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Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: Chris Black come back on June 27, 2025, 09:17:13 pm

Title: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Chris Black come back on June 27, 2025, 09:17:13 pm
Signed on loan. Massive centre back from Blackburn Rovers.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Nudga on June 27, 2025, 09:20:38 pm
Someone needs to check on Selby immediately.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Danmckay456 on June 27, 2025, 09:23:34 pm
We’ve got a  Keeler !
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: The Dav on June 27, 2025, 09:27:54 pm
https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/june/27/connor-secures-donny-switch/
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: turnbull for england on June 27, 2025, 09:35:24 pm
Seems a quality addition, some real intent shown here, we aren't just making the numbers up
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: NickDRFC on June 27, 2025, 09:39:05 pm
Another Irish U21 centre half, possibly played alongside Grehan at international level in the past. Don’t know much about him other than he’s played most of his football at Crewe.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: drfchound on June 27, 2025, 09:49:31 pm
Seems a quality addition, some real intent shown here, we aren't just making the numbers up

I know it feels like a long shot when I look at the other clubs we are going to have to compete with, but yesterday I backed us for promotion.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 27, 2025, 09:55:13 pm
Interesting one. Was awful for Crewe last season.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: jm291 on June 27, 2025, 09:59:27 pm
Two big risks with the Irish centre backs we’ve signed. Keeping fingers crossed Pearson and Jay form a solid partnership
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: RoversInSpain on June 27, 2025, 10:04:35 pm
Interesting one. Was awful for Crewe last season.
…that’s a big gap between your description and Grant’s ‘exceptional for Crewe’ statement.
Do elaborate… is he a real duffer?
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 27, 2025, 10:11:51 pm
Two big risks with the Irish centre backs we’ve signed. Keeping fingers crossed Pearson and Jay form a solid partnership


Having three centre halves unproven at the level and one who is, without doubt, not the player he was a couple of years ago, is a risk.

I’m not saying they are bad players or not capable of playing at the level, but I’d have liked to see at least one at a more “prime” 25/26yo. Pearson gets injured early and we could be in bother.


I thing Bailey could end up playing a part at centre half even though I know that’s not the plan.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: big fat yorkshire pudding on June 27, 2025, 10:19:15 pm
I do agree, 3 young centre halves feels a bit risky to me.  Let's see how good they are at this level. Crewe fans seem to rate this lad and I rate McGrath.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 27, 2025, 10:19:50 pm
Interesting one. Was awful for Crewe last season.
…that’s a big gap between your description and Grant’s ‘exceptional for Crewe’ statement.
Do elaborate… is he a real duffer?


Opinions I suppose. He’s young, certainly possible he comes on for another season under his belt.


I’ve always seen him as a bit of a player that could trap you into thinking he’s better than what he is. Tall, moves well, ok on the ball, goal threat, BUT is he a great defender? I don’t think he is. Potentially coming in as 4th choice cover though so…
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 27, 2025, 10:21:03 pm
I do agree, 3 young centre halves feels a bit risky to me.  Let's see how good they are at this level. Crewe fans seem to rate this lad and I rate McGrath.

All the young lads have the potential to step up, just a lot getting the balance of risk right.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: MachoMadness on June 27, 2025, 10:21:37 pm
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 27, 2025, 10:27:26 pm
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Spilsby Red on June 27, 2025, 10:31:32 pm
Let’s trust Grant. I feel we are going for a back 3. Maxwell and Sterry attacking fullbacks
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: turnbull for england on June 27, 2025, 10:34:12 pm
We never signed Phil Stant
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Drover on June 27, 2025, 10:48:32 pm
Owolu and McGrath both improved under Grant in my eyes,no reason these new lads won't do the same
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Silkscarf on June 27, 2025, 10:52:07 pm
Anybody else immediately think of Don O’Riordan? 2 games on loan in 1978 it seems.



Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Drover on June 27, 2025, 10:56:09 pm
Seems a quality addition, some real intent shown here, we aren't just making the numbers up

I know it feels like a long shot when I look at the other clubs we are going to have to compete with, but yesterday I backed us for promotion.

Me too,yesterday I backed us e/w to win title and goner see best price I can find for reaching play-offs next
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: StocksArmy on June 27, 2025, 10:58:22 pm
I do find it interesting when a young player signs for us and instantly is deemed as a risky signing for previous performances at a club who showed no ambition to build on their play off final loss in the previous term and therefore, resulting in them finishing in a bang average league position last season. Now I’m not saying he will be a superstar but I do remember Billy Sharp being sh!t for Sheff Utd before SOD got his hands on him, Adelakun/ Street being sh!t before GM got his hands on them etc. If we had signed a 30 year old journeyman I would understand the doubt.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Dutch Uncle on June 27, 2025, 11:00:36 pm
We never signed Phil Stant

But we did sign Les Chappell who always scored against us

Oh, and we signed Alford and Justin Jackson :blush:
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: sedwardsdrfc on June 27, 2025, 11:07:00 pm
Two big risks with the Irish centre backs we’ve signed. Keeping fingers crossed Pearson and Jay form a solid partnership


Having three centre halves unproven at the level and one who is, without doubt, not the player he was a couple of years ago, is a risk.

