Conor Hourihane

[elatedscum]

Starts in the Premier League, getting a goal and an assist while he's at it, get's called up by his country, sees his team win 7-2 against the league champions, all before picking up his weekly £30,000 paycheque.

I don't know about you, but I've had worse weeks, personally...

Made me laugh

[backstothewall]

Has anyone checked if Ollie Watkins has an Irish granny?

[seanfhear]

Starts in the Premier League, getting a goal and an assist while he's at it, get's called up by his country, sees his team win 7-2 against the league champions, all before picking up his weekly £30,000 paycheque.

I don't know about you, but I've had worse weeks, personally...Where did it all go wrong ? ?

[Eirambler]

I'm sure there aren't many bad weeks as a Premier League footballer however, as I said, it was a bad week to lose his place in the team with Villa scoring 7 without him. Realistically as long as Grealish, McGinn and Barkley are available to Villa he won't be a first team regular starter, which he had been set to be this coming season,up until this week.

[Olé Olé]

I can see your point but I just don't think he had been set for that. It was inevitable that they would add to their squad and if you're Dean Smith adding to your squad then it's difficult not to improve on Hourihane. I couldn't see him as being a first choice or undisputed regular (he wasn't really that last season). Filling in for Barkley and McGinn when they're injured or suspended or rested (as will be more common this season) is not a bad position for Hourihane. And he'll serve a purpose against teams that sit deep.

[swinfordfc]

Next summer his contract is up at villa but I would like to sign him for another 2 years with villa - maybe not as a starter but he's a great back up and coming into games with his set plays

[Eirambler]

I don't always subscribe to this conclusion of "club signs player, Irish player in jeopardy" which I think we are very prone to doing as Irish supporters.

Villa played 4-3-3 their last game out. Jack Grealish played as part of the front three. Last season did he not tend to play on the left of the middle three? Interesting timing for him to move there on the back of a) Gareth Southgate stating he doesn't fit into his team b) him getting his England debut and c) him signing a long term deal.

If this signing is being made to accommodate Grealish moving further forward then Hourihane is in the exact same position as last year i.e. himself, Luiz, McGinn and one more challenging for three spots. However, it is now slightly easier for him given that Grealish isn't there as nailed on for one of the berths.

I do think that Hourihane has goodwill in the bank and it is clear that he contributes enough to warrant racking up at least 20 league starts.

All in all, Barkley is a different type of player (more similar to McGinn?) and might reduce Hourihane's appearances but there are mitigating circumstances. I think he'll be fine. He's come good with an assist and/or a goal most of the times he has needed to.

Hourihane an unused sub again tonight, only 89 minutes of game time across 2 matches (both defeats) for him since the transfer window closed. I wonder if he'll be linked with any moves in January, he doesn't really seem to be in the first team plans at Villa now.

[Exgrad]

He's not good enough to get into that Villa side, who have moved on significantly since last season. Bar injuries he wont be getting many minutes there.

[seanfhear]

Will Grealish be going to Man Utd ? I suppose Villa would get a lot of dough to replace Grealish if he does. Will Grealish behave himself if he does get such a move ?

[John83]

It's telling that Villa were cannon fodder last year and Hourihane was a regular, and he can't get a sniff now that they're playing well.


Will Grealish behave himself if he does get such a move ?
Do we care? He's not our player. If he moves on and Hourihane gets more game-time, that's a win for us.

[seanfhear]

It's telling that Villa were cannon fodder last year and Hourihane was a regular, and he can't get a sniff now that they're playing well.


Do we care? He's not our player. If he moves on and Hourihane gets more game-time, that's a win for us.
As your post kinda says Hourihane is not really Premiership standard. Villa would probably but better with the Grealish Money if he does leave Villa.

[John83]

They'll try. Transfers don't always work out. Hourihane might do well to move on anyway, if the opportunity presents itself.

[seanfhear]

They'll try. Transfers don't always work out. Hourihane might do well to move on anyway, if the opportunity presents itself.
He’d be better playing regularly in the Championship if he could get such a transfer. I wish the Fellow well.

[tetsujin1979]

It was Bruce who signed him for Villa, wonder if he would have any interest in taking him to Newcastle?

[ColourfulPeanut]

It was Bruce who signed him for Villa, wonder if he would have any interest in taking him to Newcastle?
As a Newcastle fan, please no. We've suffered enough under Bruce as it is. Hourihane is not better than Shelvey, Hayden, Hendrick or the Longstaffs and is older than all of them.

