Ok mate. Will do. You’ve been bang average! A good honest trier but conversion rate is poor.
I wonder what BWP's conversion rate was at this level. I can't find any stats on that for 11/12, I think we cared less then, but he scored 22 goals in 42 games including a long, frustrating barren spell. He also used to blorp a lot of his shots into the keeper's shins when through on goal, quite a lot like Washington does. Washington has 10 goals in 23 appearances playing up front, which if you were being generous and said he'd manage to replicate across a season would be 20 goals in 46, which isn't too different to BWP's. People seemed to like him though. One interesting difference is that Washington has 2 assists this season, BWP had 9 which surprised me. I remember he linked up well with Paul Hayes but other than that he was part of a team that actually scored goals all through it. I think Conor would have looked great in that 11/12 team to be honest, and probably would have looked just as bad at Championship level as BWP did. It's amazing the way perceptions change though, we remember BWP as a great goalscorer for us despite the 12 consecutive league games (plus one he was dropped for) where he didn't score. It's not like he didn't have chances in those games, he missed them all. But then we won 7 and lost 1 of those games so we didn't feel it the same. This current team is so bad at generating goals that every chance Washington misses is 50-100% of the chances we get all game and people turn on him. I don't think it's likely he'd hit 20 goals this season if he'd played this way all along but it's interesting how harsh people are to Washington as a striker a promotion team can't possibly go up with and how we wish we had a player like BWP. I think we'd hate BWP in this team the same as we do the rest of them
I've just thought about this again, and it's actually a really interesting run of results. In the period where BWP played but didn't score (I'm only counting the long barren run here) we played 12, won 7, drew 4, lost 1. That's about a quarter of the season, just a little bit more. If you extrapolate that out you get played 48, won 28, drew 14, lost 4. Obviously that's two games more than we played, but that would leave us with 100 points after 48 games. Our actual season wasn't too different to that at all; we won 30, drew 11 and lost 5, gaining 101 points. If you take the harshest route and knock 6 points off for those two extra games then you still end up at 94 points, which still would have won the league. That was all without our key striker doing anything much at all. He provided one assist in that period (which I've just looked at and it's barely an assist. BWP runs the ball into the goalkeeper and it bounces out to Ephraim to put it in. That's less of an assist than the guy who blew a train whistle and put Gaston Ramirez off against Boro in 2016) Mostly in that stretch BWP missed chances and was a bit of a pain in the arse to watch, but we still beat the teams who ended up 2nd, 3rd and 4th and 5th in that period. That's insane. Genuinely bonkers. We only lost so many games because we got a bit squeaky at the end and lost 3 games in March before waking up again. BWP scored 3 goals in March, which was our worst PPG return of any month, including in a 4-2 loss. This isn't to say he wasn't a good player but we didn't rely on him to win games, he just helped. He scored the odd goal, by which I mean the goal that we wouldn't have got points without, in 5 games. Of course his other goals were more significant than that, but we didn't need him to make sure we won games, he was a cog in a brilliant system, as opposed to our strikers now who need to score or the team doesn't get points.
When we play teams that try to press high, he is particularly useful as he is somebody who can get behind them. He is IMO less effective against teams that play deeper, but he is worth a place in the squad as he is decent for the level and provides options.
That's one of the reasons why him and Stockley are probably better than the sum of the parts as a pair. If you defend too deep to stop Washington running in behind Stockley is winning headers on the edge of the area, or even worse that gray area where "should the keeper come for it? ".
You want to play a high line against Stockley and a deeper one against Washington.
That point about playing a high line - that is where I think we should be making more of Washington's movement and running. Not just from the occasional Stockley flick-ons or hasty hoofed balls from MacGillivray. We need better link-up from midfield. Maybe Fraser will provide it going forward.
We already need that alusive key goal scoring forward (small nippy poacher type TM: Golfie), why put ourselves in the position of then needing to replace the 3rd choice when hes already here and keen to stay on.
If we let what should be our first choice backup 11 goal forward walk away without a fight, then that'll say more about our summe plans to me personally.