I’m not saying they are bad players or not capable of playing at the level, but I’d have liked to see at least one at a more “prime” 25/26yo. Pearson gets injured early and we could be in bother.


I thing Bailey could end up playing a part at centre half even though I know that’s not the plan.

Bailey is still probably our best centre half from the games I’ve seen. Midfield works better when he’s not in it too.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: BobG on June 27, 2025, 11:07:39 pm
I was one of the few who saw Les Chappell score the winner FOR the Rovers - at Elm Park!!

BobG
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Pancho Regan on June 27, 2025, 11:29:23 pm
Interesting one. Was awful for Crewe last season.
…that’s a big gap between your description and Grant’s ‘exceptional for Crewe’ statement.
Do elaborate… is he a real duffer?

Yeah it’s a tough one isn’t it RoversInSpain?

Trust our manager Grant McCann, or GazLaz?

I won’t sleep now with worrying.

Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Metalmicky on June 27, 2025, 11:36:37 pm
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

I agree - scoring against us several times surely signifies a risky signing......run away time
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Draytonian III on June 28, 2025, 06:21:50 am
We never signed Phil Stant



He seemed to get a transfer every season and his first game or so for his new club was always at Belle Vue
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Usher wide. on June 28, 2025, 09:43:59 am
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: BobG on June 28, 2025, 09:56:16 am
Usher - why are you so bitter these days?

BobG
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 28, 2025, 09:58:08 am
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.


There was a time when posters got banned for less than this.

You really are hilarious. Not sure I’ve ever said I know more than anyone!?
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: welloffside on June 28, 2025, 10:07:03 am
'signing players that play well against us'

I remember a story (years ago) when the fabled Anfield 'boot room' used to do just that. After a match, in the changing room as they were clearing up, they would casually ask the players about the opposition. Comments from a full back like " Johnny Smith's a bloody handful to mark, and boy, is he fast" etc would quietly be noted. Bearing in mind they didn't have the television replays  that we have now, and the facility to film and re-watch over and over again.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Jonathan on June 28, 2025, 10:21:57 am
I’ll be honest, when we sign a player Gaz’ is one of the first views I look for. Stats may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he’s clearly well read and informed and I respect the insight.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: ForsolongaRover on June 28, 2025, 10:32:14 am
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.


I wonder if there are any statistics which support the suggestion that such a “trap” exists…

The judgement of a manager who only signed players who performed badly against his team would certainly be questioned. I can think of a lot of very good players who have played well against us too who it would have been very sensible to sign; indeed I expect that there will be quite a few that we have successfully signed.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: turnbull for england on June 28, 2025, 10:48:15 am
Quote from: ForsolongaRover link=topic=294641.msg1402
276#msg1402276 date=1751103134


That's how we got McIndoe isn't it?
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.


I wonder if there are any statistics which support the suggestion that such a “trap” exists…

The judgement of a manager who only signed players who performed badly against his team would certainly be questioned. I can think of a lot of very good players who have played well against us too who it would have been very sensible to sign; indeed I expect that there will be quite a few that we have successfully signed.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on June 28, 2025, 11:19:53 am
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.


I wonder if there are any statistics which support the suggestion that such a “trap” exists…

The judgement of a manager who only signed players who performed badly against his team would certainly be questioned. I can think of a lot of very good players who have played well against us too who it would have been very sensible to sign; indeed I expect that there will be quite a few that we have successfully signed.

These biases are mentioned on the FA talent identification courses I believe.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Iberian Red on June 28, 2025, 12:54:20 pm
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.

Try debating with Gazlaz rather than insulting him.
You might just learn a thing or two.
Pity his old mate Worksop Willy doesn't still post. He'd have you put in your place
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Usher wide. on June 28, 2025, 01:17:38 pm
Wonder if this is another one Grant has had an eye on for a while based on his games against us. He's put 4 goals past us in 4 games.


That’s another trap managers fall into, signing players that play well against them.

This post, along with #12 & 13, might have some posters thinking you were an arrogant pr**k who believes he knows more about the abilities of footballers than the current manager does.

Opinions I suppose.

