Inevitable really. Bit annoyed but he's not irreplaceable. 

I suppose it depends on the situation and reason behind him leaving, if the rumours are true then I don't blame O'Connor for moving on. At the end of the day we should have signed him up during the season if we wanted him so badly.

This would be a bit of a blow to the midfield as I think the only player on our books that could drive us forward like Michael O'Connor did is Liam Noble.

I think we would need someone in midfield who can pass the ball and distribute it well, Noor Husin looks like he could be this player but he needs more time. He just goes missing more than he doesn't, so a controlling player that can move us forward is a needed.

he will be a big loss as hes a good pro, someone who lead by example and worked hard. i feel pretty disappointed by this if its true, i would imagine it is but that just adds to the annoyance of losing the captain of the squad.

If he wants to leave sod him, there are better players out there and we should be looking for them.

Good player, someone who turned games around on his day and he always looked lively. I have no gripes or ill feelings towards him, he was a good leader on the pitch for us and he served us well during his time.

I wish him all the best with his career and hope that his injury doesn't prevent him from anymore missed game time.

There had been mumbling's of him about O'Connors future, once you see that other players have signed and yet the clubs captain hasn't. Well you know there's more to it and most likely the rumours do have some sort of foundation behind them.

I will be sad to see him go..

Yes, it seemed like he would be leaving just by the way things have transitioned.

Signing Crawford and Patchings seems like the club are intent on finding someone young to grow around the team that Nolan is building. We all wondered how O'Connor would fit into the squad after returning from his injury, the midfield is pretty bloated and we have more than enough in the centre of it.

It's a shame because he looked great once he had returned. 

Well, well, well... Michael O'Connor hasn't always been this glam. He was a drab little player once. Opps, blame my goals for that!

O'Connor will be a massive loss for us, he's a model professional and just pours out experience. I think he's somewhat like the lower league version of David Beckham, he's confident and creative. This will be something new signings will have to work on, as we need to keep the ball on the ground. I wouldn't wish hate on O'Connor, I'm surprised he returned so well after his injury.

Not surprised to be honest as the longer it went on, the more likely it was to happen. The facts though are that he joined us two years ago, was average / above average for the first 5 months, really good for 3 months and then injured for a year. He came back and played a few cameos, but for all we know he might not get back to being the player he was for those 3 months.

As @Anti-Redsays, there are better midfield players available and whilst I like the fact we have brought in some young players, we will definitely need an experienced head in there. I don't see Noble as the answer, we need more of a Bishop type player.

Don't care. We have had his back through this injury and gave him a chance almost straight away. He is a really good league two player but he can be replaced. He is not Mr Notts County and I think that is maybe why he is in doubt. Also his captaincy maybe have been put in doubt which makes you wonder if Richard Duffy is in the first team plans next year ...  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44470678

Could Matt Tootle move back into midfield? I think this would help us get more pace out wide.

Ive only seen him play a few times cause of the injury but I liked him a passionate player looks like he loved Whst he did a big as far as I’m concerned. The very best of luck to him in where he gose next.

I would say Michael O'Connor was the most experienced midfielder we have, he's played the game at this level and the one above. He's capped by his country and is a fantastic player on the ball, so calm!

He will be a massive loss to the squad and Kevin Nolan will need to replace him no doubt.

O'Connors quality can be replaced but I did like him as a player, he could win the ball, get forward and score.

Almost the complete midfielder.

I have to say I am surprised but not so much by the fact he's leaving, more that he rejected a deal which is reportedly much lower than the wage he used to get. If he wasn't going to be a first team player the club should have released him, I feel that would have been logical.

2 hours ago, samwatto2008 said:

Don't care. We have had his back through this injury and gave him a chance almost straight away. He is a really good league two player but he can be replaced. He is not Mr Notts County and I think that is maybe why he is in doubt. Also his captaincy maybe have been put in doubt which makes you wonder if Richard Duffy is in the first team plans next year ...  

we do lack his leadership in the middle of the park tho now.

your right about the last bit, it does make you wonder but we need another new cb regardless. if kn does not strengthen this area it would be like failing to sign a striker last jan.  

It creates a small concern for Kevin Nolan, but one which he should be able to patch up. The captaincy isn't as big of a course as some would lead us to believe, you need a player who is respected and can show a calm head.

I feel this is a massive blow, AH and KN should’ve moved heaven and earth to persuade him to stay. I am VERY disappointed he was a massive piece in the jigsaw. Why has he been allowed to leave?

People are referring to rumours, what rumours, can anyone put me in the picture?

Gutted.

My main worry is that Duffy will now get the armband, which means he will be first on the team sheet! Duffy was neither the best centre half we had last year or anything like a skipper on the pitch we needed. It was plain to see when O’Connor came on against Coventry we had a new drive about the team.

A good leader is required now !

3 minutes ago, Truefootballfan said:

My main worry is that Duffy will now get the armband, which means he will be first on the team sheet! Duffy was neither the best centre half we had last year or anything like a skipper on the pitch we needed. It was plain to see when O’Connor came on against Coventry we had a new drive about the team.

A good leader is required now !

This is a major point. Without O'C are we lacking leadership again, because, as was said, if Duffers is given a starting berth because of that, then we are weaker than we were a week ago.

I don't want Liam Noble or Richard Duffy as the captain.

They offer the wrong type of leadership and neither really led by example. Michael O'Connor is the best captain we have had for awhile, he did it well and he was a true leader on the field. I don't think Elliot Hewitt would be right at his age either, he needs to establish himself further as a midfielder. I have notice some people on Facebook suggest Terry Hawkridge but I can't see him starting regularly.

Best option now must be Matt Tootle.

He's a loss but a fixable loss if Notts have done their recruitment correctly.

If we lack a passing midfielder that gets us moving forward, then one will need to be signed. Liam Noble should have a better season, he needs to force his way into the squad and up his performances. If he does, he can fill the role no questions.

If all the tales are true, regardless of whether any of us think he is good enough or not. Very few players at this level could afford a 40% pay cut ..... and I am saying if all the speculation is true.

Port Vale had real budgetary concerns 2 years ago, hence Duffy, Dicko and O'Connor left amongst others. O'Connor was being chased by Blackpool and possibly Sheridan may have pushed the boat out over wages when O'Connor, Forte and Collins were signed. Obviously we are not party to their wages. One would imagin that O'Connor will want to stick close to his Lincolnshire home so axis will be Donny, Mansfield, Notts, Peterborough, Grimsby and Lincoln. 

Speculation of 40% pay cut, L1 and L2 clubs can only afford what they can