I doubt we'll find 30 goals in the summer plus the other 5 (minimum) starters that we need, at least not cheaply (plus you know, recruitment is questionable)
I'm going to nail my colours to the mast: I'm a big Conor Washington fan and I'd love him to stay.
These days there are plenty of categories of statistics that people like to use to either back their case or demolish someone else's.
"Only 2 assists for Washington this season"
Officially, as far as the stats are concerned where it's only recorded who laid on the final pass for the goal.
Who chases down a hopeful upfield clearance and either wins the ball or puts the defender under pressure that causes a turnover of possession, that ultimately leads to a goal? Conor doesn't get a "stat" for that but without him the goal doesn't get scored.
"We can do much better than him"
Blimey, we're in Division Three for goodness' sake! With a less-than-impressive midfield. And an accident-prone defence.
We could have two or three of the finest strikers in the land but if the eight or nine blokes behind them are dropping their bundle week-in, week-out your front guys hint got a hope in hell of leading us to promotion.
Do I think Washy is going to be a 25/30-goal-a-year striker for us? Probably not.
Do I think we are a better side with him in the team? Yep. Even if he isn't starting matches I'd want him on the bench as an impact player in the second half, to chase down lost causes, stretch defences, and do the running that others can't/won't do.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
When we play teams that try to press high, he is particularly useful as he is somebody who can get behind them. He is IMO less effective against teams that play deeper, but he is worth a place in the squad as he is decent for the level and provides options.
That's one of the reasons why him and Stockley are probably better than the sum of the parts as a pair. If you defend too deep to stop Washington running in behind Stockley is winning headers on the edge of the area, or even worse that gray area where "should the keeper come for it? ".
You want to play a high line against Stockley and a deeper one against Washington.
Agree. Washington goal when he chipped the keeper from Mac's quick kick out showed what Conor can do when he gets past the last defender when a team play a high line.
Earlier in the season and even now Defenders seem to read Washington and block his shots when they are playing deep. This is mainly because the opposition analysts know he will always try to get on to his right foot. The exception was the away cup tie at Gateshead when he crossed the ball with his left foot and Stockley buried the header.
Depending on his wage demands he should be offered a new contract. Unless we bring in better and goal scorer cost money or else we take a chance on a young player in our academy or emulate Peterborough who over decades found strikers from the lower League to score a hatful of goals in League 1.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Who on this thread has been advocating for him as first choice though? As far as I can tell pretty much everyone sees him as an effective squad member and is hoping we sign a better striker to start next season
The consensus is Conor is worthy of being one of the 5 strikers along with Stockley, Aneke( he plays more minutes we score more goals) Kanu if we can ban scouts!) and AN other who is the fast strong 22 or 23 year old who has been a success in the National League and League 2 and is ready to step up to prove he is the next Vardy, Holt or Lambert (in your Dreams Sam)
One of the 5 to play in a two up front depending on form, fitness and the opposition. High line or 11 men behind t he ball ect. For Conor, better as most of us agree, when there is space to run in behind.
I have supported CAFC for 35+ years and seen some amazing strikers for us over that time, Mendonca, Bent, Euell, Kermogant, Di Canio (briefly in flashes) etc and some right old dross, Church, Abbott, Parzyszek to hame but a tiny few. Now Washington is not Clive Mendonca but he is a country Mike ahead of some of the shit I have had to watch over those 35+ years in both effort and return. I think he is a good option to have from 4-5 striker options and don’t want to box him in at 3-4 or 5. Let the strikers’ form dictate who gets their place… KEEP and 2 years for me.
I sometimes look at a forward and think whatever else is he a pain in the arse for defenders, does he need watching all the time or does he drift out of games? I think Washington occupies plenty of attention from defenders, is not one of those louche style forwards who are there but only get noticed when they deign to wake up and score a goal with one excellent moment. Whatever Washington does get he generally earns, not much is put on a plate for him. In our position I think keeping hold of him is a no brainer.