Try debating with Gazlaz rather than insulting him.
You might just learn a thing or two.
Pity his old mate Worksop Willy doesn't still post. He'd have you put in your place

He doesn’t debate he pontificates.

Look it up.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Iberian Red on June 28, 2025, 01:37:08 pm
?tf would I want to look it up?
 It's not exactly a new word you've chucked in a post that nobody would understand.
We're you recently part of the conclave? Checking to see if the Pope was really a male?
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: BobG on June 28, 2025, 01:41:56 pm
I too value, highly, the thoughts, experience and knowledge of Gazlaz. He offers far, far more than those who seem to contribute little but emotional outbursts,

Keep going Gaz.

BobG
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: ncRover on June 28, 2025, 02:07:18 pm
Gaz is it this kid’s low % success on aerial duels and tackles you’re looking at?
They are rather low for a big lad.
Looks like he got a bit stronger as the season went on at Crewe though.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: DonnyOsmond on June 28, 2025, 02:43:25 pm
He's good on the ball.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Sammy Chung was King on June 28, 2025, 07:08:31 pm
The Blackburn fans say they haven’t seen much of him since he was signed. What they have seen some are not impressed. Say he was a strange signing as he hasn’t been given many opportunities. Right sort of age for us. Hope it works out.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Nudga on June 28, 2025, 08:24:58 pm
Usher - why are you so bitter these days?

BobG

These days Bob?

The bloke has been on here less than a year and he's got some kind of weird obsession of one poster.

Police might want to see what's in his fridge freezer.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Goole Rover on June 28, 2025, 08:37:13 pm
We’ve got a  Keeler !
I thought that was an old name for a Thorne barge skipper. I must be missing something.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: NickDRFC on June 28, 2025, 08:37:27 pm
Usher - why are you so bitter these days?

BobG

These days Bob?

The bloke has been on here less than a year and he's got some kind of weird obsession of one poster.

Police might want to see what's in his fridge freezer.

I think he’s been around a lot longer and used to post as Colin C No 3. Could just be a coincidence but a lot of similarities - ‘inverted commas’ everywhere and a pathological hatred for anything Gazlaz posts.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: scawsby steve on June 28, 2025, 11:30:43 pm
I don't think it would be too wise for anyone to call Gaz rude names.

I've heard he's a giant of a man.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Usher wide. on June 28, 2025, 11:53:33 pm
?tf would I want to look it up?
 It's not exactly a new word you've chucked in a post that nobody would understand.
We're you recently part of the conclave? Checking to see if the Pope was really a male?

My apologies, I should have posted ‘look him up’ not it up as in ‘pontificate’ the meaning of, what I meant is look at his previous posts & tell me they are not, how can I put this so that some (Nudga & Nickdrfc aren’t looking to put their ‘arms around’ him) they don’t either undermine players or the manager.

If other posters look forward to hearing his latest stats on player x, y, z & take some comfort or credence from them….whatever floats your boat but, I will ‘call out’ any poster who continually (as this one does) looks to bolster their own egos at the expense of our current squad (some who have yet to kick a ball in earnest for us) or managerial structure & player evaluation.

That’s where I lie. Not about him. It’s about me supporting the managers judgement & the players he has thus far accumulated for the season to come.

One last postscript, this is the same poster who ‘cruelly’ in my opinion when the player was going through a difficult time in his life mentally, suggested the reason he hadn’t accumulated many games before he joined us might be down to him ‘having feigned injury’ because he didn’t have the ‘mental strength’ to adapt to league football & that in 2024 before the season had even started said of Luke Molyneaux ‘He’s reached his limit as a league 1 player’ then went on to say bombastically ‘I could find better cheaper’.

So no, as ‘supporters’ go, he’s not my flavour of the month for the reasons I’ve given.

And yes, he is ‘on my radar’ (though Christ knows I’ve let many a one pass by from him) as someone I regard ‘In my opinion’ as someone who doesn’t give any insight (other than stats & put downs) into a post, just one line ‘throw always’ that I will (if I can be arsed) always pull up ‘like for like’ i.e., one line responses to one line comments, just as i will ‘like for like’ to any other poster on here I disagree with.

Too much time spent, but spent because I feel far too much is read into those who actually post so little.



Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: DonnyOsmond on June 29, 2025, 06:59:57 am
Really Usher is like Batman protecting us normal folk from Gaz's heinous crimes. Thank you for all your hard work Usher, we wouldn't be able to carry on in life without you.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: ncRover on June 29, 2025, 07:52:15 am
?tf would I want to look it up?
 It's not exactly a new word you've chucked in a post that nobody would understand.
We're you recently part of the conclave? Checking to see if the Pope was really a male?

