Conor Clifford

[Fergie's Son]

Looks like a good potential. Would take some player to break into that Chelsea midfield.

[Junior]

In fairness the way Chelsea are playing of late it could be ideal for an unknown youngster to come in and take the EPL by storm......:-):D

[tricky_colour]

I love it if he got a start for Chelsea, and with 3 points out of a possible 18 I don't see why he shouldn't get a game!

[Charlie Darwin]

You'd think this would push him up the order but the opposite case is actually occurring. Players like McEachran, Sturridge and Kakuta were getting plenty of game-time a couple of months ago but now that they've stopped winning games Ancelotti is sticking with the experienced guys despite their poor form.

[tetsujin1979]

Playing against Arsenal reserves this afternoon, just scored the equaliser
from YoungGunsBlog's twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/YoungGunsBlog/status/32820349968060416

Great move from Chelsea down the right, comes back to Clifford on the edge of the box, he smashes home off the inside of the post.

[Stuttgart88]

Met a Plymouth fan tonight. They loved Clifford but couldn't continue his loan because of a transfer embargo due to their pending administration hearing.

[Charlie Darwin]

Gone on loan to Notts County for an initial one-month spell, but the article says both clubs expect it to be extended to the end of the season. Good move for him - Paul Ince seems to have found his feet again there and there's a few other Irish players around.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/notts_county/9394320.stm

[shakermaker1982]

I'll have a look out for him the next month or so. Always good to have an Irish prospect playing football on your doorstep!

[Sullivinho]

Great to see this guy getting another dose of game time. Would have liked to see him step up to the championship this time (I'm sure he could handle it) but it's all good.

[tetsujin1979]

Notts County are one place worse off than Plymouth, although with 5 games in hand over them.
I'm happy for him to get game time, and hopefully push on either at Championship or first team level next season

[SaucyJack]

Somebody went to the bother of posting his goals on Youtube,(sorry if posted already)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOahS8Dg9KM

[Sullivinho]

Somebody went to the bother of posting his goals on Youtube,(sorry if posted already)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOahS8Dg9KM

2:50 :bomb:

[paul_oshea]

Is there not enough political stuff going on in the other threads, without the need for you to be planting bombs, in this one?

[Sullivinho]

Is there not enough political stuff going on in the other threads, without the need for you to be planting bombs, in this one?

:terror:

[Predator]

Could Clifford be the next Gibson? Talented youngster with a fantastic strike, at a top club where there are limited chances of first team football.
Is he good enough to break into Chelsea's midfield?

[SkStu]

Could Clifford be the next Gibson?

i fcking hope not! :D

[Sullivinho]

Could Clifford be the next Gibson? Talented youngster with a fantastic strike, at a top club where there are limited chances of first team football.
Is he good enough to break into Chelsea's midfield?

Cracking prospect but I'd prefer if he was coming through the ranks some place like Everton. Chelsea wouldn't be renowned for bringing through or having to rely on their own. $$$

[SkStu]

great goals there. He takes his shots very early which is always a major advantage.

[SaucyJack]

Could Clifford be the next Gibson? Talented youngster with a fantastic strike, at a top club where there are limited chances of first team football.
Is he good enough to break into Chelsea's midfield?

He's already said that he doesn't expect to have a future at Chelsea, with all the players they've brought in, just a matter of where he ends up.

[Charlie Darwin]

When did he say that? There is definitely room for a couple of young players to break into that midfield, especially if Abramovic's outlay on Luiz and Torres turns out to be a once-off.

[SaucyJack]

When did he say that? There is definitely room for a couple of young players to break into that midfield, especially if Abramovic's outlay on Luiz and Torres turns out to be a once-off.

well not this season at least.

http://www.givemefootball.com/league-one/clifford-at-home-with-plymouth

[CraftyToePoke]

By a happy coincidence I was at Notts County V Exeter today, and saw Connor come off the bench on the hour mark, he looked smaller than the other midfielders on both sides, but looked immediately to get on it and pass, and did so well on the first few occasions, he also made two challenges soon after coming on, one winning the ball back, the other not, but not fouling either, he gave it away cheaply once while looking to spread the play, not enough pace on the ball on a sticky Rugby scarred surface and the opposing fullback intercepted it. On the other hand he played one really nice disguised angled ball from about 40 yards out to the edge of his opponents penalty area, which did cause problems and needed defending, it was a little flash of vision.

He lost all 3 arial duels I saw him go for though, but made one very nice late run arriving for a pullback which didnt come from Lee Hughes, who had it made clear to him that he should have passed, this was noticable in his game, he was talking to those round him a lot, good to see.

We will see if he starts the next game, his side went two down soon after he joined the action and had been poor all day.

John O'Flynn played for Exeter and put in a shift, in the chanells mostly without any real clear sights of goal, except one, which was parried and led to a goal for his side.

[The Fly]

He lost all 3 arial duels I saw him go for though,

He should've used a different font.

