Conor: Cometh the Hour, cometh the Swans
ICE-cool Conor Hourihane has warned his Swansea City team-mates they need to keep calm if they are going to carry on and make the Premier League.
The Republic of Ireland midfielder – who uses his own psychologist to make sure he remains tranquil in stormy waters – will retrace familiar footsteps in the Championship play-offs first leg tomorrow night.
Not only is Hourihane going back to Barnsley, where he played over 100 games as a young pup, but he is a veteran of three Wembley play-off finals, two of which were rewarded with promotion.
The last of those was two years ago with his parent club
Aston Villa, who reached the Premier League after beating Derby County, but only after edging past West Brom over two supercharged semi-finals.
Dwight Gayle and Chris Brunt were sent off for the Baggies – one in each leg.
“The one valuable thing I can pass on is the need for calm,” said Hourihane, who kept his head to score the first penalty that sent Villa on their way in the shoot-out at the end of the second tie at The Hawthorns.
“Everyone builds up the play-offs – and yes, they’re big occasions – but it’s about playing with a calm head and playing smart. The team who stays organised is normally the one who comes out on top.
“But this Swansea team reacts well under pressure.
“The team was top of the league at keeping clean sheets over the course of the season, so that shows an ability to stay calm and composed.
“There is a good mix in this team and we’ll go into this ready to back ourselves.”
Hourihane has scored five goals for the Swans since his January loan move from Villa and his ability from free-kicks could be critical to Steve Cooper’s stuttering side.
But if the tie cannot be settled after 210 minutes, then the 30-year-old will take responsibility and grab the ball to take the opening penalty.
He did it against West Brom and scored, just as he did for the Irish this season even though they went on to lose their play-off shoot-out against Slovakia for a place at the Euro finals.
“I’ve always been someone who wants to stand up and be counted,” he said. “I want to be a character people can rely on.
“That’s why I was happy to step up and take the first penalty for Villa that night.
“It was the same in the play-offs to reach the Euros with Ireland against Slovakia this season.
“Whether it would be the first one or the last one this time, if it goes to penalties then I’ll definitely be standing up to take one.”
Even though the Swans were in the Premier League only three years ago and finished two points above Barnsley in fourth spot, they go into this tie as underdogs.
“Barnsley have done fantastically well,” said Hourihane.
“I’m delighted for them because they are a club I’ve always looked out for and wanted them to do well.
“But now my priority is Swansea and I want us to be successful.”
If the Swans go up, then Hourihane could yet extend his stay in Wales.
He said: “I’d love to play in the Premier League again.
“Hopefully, if I can get promoted here then that may be the case.”