My apologies, I should have posted ‘look him up’ not it up as in ‘pontificate’ the meaning of, what I meant is look at his previous posts & tell me they are not, how can I put this so that some (Nudga & Nickdrfc aren’t looking to put their ‘arms around’ him) they don’t either undermine players or the manager.

If other posters look forward to hearing his latest stats on player x, y, z & take some comfort or credence from them….whatever floats your boat but, I will ‘call out’ any poster who continually (as this one does) looks to bolster their own egos at the expense of our current squad (some who have yet to kick a ball in earnest for us) or managerial structure & player evaluation.

That’s where I lie. Not about him. It’s about me supporting the managers judgement & the players he has thus far accumulated for the season to come.

One last postscript, this is the same poster who ‘cruelly’ in my opinion when the player was going through a difficult time in his life mentally, suggested the reason he hadn’t accumulated many games before he joined us might be down to him ‘having feigned injury’ because he didn’t have the ‘mental strength’ to adapt to league football & that in 2024 before the season had even started said of Luke Molyneaux ‘He’s reached his limit as a league 1 player’ then went on to say bombastically ‘I could find better cheaper’.

So no, as ‘supporters’ go, he’s not my flavour of the month for the reasons I’ve given.

And yes, he is ‘on my radar’ (though Christ knows I’ve let many a one pass by from him) as someone I regard ‘In my opinion’ as someone who doesn’t give any insight (other than stats & put downs) into a post, just one line ‘throw always’ that I will (if I can be arsed) always pull up ‘like for like’ i.e., one line responses to one line comments, just as i will ‘like for like’ to any other poster on here I disagree with.

Too much time spent, but spent because I feel far too much is read into those who actually post so little.

It’s better to be wrong the odd time while offering original thought and insight than whatever it is you’re doing.

It seems some would prefer this forum to be a “shut up Grant knows best” bore fest.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: i_ateallthepies on June 29, 2025, 08:48:59 am
Interesting that he didn't comment on Nick's suggestion that he's Colin C No.3.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: drfcbenny625 on June 29, 2025, 10:22:25 am
I don't think McCann does sign players just because they've played well against us. I think he does sign players that he see's and reckons would play well in his system.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: DRFCSouth on June 29, 2025, 05:21:36 pm
Saw him against us at Crewe, and irrespective of the goal he scored, he shackled our strikers well that day. I thought we were getting nothing from that game.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Surrey Rover on June 29, 2025, 05:35:38 pm
Saw him against us at Crewe, and irrespective of the goal he scored, he shackled our strikers well that day. I thought we were getting nothing from that game.

My thoughts also and it wasn’t until after he’d been (surprisingly) withdrawn that we got the equaliser.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: mushRTID on August 16, 2025, 07:39:29 pm
An excellent start to the season!

My pick of the new signings so far. He has been quality.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: jmt23 on August 16, 2025, 08:03:54 pm
Agreed, he is quality. Speed, power, good on the ball and loves a run up the pitch. There has to be a goal threat in him too from set pieces.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: dickos1 on August 17, 2025, 05:42:17 am
He has been excellent so far this year, a real step up in quality for us
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: colincramb on August 17, 2025, 07:41:35 am
He’s been excellent. I guess stats don’t prove everything after all
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: drfchound on August 17, 2025, 08:16:16 am
Yep, I too rate him highly.
He even fancied himself with a shot from about 25 yards or so in the second half.
He struck it well but it was blocked by a defender.
It was on target though.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Alan Southstand on August 17, 2025, 08:32:52 am
Perhaps a measure of how good he’s been is the fact that I hadn’t missed Olowu until I noticed he’d scored for Stockport yesterday!

O’R and McG looked solid enough yesterday against a very speedy attack. But it doesn’t seem to matter who his partner is!
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Lesonthewest on August 17, 2025, 09:09:00 am
Rolls Royce of a player. Along with Middleton 2 excellent signings, think someone wrote he was a one trick pony, totally disagree with that.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: Ian Nimmo on August 17, 2025, 10:29:57 am
Early days yet, with some some very big games in the next few weeks, so will be interesting to see how he comes through these games.
So far looks a quality player, unfortunately only on loan.

Most had concerns about centre back position, but the players that have been brought in seem to be working well.
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: LincsRover on August 17, 2025, 12:48:24 pm
He ended up in a foot race against one of the Wycombe strikers yesterday and I couldn’t believe his acceleration - went straight past his man and easily got to the ball first. Been really impressed with him so far - as solid as a Tom Anderson, but with the turn of foot of Usain Bolt!. Cracking player.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Connor O'Riordan
Post by: GazLaz on August 17, 2025, 01:09:30 pm
I think the main difference he has made is his positioning when we have the ball. He is very high which means we condense the play a bit more than we did last season leading to retaining possession better.