[Charlie Darwin]

That tallies with the reports we heard from Plymouth. Sounds like a gobby little ******* by all accounts. Nothing wrong with that :D

[CraftyToePoke]

Notts County fans first impressions http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=402&fid=17&sty=2&act=1&mid=2118413702

And some ratings http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=402&fid=17&sty=2&act=1&mid=2118413208

I just wonder if his size is counting against him at Chelsea, thay are a big side, both in height and weight, I was told today among the biggest in the country, I dont know where this can be checked (?) but it may be holding him back there. Hope not though.

[Stuttgart88]

I was surprised to read during the week that Jack Wilshere is only 5' 5".

[ifk101]

According to wikipedia Clifford is the same height as Stephen Ireland (whether that's Stephen Ireland with or without hair is unclear).

[Nagger]

He should move to Barcelona

Messi 1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in))
Iniesta 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Xavi 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in
Bojan 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Pedro 1.69 m (5 ft 6 1⁄2 in)
David Villa 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in
Mascherano 1.74 m (5 ft 8 1⁄2 in
Daniel Alves 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in

;-)

[tetsujin1979]

First start for Notts County earlier

[CraftyToePoke]

First start for Notts County earlier

Yeah, encouraging, an impressive cameo from the bench the day after he signed and a start in the next game, his corner kick resulted in an OG for his sides second, subbed on 74

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9389637.stm and the natives seem to be happy so far also http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=402&fid=17&sty=2&act=1&mid=2118373836

Wont play V Man City at the weekend.

[CraftyToePoke]

Clifford didnt start for Notts County at the weekend, another, more recent loanee Karl Regan started ahead of him. He came on after about 80 mins.

[CraftyToePoke]

He was restored to the starting eleven tonight, played the 90, an away point for his side who also had two players sent off.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9407285.stm

[Crosby87]

What are the odds that Trap would know Clifford from Adam?

[tetsujin1979]

he won U19 player at the FAI 2010 awards a few weeks ago, so I'd say he knows who Clifford is

[Predator]

I think he's the captain of the U21s too. Surely on the radar.

[CraftyToePoke]

Am I the only one a bit underwhelmed with his loan destinations this season?

To two sides just trying to stay in League 1 so far. If you look at other Chelase loanees, there is one at Swansea, Bolton, 2 at Leicester in Sinclair, Sturridge, Van Anholt and Bruma.
Man City loaned Greg Cunningham to Leicester, and more recently Ben Mee, a young CB who wouldnt have really been anywhere near first team at Eastlands. Naughton from Spurs to Leicester. Amoo to Hull from Liverpool. Fielding to Derby from Blackburn. Davies to Middlesborough from Stoke.

I hope its just ao add physicality to his game, League 1 will definitely do that, if little else. Would have been good to see him in the Champoinship.

[CraftyToePoke]

Started again today but was removed with fifteen to play by another loan arrival. A lot of players coming in on loan at Notts County, very unsettled side at present.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9407640.stm

[Crosby87]

Nothing wrong with a little competition I guess eh Crafty?

[CraftyToePoke]

Nothing wrong with a little competition I guess eh Crafty?

Plenty of that about, clearly, he didnt get a game tonight V Peterborough. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9414776.stm

[Crosby87]

Seems like he is stuck in the mud a bit right now. Can't get a game vs Mighty Peterborough? Ugh. Maybe this competition thing isn't all its cracked up to be.

[The Fly]

Clifford keen to extend loan stay at Notts County (http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/sport/Clifford-keen-extend-loan-stay-Notts/article-3312911-detail/article.html)

[CraftyToePoke]

Clifford starts and finishes, Notts County win for the first time in four.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9418967.stm

[theworm2345]

Extends his loan
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_6814600,00.html

[CraftyToePoke]

Selected but subbed off tonight in a 1-0 loss. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/9422285.stm

[Closed Account]

Back at Chelsea because of "broken promises"
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/nottscounty/nottsnews/Loan-player-leaves-Notts/article-3423588-detail/article.html

Heggs said: "I tried to convince him to stay but he decided he wanted to go back to Chelsea.
"I am not going to keep anybody who doesn't want to play for the club.
"It's slightly disappointing. He said he's gone back because of broken promises.
"I told him he would be playing on Saturday, but he chose to go back and play in the Chelsea reserves."

[tetsujin1979]

Hard to tell what to make of this, Notts County are a mess recently. Ince (who brought Clifford to the club) just got sacked, and they're looking likely to get relegated. Since moving to Notts County in February, he's played less in 13 games than in the 8 games he was at Plymouth for.

[theworm2345]

Hard to tell what to make of this, Notts County are a mess recently. Ince (who brought Clifford to the club) just got sacked, and they're looking likely to get relegated. Since moving to Notts County in February, he's played less in 13 games than in the 8 games he was at Plymouth for.
They're a point above the relegation places and have a game in hand on almost every team so I don't know that they're likely to be relegated, though I certainly wouldn't rule it out. Of course if they are Clifford would have the "honor" of being relegated twice in one season (much like another Irishman, Jamie Devitt, who was relegated three times last year)

[The Fly]

Of course if they are Clifford would have the "honour" of being relegated twice in one season (much like another Irishman, Jamie Devitt, who was relegated three times last year)

Fixed. ;)

[Colbert Report]

The guy is going nowhere, another failed prospect.

[Charlie Darwin]

*round of applause*

Who had April 7th?