But no, I think the history of the club stays. I think that’s massively important. I think it’s huge for the football club—the levels at the club—that the new players and the previous players, they need to see that. It’s big. It’s big for any football club, and it’s no different for this football club.

But I think, if I was being totally honest—honest with you—there’s probably players hung up around the building that, you know, probably didn’t make the big impact that I would expect of certain players. Because there’s no need for them players to be hanging up on the wall, in my opinion.

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