[Eirambler]

I don't think there will be a Premier League move available to Conor. He has done well to make it to this level though and get a season as a sort of first team regular with Villa last season. I'd imagine there would be championship interest or, if he doesn't fancy dropping back down, there would be clubs outside the UK that would go for a player with his experience also.

[seanfhear]

I don't think there will be a Premier League move available to Conor. He has done well to make it to this level though and get a season as a sort of first team regular with Villa last season. I'd imagine there would be championship interest or, if he doesn't fancy dropping back down, there would be clubs outside the UK that would go for a player with his experience also.
The Lad has worked hard to get where he has and probably has got as much out of the ability he has ~ Fair dues to him.

[Eirambler]

Looks likely to go out on loan this month. Swansea mentioned but other clubs apparently keen as well. While he falls short at Premier League level I could understand why a lot of Championship teams might be interested in him. Presumably Villa would see a loan as putting him in the shop window for a permanent transfer in the summer.

[Olé Olé]

The Athletic are saying that Bournemouth are in for Hourihane- initially on loan until the end of the season but there may be an option of a permanent deal depending on promotion. The same article credits Swansea and Watford with an interest in him too. It appears that Bournemouth are leading the race though as they "have shown a serious interest" and "now hope to finalise a switch."

[nigel-harps1954]

Bournemouth also signing Jack Wilshere. Not sure the two of them fit in the same side.

[seanfhear]

Bournemouth also signing Jack Wilshere. Not sure the two of them fit in the same side.
Would Jack be signing to play or just to fill the role of injured payer ?

[backstothewall]

He's gone to Swansea on loan for the rest of the season.

He'll do well there.

[Olé Olé]

Goal on the league debut for Hourihane to open the scoring for Swansea. He's a good championship player.

[samhaydenjr]

Screamer from outside the box for Hourihane tonight - that's three in three for him - I think he's found his level:
https://youtu.be/s05_9BQsm30?t=115

[Olé Olé]

Screamer from outside the box for Hourihane tonight - that's three in three for him - I think he's found his level:
https://youtu.be/s05_9BQsm30?t=115

Yeah, I think saying that he has found his level is probably fair overall. I definitely think that he could be of use to a Premiership side like he was for Villa last season but the risk is that, at 30, he doesn't get regular games wherever he goes.

That was a big result for Swansea. A six pointer. They can now take the lead in the table from Norwich if they win their game in hand.

Wouldn't be surprised then if they held onto Hourihane if they did get into the Premiership next season.

[Trequartista20]

I thought he was out of contract in the summer and the likes of Swansea would be able to pick him up on a free, but it says in the article linked below that it doesn't expire until summer 2022.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-hourihane-swansea-19767639

[tetsujin1979]

It's a good goal, but he had the freedom of the park to take that shot. If you leave an attacking midfielder, with a reputation for scoring from distance, on his own with a clear sight of goal, what do you think will happen?

[Razors left peg]

Hes doing annoying well since going to Swansea. He had a swagger about him against Norwich that I've never seen in him in a green shirt. I say annoying well because he will most likely be picked for Serbia off the back of this form and he will most likely go missing in that game as usual.

[Eirambler]

Hes doing annoying well since going to Swansea. He had a swagger about him against Norwich that I've never seen in him in a green shirt. I say annoying well because he will most likely be picked for Serbia off the back of this form and he will most likely go missing in that game as usual.

This is my fear as well. We know he can do the things he has been doing for Swansea in the last few weeks, he has always had that in his locker. The problem is that at international level he hasn't been able to find the space on the field to make those contributions and otherwise he has been the equivalent of bring a man down.

We have been overrun in midfield repeatedly in the last three years to the point that I would happily sacrifice the one off abilities of Hourihane, which he rarely produces in an Ireland shirt anyway, for a hard working box to box midfielder who is less creative but can win us the midfield battle and control of the play.

To be fair to Mick we didn't have a realistic alternative to Hourihane during his time in charge (unless possibly Browne) but we have Molumby and Knight emerging now, who are both also excelling at the same level as Hourihane is and are 10 years or so younger and already have a better all round game. I would still want to see at least one of those two starting in March, but I fear it will be Hendrick and Hourihane yet again.

[Trequartista20]

We need to play two holding midfielders against Serbia; probably two of Cullen/McCarthy/Molumby. We're far too easy to get at right now.

Hourihane should probably be considered a McLoughlin-type option from the bench if we need a goal. He's an extremely good striker of the ball and taker of set-pieces.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Just out of Serbia match and maybe the triple header , heavy injury in the bad timing welsh derby it seems

[Demesne Lad]

Conor's contract with Villa expires this summer. He doesn't expect to play for Villa again (Birmingham Live, 29 Dec).

