Conor Hourihane - thanks and farewell

[CpF]

Just been watching his playoffs goal at VP on loop. It's up there with McGinn v S Wed for beauty. The way he stands there waving his arms for the ball for what seems like fully five seconds while Grealish draws the play to the right and feeds the perfect, perfect pass just when you think he's forgotten to look up. Hourihane's runup isn't the most convincing, so for a moment it's a surprise when the ball takes off straight for the back of the net like a rocket-propelled grenade. Pornographeh.

[Hookeysmith]

I watched the entire game again and have to say I thought Conor could have been close to MOM. He was aggressive in the tackle precise in his passing, including the sublime 1st time ball out wide for the first goal, and kept Wilson very quiet.

I think the pram will really suit his game and he willgeta good few free kick opportunities to boot.

Love him

[Clampy]

I think the pram will really suit his game and he willgeta good few free kick opportunities to boot.

McGinn is great but you can't expect him to push Conor round the pitch as well.

[Hookeysmith]

I think the pram will really suit his game and he willgeta good few free kick opportunities to boot.

McGinn is great but you can't expect him to push Conor round the pitch as well.

Bugger.

Fat fingers on stupid phone

[purpletrousers]

He might well be the one to christen Villa Park with the first Premier League worldie in a while.

[Matt Collins]

I was never a hater but I was very sceptical about how overall game

I think i was wrong though. His performance levels have really improved under Smith.

Whether he can regularly play as the DM in the prem is open to debate still

[ChicagoLion]

I was never a hater but I was very sceptical about how overall game

I think i was wrong though. His performance levels have really improved under Smith.

Whether he can regularly play as the DM in the prem is open to debate still

No debate from me, he can’t.

[cdbearsfan]

He's definitely improved, and is always capable of setting one up or smashing one in. He was, undoubtedly one of the key men in our promotion push.

Doo doo doo doo doo doo...

[Ad@m]

I was never a hater but I was very sceptical about how overall game

I think i was wrong though. His performance levels have really improved under Smith.

Whether he can regularly play as the DM in the prem is open to debate still

No debate from me, he can’t.

Agreed. I think he can make it as a Premier League player, but not as a defensive midfielder.

[brontebilly]

Credit where it’s due, he has played well during the run in and contributed in the play offs.
I can’t forget how poor he was for many g Ames this season and particularly during the time Jack was out.

Same could be said for nearly all our players, El Ghazi was rubbish then too. Hourihane has shown a fair degree of character to bounce back from being booed off v West Brom at Villa Park. Was one of our better players in the playoffs.

[Clark W Griswold]

It's questionable whether Hourahane or El Ghazi will have much impact in the PL but I think they've earned the right to have a go and I'll be happy to see them try.

[ChicagoLion]

It's questionable whether Hourahane or El Ghazi will have much impact in the PL but I think they've earned the right to have a go and I'll be happy to see them try.

Agree, the question was Hourihane as DM and that would not work.
I think he will be useful as an impact player.

[adrenachrome]

Based on his comments since he arived, DS rates him quite highly.

[rougegorge]

Based on his comments since he arived, DS rates him quite highly.

Certainly more highly than many on this thread thought of him. Scrolling back through this thread reminded me just how much stick he was getting (around p 78) so hats off to him.

[SoccerHQ]

Squad player in the premier league. His shooting and general dead ball kicks are premier league quality, it's just letting midfielders drift off him that might be an issue.

Would be very surprised if he's starting in August.