PPG in games Washington has started: 44/27 = 1.62ppg = 75pts in a season
PPG in games Washington did not start: 12/17 = 0.71ppg = 32pts in a season
He's a good player at this level and deserves a squad place in a team chasing promotion. This current, awful squad would be in a world of pain without him.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
Don’t think Gary Lineker’s conversion rate was that good. Scored plenty and missed plenty.
A good striker gets in the right positions - and often. Not every effort will go in - no striker scores with every shot. When I watched the Hales hat trick game against Hull on ITV4 a couple of months back, I was surprised to see that Killer missed 4 or 5 good chances as well as scoring three.
Washington’s 1 in 2 strike right is excellent, and the fact that he gets in the right place so often should be applauded. Inevitably, he will miss some of those chances.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
Absolute no brainer to stay IMHO. A hard worker, in the guise of Johnny Robinson, but of course not at that level. We are mid table league one, other London clubs are miles ahead of us so we have no pulling power for talent. Suspect those who want him out also thought Sean Dyche may come to us now he's free. Dose of realism needed, Washington at this level is a good player.
I genuinely do not know what dimension some people are living in if they want rid of Washington. If we can add another good striker to the squad I'd be willing to bet the vast majority of teams in League 1 next year would be envious of having Stockley, Washington, Aneke plus 1 more.
Whether we use them in the right way and we have enough quality from midfield and the wings supplying them is another matter entirely. It's a credit to Stockley and Washington they've scored as many as they have this year given the supporting cast behind them.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
We all think we can, but no club at this level has four of five strikers at the level of Yann and Taylor. You’d never keep them all happy and that’s budget that can be used elsewhere. Very few are saying sign him up as first choice.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
We all think we can, but no club at this level has four of five strikers at the level of Yann and Taylor. You’d never keep them all happy and that’s budget that can be used elsewhere. Very few are saying sign him up as first choice.
What wages will Washington be demanding?
He has been a first choice player, perhaps he wants first-team wages hampering our chances of signing a first-team regular capable of creating and scoring goals.
He is also 29, looking for his final payday and couple of years contract you would imagine.
Agree that has to be considered. If he wants an unrealistic increase then we probably will let him go. I can’t see him attracting Championship interest though or the big spenders in this league, would expect them to go for younger longer term signings.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
No one has said this though. Certainly there are strikers who would be better as a first choice. There are very few who would be better as back up/substitute options AND willing to sign as such however.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
Who thinks that?
The person repeatedly demanding for players better than Washington we could sign perhaps?
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
Who thinks that?
The person repeatedly demanding for players better than Washington we could sign perhaps?
Because you can't name any! Give me names of realistic targets that we can sign that mean we no longer require the services of One Conor Washington.
You claim our budget means we can sign anyone we like in League 1, and I argue that's anything but the truth. TS is running is club on a tight budget. Our "size" means nothing, how are we any bigger than half the clubs in League 1? Because we have a stadium we struggle to even half fill? Because we were in the Premier League 15 years ago? We've been in League 1 for the past decade more than any other league, so pray tell how that makes us bigger and more attractive than Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, Ipswich, Wigan, Portsmouth, hell even someone like Doncaster, not to mention the teams coming down next season like Derby and Barnsley.
We are a mediocre League 1 club with a modestly big budget and the added weight of pressure from fans thinking we're still some Billy Big Bollocks club at this level, and it's simply not true.
Washington isn't the best striker in this league, but he's good enough to be a part of a squad looking to get promoted, and we won't find a better player to be that 3rd/4th choice striker, guaranteed
Washington saying I want a contract extension, I hope he gets one, if played in the right formation 15 goals next season, Stockley 20+ a few decent additions chipping in with another 10 could be a good season.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Again, name 3 players who are willing to come here, and we would be willing to sign, who are a marked improvement over Washington
With our budget and the size of our club we could sign any player in a League One side if we wanted to put our money where our mouth is.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
Who thinks that?
The person repeatedly demanding for players better than Washington we could sign perhaps?