[John83]

Conor Hourihane confirms Aston Villa exit
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0610/1304180-conor-hourihane-confirms-aston-villa-exit/

[pineapple stu]

Having a medical with Derby (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40911005.html)

Always disappointing to see any player drop a level. I know we're stuck in centre-mid but unless he has a storming season for them, it might be an excuse to quietly drop him from the squad. I don't think he's as bad as some make out, but he probably doesn't add enough overall.

Certainly a squad position that's now ripe for one of the younger players to make a claim for

[mark12345]

Wasn't too long ago when I had high hopes for CH. His career has been on a serious downward spiral since

[Diggs246]

Wasn't too long ago when I had high hopes for CH. His career has been on a serious downward spiral since

He's sh*t player
He should have been arrested after the Slovakian game

[irishfan86]

I find it really strange that he went from being so effective with Swansea last year, to once again reverting to the mediocrity we've generally been used to from him in a green jersey. Is it a psychological thing? Something else in his life? A player I've never understood.

All of that said, it seem bizarre no team in the Championship would take a punt on him given his set piece ability.

[Trequartista20]

Move to Derby confirmed.


https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2022/07/hourihane-next-through-the-door-as-rams-land-international-midfielder

[Razors left peg]

I find it really strange that he went from being so effective with Swansea last year, to once again reverting to the mediocrity we've generally been used to from him in a green jersey. Is it a psychological thing? Something else in his life? A player I've never understood.

All of that said, it seem bizarre no team in the Championship would take a punt on him given his set piece ability.

His set piece ability is massively over rated... I would go as far as to say hes crap at set pieces. Hes so inconsistent with them.

L1 is more his level at this stage, and he'll even struggle there if he continues to stroll around the place like any game Ive seen him play in last couple of years.

Im obviously not Hourihanes biggest fan by a long way

[tetsujin1979]

He was good there for Barnsley but that was six years ago, hard to know what he'll be like in a team that's being rebuilt over the summer, and still hasn't appointed a permanent manager

[Eminence Grise]

His set piece ability is massively over rated... I would go as far as to say hes crap at set pieces. Hes so inconsistent with them.

L1 is more his level at this stage, and he'll even struggle there if he continues to stroll around the place like any game Ive seen him play in last couple of years.

Im obviously not Hourihanes biggest fan by a long way

You hid it well...;)

[Demesne Lad]

Hourihane (33) has made 87 appearances since signing for Derby last summer, scoring 12 goals and providing 17 assists so far. His contract at Pride Park expires in the summer and "there are no indications thus far of a renewal or the player’s intentions". However, with an eye to life after retirement as a player, Hourihane has been completing coaching badges over the last four years.

https://the72.co.uk/2024/02/14/derby-county-skipper-opens-up-on-future-coaching-plan/

[pineapple stu]

Released by Derby, slightly surprisingly after playing 41 league games this season. But I guess they're the kind of club who could make a bit of a push at the Championship playoffs next season, so maybe have to be pragmatic about who has the legs for the step up

[yurt]

He should get another club in League 1 if he wants one.

I wonder if he's inclined to come back to the LOI in order to finish his playing days and kickoff his coaching ones.

He would definitely strengthen the likes of Shels and Rovers if they could convince him to come back to Ireland.

[Razors left peg]

He should get another club in League 1 if he wants one.

I wonder if he's inclined to come back to the LOI in order to finish his playing days and kickoff his coaching ones.

He would definitely strengthen the likes of Shels and Rovers if they could convince him to come back to Ireland.

I was never Hourihane biggest fan, but if he came into the LOI even now he'd instantly be the best player in the league by a distance

[JR89]

I was never Hourihane biggest fan, but if he came into the LOI even now he'd instantly be the best player in the league by a distance

Easily.

Started 32 of the 41 league games and captained Derby to second place in the league. He ain't going nowhere near the LOI. Can see Wrexham sounding him out.

[Razors left peg]

Easily.

Started 32 of the 41 league games and captained Derby to second place in the league. He ain't going nowhere near the LOI. Can see Wrexham sounding him out.

Wrexham a great shout actually

[Eirambler]

Some talk of him going back to Barnsley in a player/coach role I think.

[JR89]

Forgot about him being at Barnsley. The three relegated clubs would likely fancy him too. Thought he would have ended up abroad somewhere like the MLS before he signed for Derby.

[JR89]

Has rejoined Barnsley as a player/coach?