Because you can't name any! Give me names of realistic targets that we can sign that mean we no longer require the services of One Conor Washington.
You claim our budget means we can sign anyone we like in League 1, and I argue that's anything but the truth. TS is running is club on a tight budget. Our "size" means nothing, how are we any bigger than half the clubs in League 1? Because we have a stadium we struggle to even half fill? Because we were in the Premier League 15 years ago? We've been in League 1 for the past decade more than any other league, so pray tell how that makes us bigger and more attractive than Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, Ipswich, Wigan, Portsmouth, hell even someone like Doncaster, not to mention the teams coming down next season like Derby and Barnsley.
We are a mediocre League 1 club with a modestly big budget and the added weight of pressure from fans thinking we're still some Billy Big Bollocks club at this level, and it's simply not true.
Washington isn't the best striker in this league, but he's good enough to be a part of a squad looking to get promoted, and we won't find a better player to be that 3rd/4th choice striker, guaranteed
Have a look at the sums we spend on players and the wages we pay out.
We are in the top 6 for budget this season and will continue to be so for every season beyond this one.
We are not on a 'tight' budget at all. We have just made mistakes in the transfer window last season.
Washington isn't that 'Fox in the Box' style of player that some people think would guarantee us promotion. It's no good expecting him to be either - that's just not his game.
Washington is a very good 'team player', a player that makes the rest of the team unit tick.
He defends from the front, pressures defenders into mistakes, creates space for himself and team mates with awareness and intelligent running. Whenever we score from free play, invariably Conor has played a key role, either on or off the ball.
Maybe he should convert more of his chances, he'd be the first to admit that. But then, if he was that prolific he wouldn't be playing for a League One side, would he?
We know what we're getting with Conor. Could we sign better? Maybe, at a price - but without any guarantees that they could be more effective than Washington.
Remember, Washington has the all round game that many strikers at this level don't have.
Washington isn't that 'Fox in the Box' style of player ...
Washy is more a "Dog with a Stick" - hoof an aimless ball upfield and he'll run and chase after it, bring it back to you, and then chase again.
And again.
And again.
And unlike the number nine who throws his arms out wide and moans his arse off that the ball hasn't been played precisely to the inch of space that he was demanding, Conor will do the running all day without complaint.
In my day we used to call him a "team player". Maybe we should have more of them.
Comments
Not just from the occasional Stockley flick-ons or hasty hoofed balls from MacGillivray.
We need better link-up from midfield.
Maybe Fraser will provide it going forward.
If we let what should be our first choice backup 11 goal forward walk away without a fight, then that'll say more about our summe plans to me personally.
I doubt we'll find 30 goals in the summer plus the other 5 (minimum) starters that we need, at least not cheaply (plus you know, recruitment is questionable)
These days there are plenty of categories of statistics that people like to use to either back their case or demolish someone else's.
"Only 2 assists for Washington this season"
Officially, as far as the stats are concerned where it's only recorded who laid on the final pass for the goal.
Who chases down a hopeful upfield clearance and either wins the ball or puts the defender under pressure that causes a turnover of possession, that ultimately leads to a goal? Conor doesn't get a "stat" for that but without him the goal doesn't get scored.
"We can do much better than him"
Blimey, we're in Division Three for goodness' sake! With a less-than-impressive midfield. And an accident-prone defence.
We could have two or three of the finest strikers in the land but if the eight or nine blokes behind them are dropping their bundle week-in, week-out your front guys hint got a hope in hell of leading us to promotion.
Do I think Washy is going to be a 25/30-goal-a-year striker for us? Probably not.
Do I think we are a better side with him in the team? Yep. Even if he isn't starting matches I'd want him on the bench as an impact player in the second half, to chase down lost causes, stretch defences, and do the running that others can't/won't do.
If you really want us to be lining up with Stockley and Washington starting up front next season, you aren't going to see us get promoted.
Squad player Washington? Sure, but he should not be starting for a top 6 side.
Washington fails the eye test. People can point to stats all they want but no one can deny the several simple chances Washington misses over the course of games. He's someone that can't be trusted to be clinical and the lack of assists between him and Stockley implies they don't really link well together either.
Agree.
Washington goal when he chipped the keeper from Mac's quick kick out showed what Conor can do when he gets past the last defender when a team play a high line.
Earlier in the season and even now Defenders seem to read Washington and block his shots when they are playing deep.
This is mainly because the opposition analysts know he will always try to get on to his right foot. The exception was the away cup tie at Gateshead when he crossed the ball with his left foot and Stockley buried the header.
Depending on his wage demands he should be offered a new contract. Unless we bring in better and goal scorer cost money or else we take a chance on a young player in our academy or emulate Peterborough who over decades found strikers from the lower League to score a hatful of goals in League 1.
Vardy, Holt or Lambert (in your Dreams Sam)
One of the 5 to play in a two up front depending on form, fitness and the opposition. High line or 11 men behind t
he ball ect. For Conor, better as most of us agree, when there is space to run in behind.
I think Washington occupies plenty of attention from defenders, is not one of those louche style forwards who are there but only get noticed when they deign to wake up and score a goal with one excellent moment.
Whatever Washington does get he generally earns, not much is put on a plate for him.
In our position I think keeping hold of him is a no brainer.
PPG in games Washington did not start: 12/17 = 0.71ppg = 32pts in a season
He's a good player at this level and deserves a squad place in a team chasing promotion. This current, awful squad would be in a world of pain without him.
Washington’s 1 in 2 strike right is excellent, and the fact that he gets in the right place so often should be applauded. Inevitably, he will miss some of those chances.
Isn't that what our scouting department is for?
Thinking we can't do any better than Washington is basically setting a new low with ambition.
Whether we use them in the right way and we have enough quality from midfield and the wings supplying them is another matter entirely. It's a credit to Stockley and Washington they've scored as many as they have this year given the supporting cast behind them.
He has been a first choice player, perhaps he wants first-team wages hampering our chances of signing a first-team regular capable of creating and scoring goals.
He is also 29, looking for his final payday and couple of years contract you would imagine.
You claim our budget means we can sign anyone we like in League 1, and I argue that's anything but the truth. TS is running is club on a tight budget. Our "size" means nothing, how are we any bigger than half the clubs in League 1? Because we have a stadium we struggle to even half fill? Because we were in the Premier League 15 years ago? We've been in League 1 for the past decade more than any other league, so pray tell how that makes us bigger and more attractive than Sunderland, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, Ipswich, Wigan, Portsmouth, hell even someone like Doncaster, not to mention the teams coming down next season like Derby and Barnsley.
We are a mediocre League 1 club with a modestly big budget and the added weight of pressure from fans thinking we're still some Billy Big Bollocks club at this level, and it's simply not true.
Washington isn't the best striker in this league, but he's good enough to be a part of a squad looking to get promoted, and we won't find a better player to be that 3rd/4th choice striker, guaranteed
We are in the top 6 for budget this season and will continue to be so for every season beyond this one.
We are not on a 'tight' budget at all. We have just made mistakes in the transfer window last season.
It's no good expecting him to be either - that's just not his game.
Washington is a very good 'team player', a player that makes the rest of the team unit tick.
He defends from the front, pressures defenders into mistakes, creates space for himself and team mates with awareness and intelligent running.
Whenever we score from free play, invariably Conor has played a key role, either on or off the ball.
Maybe he should convert more of his chances, he'd be the first to admit that. But then, if he was that prolific he wouldn't be playing for a League One side, would he?
We know what we're getting with Conor. Could we sign better? Maybe, at a price - but without any guarantees that they could be more effective than Washington.
Remember, Washington has the all round game that many strikers at this level don't have.
And again.
And again.
And unlike the number nine who throws his arms out wide and moans his arse off that the ball hasn't been played precisely to the inch of space that he was demanding, Conor will do the running all day without complaint.
In my day we used to call him a "team player". Maybe we should have more of them.